robodrill time..help please..

[SteveinAZ]

Originally Posted by Perry Harrington

Sounds like you need to make the machine dealer earn their money. If they can't solve this problem for you, that says a lot about them.

Your door switch is either NC or NO, so either the key switch needs to interrupt the loop or short the loop. It's an either/or choice.

I don't think you'll get Methods or any other dealer to defeat the safety switch...not what their counsel would like to hear.

This is a good time to invest in a Haimer 3D Taster...you can keep the door open and not turn on the spindle, find your edges fast and accurately, and set the offsets. It's really cheap in lieu of someone getting hurt.

Steve

[3t3d]

Originally Posted by Perry Harrington

Sounds like you need to make the machine dealer earn their money. If they can't solve this problem for you, that says a lot about them.

Your door switch is either NC or NO, so either the key switch needs to interrupt the loop or short the loop. It's an either/or choice.

Not a chance they would do anything.
The door lock has at least two switches in it.
I don't know if the PMC unlocks it, and looks at the time lag before the two switches change, or what.
Jumpering them does not work.
I certainly tried. I installed a keys witch just for that, but no go. There is some "magic" in the PMC to detect this sort of thing..
I thought it would be a no brainer.

You need to have the door open, and trick the machine into thinking it is closed.
Since it doesn't see the proper timing/sequence of the door closing with a jumpered bypass it faults out.

Did I already type out that there are two switches in there, and the PMC might be looking at some sort of timing sequence between them?

If the door is closed, you cannot open it without the PMC noticing something is "ODD"
If the door is open, you cannot trick the PMC into thinking it went shut properly.

If the machine is running properly, if you bump the door as you open it, it throws some strange interlock alarm, and the ONLY way to reset is a hard power down all the way.

If any HAS defeated them, I'd like to hear about it.


I've considered the Haimer the last time this discussion came up, but I am not convinced that is the way to go either.

[barbter]

3t,
Thinking out loud....

If you cannot change the 100 value at all, I wonder if it's linked to the parameter for setting the minimum input for spindle rpm?
Will the machine run S100M3 (door shut) or is that too low for the spindle range (our machine is 100>10000 so yours is probably 240>24000)?
Perhaps change the min parameter to 1000 (rpm) and see if that's a way round it?

I'll have a look at ours tomorrow to see if it can be changed. The book eludes that it can...

[Mud]

I've considered the Haimer the last time this discussion came up, but I am not convinced that is the way to go either.

They've been a godsend for us, even with big open VMCs. Way better than rotating or electronic edgefinders. If you can see the dial OK with your hand on the control, I recommend trying one.

[Perry Harrington]

I was talking about getting them to change the spindle RPM override so you could use an edge finder. I wasn't referring to having them defeat the door switch.

[SteveinAZ]

Originally Posted by Perry Harrington

I was talking about getting them to change the spindle RPM override so you could use an edge finder. I wasn't referring to having them defeat the door switch.

Perry, much more PC...but even an override of the spindle speed I would believe would be a bad gig from legal standpoint. It is difficult to set up with the doors closed, but can be done. I am actually surprised that a standard, manual lathe or mill are even legal with our litigious society.

Maybe time to just step up for the probe from the start.

Steve

[barbter]

Originally Posted by SteveinAZ

I am actually surprised that a standard, manual lathe or mill are even legal with our litigious society.

Steve

Steve,
You should have wrote this in way smaller text. The no-win no-fee brigade will be on to us!

[number 2]

Originally Posted by barbter

Steve,
You should have wrote this in way smaller text. The no-win no-fee brigade will be on to us!

I tend to wonder as well. But a manual mill wont rapid and squish you if your near it like a cnc can, so horses for courses.

[StreetSpeed]

Wait, so a Robodrill can't do anything with the door open? Or am I missing something? I personally would not buy a machine that couldn't be run or setup with the door open, so I guess Robodrill is out for me...

[3t3d]

If you saw, and heard what happens at 24,000 rpm.... You'd keep it locked too.

[Ox]

Yes - but 1000 rpm with door open for setup purposes should be acceptable. My Hardinges are that way. (lathes anyway - not sure exactly what the door parameters are with the mills.)


