I rebuilt a Hardinge Superslant SB-3-GN. I have been running it for a month now and it has produced some beautiful results. The controller was replaced with the EMC/LinuxCNC interface. I have two jog wheels, one for X and the other for Z/W.
The new control plate. Feed/Speed/Rapid controls. To be installed soon.
User interface
Cycles interface
What the PLC and servos looks like
I need to know a few things about SOP.
1. Coolant
I have never replaced coolant at a shop ever. The lathe came with a few gallons of coolant three years ago and since I got it working I have just added some water to. The coolant has blobs of grease in it. It is low on coolant. How does one clean/replace/dispose of coolant? What is the process for cleaning out the coolant?
2. Turret setup
How can I align the turret to the spindle? I placed a round-bore boring bar holder in the turret. Using a dial gauge in the spindle I found the bore out by 5 thou perpendicular to the X axis. I found the run out on the spindle to be under half a thou.
3. Lubrication
There is a pressure pot on the tailstock end of the machine. When I got the machine the regulator was leaking air. I replaced the regulator but do not know what to set the air pressure to. I cannot find that info. Not sure what oil to put in there too. I have way oil and spindle oil from my mill.
4. Air leaks
The turret and tailstock leak air. I found that the air motor valve on the turret was bleeding air heavily and replaced it. I then found that the turret lock valve was bleeding air through the valve. Not a lot, but noticeable. I am tempted to add an air valve to turn on/off the air to the turrets when the turrets are not spinning to reduce this air valve leak. Suggestions for fixing this?
5. Oil leak on tailstock
One time (only one time) I noticed a small trickle stream of hydraulic oil bleeding out of the air chamber on the tailstock. It did not trickle after that. No leaks since, but when it did leak it leaked about two cups of oil. I cannot find out why. I am keeping track of the oil in the hydraulic tank. Suggestions on fixing this?
6. The collet draw bar
I have never used a hydraulic draw bar. I have two 16C collets and one Kohm 3 jaw 170mm chuck. I see that I can change the hydraulic draw strength, but I do not 'truly' know what this means other than more pressure = more clamping. What should I know to safely use the collet chuck?
7. Spindle drive maintenance
The spindle motor is an original DC motor with 194 ohm resistance. It says it should be 180 ohm resistance. The break disk works, but I am unsure if there is maintenance for that. The gear for the encoder is a little worn. Is there any SOP for the spindle? Anything I need to check?
8. Anything I should know about SOP of a Hardinge Superslant? Challenges and tips for running it? I have read the manual a few times.
The new control plate. Feed/Speed/Rapid controls. To be installed soon.
User interface
Cycles interface
What the PLC and servos looks like
I need to know a few things about SOP.
1. Coolant
I have never replaced coolant at a shop ever. The lathe came with a few gallons of coolant three years ago and since I got it working I have just added some water to. The coolant has blobs of grease in it. It is low on coolant. How does one clean/replace/dispose of coolant? What is the process for cleaning out the coolant?
2. Turret setup
How can I align the turret to the spindle? I placed a round-bore boring bar holder in the turret. Using a dial gauge in the spindle I found the bore out by 5 thou perpendicular to the X axis. I found the run out on the spindle to be under half a thou.
3. Lubrication
There is a pressure pot on the tailstock end of the machine. When I got the machine the regulator was leaking air. I replaced the regulator but do not know what to set the air pressure to. I cannot find that info. Not sure what oil to put in there too. I have way oil and spindle oil from my mill.
4. Air leaks
The turret and tailstock leak air. I found that the air motor valve on the turret was bleeding air heavily and replaced it. I then found that the turret lock valve was bleeding air through the valve. Not a lot, but noticeable. I am tempted to add an air valve to turn on/off the air to the turrets when the turrets are not spinning to reduce this air valve leak. Suggestions for fixing this?
5. Oil leak on tailstock
One time (only one time) I noticed a small trickle stream of hydraulic oil bleeding out of the air chamber on the tailstock. It did not trickle after that. No leaks since, but when it did leak it leaked about two cups of oil. I cannot find out why. I am keeping track of the oil in the hydraulic tank. Suggestions on fixing this?
6. The collet draw bar
I have never used a hydraulic draw bar. I have two 16C collets and one Kohm 3 jaw 170mm chuck. I see that I can change the hydraulic draw strength, but I do not 'truly' know what this means other than more pressure = more clamping. What should I know to safely use the collet chuck?
7. Spindle drive maintenance
The spindle motor is an original DC motor with 194 ohm resistance. It says it should be 180 ohm resistance. The break disk works, but I am unsure if there is maintenance for that. The gear for the encoder is a little worn. Is there any SOP for the spindle? Anything I need to check?
8. Anything I should know about SOP of a Hardinge Superslant? Challenges and tips for running it? I have read the manual a few times.