Jrill
Aluminum
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2013
- Location
- Northeast USA
Going to drive a few hours to check out two used Fadals in a few days, and I have some questions. I know asking a tech to inspect it is the ideal option, but that's not my decision to make, so, off I go.
I've been using a 1999 Fadal 2016L for a year and have done some maintenance on it in that time, so I'm a little familiar with it and where the components are and how the 88HS control works, but there's a lot I don't know.
Two areas I need insight on:
1. General tips for looking at a used vmc; what should I be analyzing besides out-of-the-ordinary issues, listening to axis movement/spindle noise, checking runtime? Should I take an indicator and check runout or spindle perpendicularity or take a piece for a test cut? What do you usually do?
2. Fadal specific tips. I actually don't know the year but they look older than the 1999 we have. One is a VMC-4020 with a Fadal 4th axis and 10,000rpm spindle, and one is a VMC-15 7,500rpm. Both have the 88HS control.
a. I have the s/n's, how do I check options? Can I do that at the control?
b. What should I be looking for as possible trouble areas/red flags to watch out for?
c. I remember reading about the Baldor spindle drives dying and hearing a lot about the 10,000rpm spindles having issues, is there a way to know if these are on their way out or if they're in good condition or recently replaced?
d. Is the 4th axis probably terrible? I've never used a 4th- what should I look for there in general besides visible backlash?
Thanks for the input
I've been using a 1999 Fadal 2016L for a year and have done some maintenance on it in that time, so I'm a little familiar with it and where the components are and how the 88HS control works, but there's a lot I don't know.
Two areas I need insight on:
1. General tips for looking at a used vmc; what should I be analyzing besides out-of-the-ordinary issues, listening to axis movement/spindle noise, checking runtime? Should I take an indicator and check runout or spindle perpendicularity or take a piece for a test cut? What do you usually do?
2. Fadal specific tips. I actually don't know the year but they look older than the 1999 we have. One is a VMC-4020 with a Fadal 4th axis and 10,000rpm spindle, and one is a VMC-15 7,500rpm. Both have the 88HS control.
a. I have the s/n's, how do I check options? Can I do that at the control?
b. What should I be looking for as possible trouble areas/red flags to watch out for?
c. I remember reading about the Baldor spindle drives dying and hearing a lot about the 10,000rpm spindles having issues, is there a way to know if these are on their way out or if they're in good condition or recently replaced?
d. Is the 4th axis probably terrible? I've never used a 4th- what should I look for there in general besides visible backlash?
Thanks for the input