4th axis, what kind will work

[rob jerico]

i need a 4th axis for a project im looking at, any ideas? job is 3"diameter about 7inch long aluminum, i found this one on ebay, will it work, thanks

http://cgi.ebay.com/HAAS-5C-4TH-AXIS...QQcmdZViewItem

[rob jerico]

i forgot to mention my machine is a 1994 3016 fadal that is prewired from the factory for 4th axis, any advise would be great

[Delw]

You will need to get the cards for your fadal as well, all fadals are pretty much prewired its basicall just a set of wires running to inside the cover. but nothing is hooked up on the back end in the cabinat.

The kit will run about 2500-3500 I forget which price.


that 4th axis you have shown is a 5c collet type in order to run a 3" dia part you will have to get a face collet from hardinges or another manufacturer. Hardinge is the best hands down.

Depending on how much force you would be putting on this the face collets might not work. 7 inchs long I am guessing it wont work unless you put a tail stock at the end with a false center to support the work.


I forget the proper name for the collets basically is a 5c collet with a softmetal face that you can cut for the size you need.

[Neal]

Rob--
You will need to fit a Fadal Motor on the unit. Do you have the amp, controller card and wiring up to the bulk head and the plug in sockets?

Neal

[DareBee]

If you can find a Fadal VH 65 (there was 1 for sale here in the last year) it is very common and a decent sized unit for almost any project.

[CAD/CAM Man]

Couple of things..........

Does the job you want to run require true 4 axis movement (A + X,Y and or Z the the same time) or are you going to be indexing to an "A" axis position and then cutting using X,Y and or Z?

Reson being is this........All the HAAS indexers that I have ever seen are just indexers and are not fully controlled by the machine control. What I did not see in the Ebay add was the actual programable control unit for the indexer. If I am thinking correctly, the indexer does not plug directly into the FADAL, but rather into that control box, then your angular position program is input directly into the box, and the program is executed by a spare "M" code in the program that is running your FADAL.

Does anyone know if this changed when HAAS started to build machine tools?

If I am correct, you will need the HAAS control box, and an "M" funtion board for your FADAL before you can use the indexer. Which will not do you any good if your job requires 4 axis of simultaneous movement.

[DareBee]

Good point CCman.
The Fadal will already have a few spare Mcodes available (I believe M60 - M62). 2 of which are used for Fadals 4th axis brake (which doesn't apply to him yet).
If you are looking for cheap and index only, there are units out there that you program and just touch a button with your tool to initiate a fixed index angle.

[rob jerico]

the machine had a 4th axis already on it, the plug is there in the bulkhead and i believe it was a haas that was on my machine when i went to see it to buy, 4th axis was not included with machine, true 4 axis movement is required, thanks

[rob jerico]

what about this item
http://cgi.ebay.com/FADAL-VH65-PRECI...QQcmdZViewItem

[CAD/CAM Man]

With the VH65, you should be able to "plug and play" with fully intergrated movement after you get the axis controller card(s) that will ne necessary. Chances are very good that the unit being 11+ years old will need to be rebuilt. (new seals, bearings and the like) Buyer beware with stuff you can't check out under power.

[JoBwan]

Another thing to consider is that a collet type may also be too small for 3" Dia.? You may need to look at styles with a chuck?? Just a thought. Haas HRT-210 is what I use, and I DO need a controller hooked up as well on my Fadal 4020 and 6030.

[DareBee]

The face plate style rotary is VERY easy to install a chuck.
I put a chuck in my VH65 when I got it (from ebay BTW) and have never taken it off yet. I use a 4-jaw scroll chuck.