Fadal VMC15 z axis limit

[Lazidays]

Hi. New to forum and new to the challenges of driving a cnc.
I have a 1998 Fadal VMC15, 88HS and a Fadal VH65 servo indexer which have sat idle in my work shop for many years.
My current hurdle is that while jogging, the Z axis has been programed to stop at -16" which has the spindle sitting at 9 1/2" from the table.
I don't have a program in the machine. My tool setter is 6" long and my guess is that the previous programmer has set the parrameters to that.
I have browsed the Trainers manual, and Users manual, but I have always had some kind of block at learning by reading. I am better at learning by doing. But no matter how much doing .... I cant seem to work my way through this riddle
After reading some of the posts on this forum I have learned that there are Hard and Soft limits that can be set to all the axis. But to add confusion to an already confused mind, my manuals also tell me there are Tool length offsets to deal with. Any help would be terrific .... aside from telling me to read the manuals again.
Christmas cheer from Australia. Steve.

 

[D Nelson]

There are marks on all the axis that you line up with the jog wheel then you do a cold start that is how the limits are set on a Fadal there are no switches on a Fadal
Don


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[Lazidays]

Hi Don. The 3 alignment marks are good. I am in need of advice on how to make my spindle get down to the table. See my first post. Regards Steve

 

[triumph406]

Hi Don. The 3 alignment marks are good. I am in need of advice on how to make my spindle get down to the table. See my first post. Regards Steve

In the parameters SETP you tell the machine what it is, it doesn't know until you tell it. If you have a VH65 then it's probably got an extended Z. Check that the paremeters reflect that.

 

[Bobw]

My first guess is that it is an extended Z, with the parameters set to a 20" Z instead of 28".

Questions.

1) Is it changing tools where Zzero is? Is the CS in the proper position. If
you are CS'ing at the upper Z limit, then you will be 4" short at the bottom, and
it won't change tools.

2) Does the tool changer at any point stick through the sheet metal at the top.
if it does, its an extended Z.

An extended Z would make sense, a 4th on a 20" Z machine is an absolute pain in the
ass.

Pretty easy to figure that out. Open the back of the control (pendant.. That's such a
stupid name) and simply LOOK at what it is supposed to be. It should be written down right
there on the inside of the door.

I'm betting that its an extended Z, and the parameters are set for a regular Z.. And the cool
thing, its not the 3rd bit of parameter Q1762 that needs to be changed from a zero to a one
on page 43 of the parameters. You just have to answer a simple question in the parameters, that
are written in plain English.. Like a multiple choice test that's only 30 questions long.

 

[Lazidays]

Hi Triumph60 and Bobw.
I think your onto something.
After reading ... does it change tools... I picked an empty tool holder and typed MD enter, M6T8 enter, and I'm lucky it was empty or it would have crashed. I re did the experiment 4 times and although the tool holder clears the locators on the spindle I sighted through to the pull studs on the tools at the back of the TC and they need the spindle to lift about
1 1/2" more, or there will be catastrophy.
I also typed in SEPT enter and the Z axes is listed as Z20. The info inside the pendant door says 28"
I can get the astrix * to the parameters Travel X40 Y20 Z20 but have bumbled around for a few hours without being able to change the Z to 28. Might need to have a nanna nap and try again

 

[triumph406]

Hi Triumph60 and Bobw.
I think your onto something.
After reading ... does it change tools... I picked an empty tool holder and typed MD enter, M6T8 enter, and I'm lucky it was empty or it would have crashed. I re did the experiment 4 times and although the tool holder clears the locators on the spindle I sighted through to the pull studs on the tools at the back of the TC and they need the spindle to lift about
1 1/2" more, or there will be catastrophy.
I also typed in SEPT enter and the Z axes is listed as Z20. The info inside the pendant door says 28"
I can get the astrix * to the parameters Travel X40 Y20 Z20 but have bumbled around for a few hours without being able to change the Z to 28. Might need to have a nanna nap and try again

On the z-axis there's a fixed marker on the column, and a marker fixed to the head. You need to line those up (and X and Y axis markers) and then type in CS at the manual prompt. Check that after you type CS it's still aligned. You can be slightly misaligned before CS'ing, if it's not aligned closely enough you'll either be too high or too low by one ball screw revolution.

Another way to change tools in the ATC is to type TC,1, then enter,the cycle start.

 

[D Nelson]

On the z-axis there's a fixed marker on the column, and a marker fixed to the head. You need to line those up (and X and Y axis markers) and then type in CS at the manual prompt. Check that after you type CS it's still aligned. You can be slightly misaligned before CS'ing, if it's not aligned closely enough you'll either be too high or too low by one ball screw revolution.

Another way to change tools in the ATC is to type TC,1, then enter,the cycle start.

I told him to set the marks and cold start it already. I don’t think he understands what’s going on
Go to YouTube and type in atman he goes thru most of the Fadal stuff and spells it out pretty descent
Don


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[D Nelson]

At-man unlimited machining is the page
Don


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[Lazidays]

Hi Don. I had aligned the marks and done a CS prior to your suggesttion. Thanks for your contribution but it wasnt the answer to my problem. By reading my initial post/description, the other guys made the right diagnosis. The Z limit had been reset to 20" to accomadate the VH65. With the information they gave, I was able to reset the Z travel to 28" which allowed me to get the spindle closer to the table. Very happy. Thanks to all for your help. Regards Steve.

 

[D Nelson]

Hi Don. I had aligned the marks and done a CS prior to your suggesttion. Thanks for your contribution but it wasnt the answer to my problem. By reading my initial post/description, the other guys made the right diagnosis. The Z limit had been reset to 20" to accomadate the VH65. With the information they gave, I was able to reset the Z travel to 28" which allowed me to get the spindle closer to the table. Very happy. Thanks to all for your help. Regards Steve.

If the spindle doesn’t line up to the tool changer the cold start position is wrong
Don


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