Hello NinerSevenTango
Congratulations on purchasing your New Tormach CNC Mill. Have a couple questions.
There was a problem with a circuit board on my new machine. On initial application of power, it made a little crackling noise, and emitted a small wisp of smoke. "Not a Good Thing", I thought. |
Which circuit board was it that let go? The Parallel Port Breakout Board? Did you find any reason for it to crispy crittered? When this happens with a New Machine, you have got to wonder is it a wiring problem? Did you look the other way when powering it up the second time?
I did a few measurements and verified that the machine seems to be as accurate as they claim. X and Y movements stop from rapid traverse with more accuracy than I can measure with my dial indicator. Z stops dead on every time when approached from the same direction. When approached from the other direction, there is about 2-1/2 thousandths difference. This difference can be attributed to the stiction required to keep the axis stationary against gravity when the machine is off (my interpretation). I might put a counterweight or spring on it someday so that I can loosen the gib on that axis a little. In the meantime, all my machining will be coming down from the top anyway, so it's not a concern. |
2-1/2 thousandths is more than the inspection sheet suggests. I wonder if you might have some looseness in your Z Ball Screw Bearings? If you installed a Counter Balance how much do you think the Z Axis Gib could be loosened up?
The first job I have for the thing involves making a quantity of round plates, of 1/4" aluminum stock, about 4" OD, with a 2" ID, and 150 holes arrayed around it of .152" diameter. This is probably the only thing I will ever make more than one piece of on this machine. But it will be a great break-in test for sure. |
If you don't mined me asking, what are all the aluminum plates for?
I ordered a piece of 1" aluminum stock to use for a tooling plate, and a whole bunch of 1/4" stock, 12" x 32". This will allow me to make six plates per sheet. |
How are you locating the Tooling Plate so that it goes back onto the Mill Table in the same position once it has been removed?
Sounds like you are very happy with your New Tormach CNC Mill. I am saving up for one and hope to be ordering soon. Can't wait. Thanks for the help with my questions.
Regards
Willy