Newbie- training

[Nick Bramm]

Im located in northwest illinois and my company just purchased a Hardinge Conquest ST 220 Swiss CNC. I have a little experience with Conquest T42 Slant Bed however the swiss is all new for me. We have a LNS bar feeder for the swiss cnc. I was wondering if anyone knows of trainig classes in my area?

[gizmo_454]

I don't know if there is anyone or not. When we looked at buying a Hardinge mill about 5 years ago, they told me training would be either on site or at their manufacturing plant in Cleveland, OH.

As far as your experience with the Conquest T42 goes, unless Hardinge operates it's swisses differently than Citizen and other swiss manufacturers, you can throw most of it out the window. The turning center is all based off of work offsets and tool offsets. The swiss all seem to be based off of machine coordinates and using work coordinate shifts. At least, that has been what I have learned so far.

For our Citizen, all the turning tools must be set to a "reference position" otherwise, the machine won't go where you want it to. Again, that is my experience with our Citizen. The swiss style machines are kick butt if you can figure them out. The only thing is, they are bass ackwards compared to a turning center.

Before you DO anything, read the operator manual cover to cover...at least twice. That way, when you get to the machine, you have some idea as to what it is talking about. If all else fails, find a "buddy" at hardinge you can call that knows about the machine, usually the service/application guys are the best. There is a ton they can do, if they want to, over the telephone to help. I have spent literally hours at a time on the phone with Citizen and FMB while learning our Citizen.

I wish you the best of luck in learning the rascal!

Mike

[DCogswell]

Utilize this forum as much as possible. There seems to be quite a few Swiss experts loitering around these parts...

It sounds like you're already a machinist that understands CNC controls. The "swiss" part of your learning will take time but, learning to ask the right questions will reduce your learning curve.

The primary difference between CNC Swiss type & regular CNC Lathes is in the sliding headstock.

Secondary differences range from "Z axis origin from your part off tool" to "how to process a part".

IMO, finding training for that machine is a waste of time. Unless, you get really lucky and find someone that knows that machine. Until then, just dig in and utilize your current resources to gain an understanding.

[Nick Bramm]

Thanks for the replys. Seems like I'm going to have to grind this one out. I do have some help with a Hardinge service/application guy. I have read the manuals (all seven of them!) front to back and still having a hard time understanding them. I will have to be patient and read them again I suppose. Once again thanks for the replys.

[jmk021083]

We have a st225 on a lns... Questions?

[Nick Bramm]

I keep getiing overtravel in my Z1 axis. How do I reset my absolute position so that I can start my program with my sliding headstock in a position that won't make my Z1 axis overtravel? Or is that something to do with my bar feeder setting?

[DCogswell]

Originally Posted by Nick Bramm I keep getiing overtravel in my Z1 axis. How do I reset my absolute position so that I can start my program with my sliding headstock in a position that won't make my Z1 axis overtravel? Or is that something to do with my bar feeder setting?

Look for a G code that is "Z-axis coordinate system setting". This sets your Z axis, for Star its G120 (older Stars it's G50), for Tsugami it's G150.

I assume you have the list of G & M codes. If not, sometimes you can download an existing program from the machine, if you're lucky enough to have the previous owner leave some on there.

Good luck, I'll be on-line all day and I'll help where I can...

[jmk021083]

Should be close to the z1 overtravel and programed to go to a w position to
"rechuck". Having an existing program just to reference would help you alot. And i'm pretty sure a G50 is for setting your z-axis. I'd have to look to be positive