Problem- Tool Not Unclamped Error

[KevinV_MEI]

Here's an interesting problem for today. VMC1000-30 side tool Ferris wheel, HH426, BT40, Came in started setting up tools for a small project. Went into MDI mode, ran my tool change routine, Tool arm came over picked up the tool out of the spindle, dropped down as if to rotate 180 degrees and stopped. Alarm " Tool not unclamped" But it surely was because the arm removed it from the spindle and started to rotate but stopped. Hit CE button to clear the error, hit cycle start and the tool change proceeds without a hitch. Ok first thing comes to mind is the limit switch on the drawbar is not returning a signal to the controller saying the drawbar is released. But here's the kicker, if the toolchange occurs inside of a program that's running on the controller, no issue, tool change go off without a hitch.

Any thoughts?

Kevin V.

[machintek]

Check air in. I had a few machines that did this. The air in was clogged and when the air blast fired the drawbar came up a bit because air pressure dropped in the system and the spring washers pushed the drawbar back up a bit thus losing that switch status.
Or possibly a defective switch, the ring that thips it has moved a bit etc.

George

[KevinV_MEI]

No today it's not doing it at all. Must be air related, I have to go through the air system and make sure there are no obstructions, kinked lines, etc. It's had air issues before relating to tool changes.