npolanosky
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2016
- Location
- USA, FL
Will post a more detailed update later, doing everything I can to get parts out the door on my backup machine right now...
Saturday night I heard a bang and then repeated thuds while machining some softjaws. Somehow the counterweight in my '93 VF3 snapped one of the chains. It is now dangling from one chain, wedged sideways inside the column. I stopped the machine when I realized what was happening, but in a panic did not have the presence of mind to realize the chain was slack on the remaining side and the Z servo was taking all of the load instead of sharing with the counterweight.
I rushed off to tractor supply to get similar sized chain, lifting gear, eyebolts, etc, and when I got back I had a Z servo overheat alarm.
The mill had gone into Estop, dropped the head (luckily hung up before smashing my tool and vises), and apparently cooked the Z motor even though it alarmed out....so now on top of a mechanical issue I have a dead servo as well. Short to ground.
I disabled all the axes so I could get it to come up and let me "run programs" without zero returning any axes. I blocked the head and attached the broken half of the second chain to a piece of steel spanning the column.
I removed the toolholder from the spindle, manually opened the toolchanger door by removing the guide pin from the back, and retrieved my tools with M39 T# so I could use them in my other machine.
It's been a hell of a weekend. I have been up all night trying to get parts finished and start working on fixes.
Basically, I am thinking of doing the following:
-Weld up a lifting frame that fits over the column
-Attach eyebolt to weight
-Hoist counterweight to remove weight from chains.
-Place steel bar through support holes in column to support counterweight in a stable manner.
-Replace both chains whenever the HAAS parts site comes back up or I can get in touch with my HFO
-Remove Z servo, send it off to be repaired
-Removed Y servo, swap it in to the Z position while Z is being fixed
-Jog Z off table, test counterweight. If needed, this can be done before changing the chains- I'll have to see what access is like.
-Hopefully have a working mill again?
In any case, time to go machine shopping because I can't afford to have downtime like this anymore.
I will update with progress, pictures, and more coherent descriptions when I have slept and as available.
If anyone has recommendations for someone to repair a HAAS brushed servo or where I could find a replacement that won't cost a fortune, please let me know. Thanks.
Saturday night I heard a bang and then repeated thuds while machining some softjaws. Somehow the counterweight in my '93 VF3 snapped one of the chains. It is now dangling from one chain, wedged sideways inside the column. I stopped the machine when I realized what was happening, but in a panic did not have the presence of mind to realize the chain was slack on the remaining side and the Z servo was taking all of the load instead of sharing with the counterweight.
I rushed off to tractor supply to get similar sized chain, lifting gear, eyebolts, etc, and when I got back I had a Z servo overheat alarm.
The mill had gone into Estop, dropped the head (luckily hung up before smashing my tool and vises), and apparently cooked the Z motor even though it alarmed out....so now on top of a mechanical issue I have a dead servo as well. Short to ground.
I disabled all the axes so I could get it to come up and let me "run programs" without zero returning any axes. I blocked the head and attached the broken half of the second chain to a piece of steel spanning the column.
I removed the toolholder from the spindle, manually opened the toolchanger door by removing the guide pin from the back, and retrieved my tools with M39 T# so I could use them in my other machine.
It's been a hell of a weekend. I have been up all night trying to get parts finished and start working on fixes.
Basically, I am thinking of doing the following:
-Weld up a lifting frame that fits over the column
-Attach eyebolt to weight
-Hoist counterweight to remove weight from chains.
-Place steel bar through support holes in column to support counterweight in a stable manner.
-Replace both chains whenever the HAAS parts site comes back up or I can get in touch with my HFO
-Remove Z servo, send it off to be repaired
-Removed Y servo, swap it in to the Z position while Z is being fixed
-Jog Z off table, test counterweight. If needed, this can be done before changing the chains- I'll have to see what access is like.
-Hopefully have a working mill again?
In any case, time to go machine shopping because I can't afford to have downtime like this anymore.
I will update with progress, pictures, and more coherent descriptions when I have slept and as available.
If anyone has recommendations for someone to repair a HAAS brushed servo or where I could find a replacement that won't cost a fortune, please let me know. Thanks.