VMC-15 and 4020

[gbowne1]

Another auction brought me a couple other machines to add to my shop.

A VMC-15 and a 4020..

I so far am liking the 4020 but the VMC-15 is not here yet.. supposed to be delivered by the end of April. The 4020 is seeing more use than some of my other machines right now becuase of its options/features.

I'm new to FADAL's so you all could help me. I would also like to see FAQ's on both machines stikied to the forum section, or a Wiki on these.

They both come without manuals and are stated AS/IS. I did not receive the manual that was supposed to come with the 4020, but I also did not get any tooling nor much other info. Based on this, I do not think I will get the manual for the VMC-15. So, if anyone has PDF's or photocopies or willing to make some of the manuals, I would love to have this information.

I have a bunch of older lathes and mills.. Hurco's, Okuma, Okuma-Howa, Leadwell, Mori-Seiki, Mazak, Monarch and a Bridgeport Interact that I am still trying to work on. My small shop is filling up.. thank goodness that I am moving to a larger shop this year too. Passed up a toolroom HAAS to buy these at $9k and $7.5k respectively.

Again I would also like to know more about both machines.

Greg
Seattle, WA

[scadvice]

You didn't say what years they are but here is a link to all the manuals. BTW - They are free!!

http://www.fadalcnc.com/fadal_Tech_Docs1.htm

Fadals are very easy to work on. There is a lot of info in the manuals and on this site, in particular. I am currently refurbishing a 1996 VMC XT with a CNC88hs version control and just about ready to put it back together. I'm not going to go into the control differences, as there are all kinds of post here on that. Just go to the specific Fadal forum here and look through them. I'd say it will take you around three hours to read all of the post, but you will come away with a whole lot of knowledge to work with.
You also will learn the forum names of a lot of smart people who work on these machines and give very good advice. One in particular is 'Neal' who works for Fadal MAG and provides a much appreciated advice to all of us out here with regard to answering our questions and helping to solve problems.
Before you put them in service I would heed the advice a number of post have on repairing or at least checking the correct function of certain things. Two that I can think of, off the top of my head, are the draw bar bellview washers and the axis thrust bearings.
Steve

[gbowne1]

I started reading the entire FADAL forum section.

Particularly the ones just for the 4030 and the VMC-15.

I'm gonna go out in the shop and get the serial number.

Can't wait to see the VMC-15 when it gets here.

My other questions is.. I am pretty sure I need to replace the coolant and lubricants that were left in their reservoir.

Which ones do I need to buy. I usually buy Mobil and CimCool.. but I also have a bucket from Hangsterfers. Spindle and Waylube.

Thanks for the link.

Greg Bowne
Seattle, WA

[gbowne1]

Oh, yeah I forgot the VMC-15 it's from 1994. I couldnt get a good look at the S/N but it looks to be in the S/N 9402xxx series which from a google search. I need to have AMP-006 checked out before it goes in service.

There's some stuff I would like to get from their parts dept for the 4020. It is S/N 9010685.

Door Snap Latch
Door Rollers
Set of Thrust Bearings

I would love to have the Henning Chip conveyor, but it has the Midaco Pallet changer and a matsumoto 13" 1th axis.

Whats the difference between the 32MP and the Fadal 88 control?

Greg Bowne

[carbidecraters]

Mobile vactra #2 only for the oiling system....seriously you can do alot more harm with a substitute!! We use cimcool 1070 (organic) and basically you have a 88hs and a MP32 control. The hs and 32 are very similar and will take the same code. Check to see that the 88hs is in format 2 you will thank yourself when it comes to programming if it is in format 2 (you can toggel this)

[gbowne1]

I do have a bucket of Vactra.

How do you like 1070?

Where do you toggle this?

Greg Bowne
Seattle, WA

[Scanfab]

Toggle parameters by typing into your "next command" setp.
then read instructions on bottom of page how to go from page to page ect.
Press manual when done to update-restart machine main power to continue work!

[DareBee]

The MP32 would more correctly be called a "system" as opposed to a control. It still uses the 88HS machine control but it has a PC beside it that has CAM and direct DNC in it.

[gbowne1]

I'm guessing that I will have to buy some tooling for the VMC-15 machine, but I hope that it's the same as the ones used in the 4020.

Does anyone know more about AMP-006 and what would cause it to fail?

Greg Bowne

[chich2]

Hello,
Can the VMC-15 perform rigid tapping? I have seen a youtube vid where there is a VMC-15 running without tooling and it "appears" that it does a tapping cycle. Do you know if these machines do this or is it an added option.

Thanks
Chich

[scadvice]

...I have a 1996 15XT with rigid tapping. It was listed as a option at that time. There is normally a sheet in the right side Elect Cab. that list the options that come with the machine.
Steve

[carbidecraters]

Same tools same everything if they were both a cat40 or bt40 spindle (bt is less likely on a fadal). Sometimes you cant go off teh cheat sheet in the control cabinet. I have seen used machines come in that had rigid tapping but after a inverter change they dont have it anymore.