----------

Think Snow Eh!
Ox

[Seekins]

I drove to salt lake sunday and visited a couple shops yesterday that are running the robodrills.

Very impressed with the robodrill and MMT. Chris was great, the BEST sales guy i have ever dealt with and the machine pretty much sold itself. At 10k you cant hear the spindle, at 20k its just a humm and at 24k its about the same as the Haas at 12k. Surface finish on the parts i was looking at looked great. One shop was running a 3/4" 2 flute em at 10k, .15 deep 175ipm full width and it was a steel geometry garr endmil. they have been running them 24/7 for 3 years without an issue. Scary fast doesn't even come close to the speed they run.....

Hopefully i will have mine purchased today so they can get it loaded onto a truck and on my floor.

"If any HAS defeated them, I'd like to hear about it."

I might have seen a new one that would run like the door was closed, but it wasn't and its a stupid easy fix. PM me if you want, but im not posting it. just understand that its not a big deal and you CAN do what you want with the door open.

And yes, at 24k with the door open its loud....

[SteveinAZ]

Glen, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Just so you know, 5 or 6 will fit on a truck. Actually, MMT in Phoenix has had that happen...customer asks how many will fit on a truck...okay, send me a truckload. Good day in toyland.

I think 6 short bed models would fit in a 500 square foot shop. You could make some coin with that kind of work with little overhead.

Photos and video required. And no, this in not an option!

Steve

[Seekins]

I have a test endmill on the way so vid. will happen Just trying to get all the bank crap done now, cant wait until i get it and can make parts. Im going to make Haas take this VF2SS back one way or another..

[Dave Cross]

Originally Posted by Seekins

I have a test endmill on the way so vid. will happen Just trying to get all the bank crap done now, cant wait until i get it and can make parts. Im going to make Haas take this VF2SS back one way or another..

While it may be unrealistic to get your lost time and lost sales out of them, I hope you can at least get FULLY reimbursed for the money you gave them, including rigging. Congrats on the purchase, looking forward to the video

[HYPERTUNE]

Originally Posted by Seekins

I have a test endmill on the way so vid. will happen Just trying to get all the bank crap done now, cant wait until i get it and can make parts. Im going to make Haas take this VF2SS back one way or another..

Well, I'll be a little jealous when I see pics of the Robodrill on your floor, but I'll be REALLY jealous if you work out how to get a refund on your VF2SS.

[Seekins]

233 cut hours Its going to be in need of the 4th spindle, X/Y surface finish is horrible again and when i tighten the tail stock for the 4th axis to 10ft lbs the rotary flexes .004" and the bed bends .001 !! I have some ammo...and im done being nice

[Slater]

Congrats on the new machine, you will love it. Yes it’s a easy fix to be able to run them with the door open if you choose. One of mine is a 2004 and the other an 08 and both you do the same to them to make them work either way. You should get your Big Kaiser holders and pullstuds on order now because when I ordered mine half of them had to come from Japan(3-4 weeks). Also send them your facemill and them put it on one of their holders and then they will balance the set for you.

[Seekins]

Well im bummed...

I got the final papers today, had them signed, my down payment check with them and even printed the overnight shipping label so they would have what they needed on Tuesday to ship the machine.

Tonight i started playing with cad files and found that im going to be about 2" short between centers, so i cant build my parts !!

Im going to have to figure out a big bandaid until i can figure something out.

Owning your own shop is just so dang fun. You can look forward to working weekends, stupid long hours during the week and more stress than 4 single guys with their arms tied behind their backs...

I should start drinking.......

[Dave Cross]

Originally Posted by Seekins

Well im bummed...

I got the final papers today, had them signed, my down payment check with them and even printed the overnight shipping label so they would have what they needed on Tuesday to ship the machine.

Tonight i started playing with cad files and found that im going to be about 2" short between centers, so i cant build my parts !!

Im going to have to figure out a big bandaid until i can figure something out.

Owning your own shop is just so dang fun. You can look forward to working weekends, stupid long hours during the week and more stress than 4 single guys with their arms tied behind their backs...

I should start drinking.......

Geez man, thats a pretty major bummer. Is the issue you don't have enough X travel or not enough between centers? If its the latter building a standoff for the tailstock and rotary shouldn't be a big deal. But out of x travel, how did you miss that???