Haas Machine Sizing Question

[twitte]

Hello,

I am looking at the Haas VF-2 mill for a machining application at my company. My question has to do with the x and y axis locations during a tool change. I understand the z axis is fixed during a tool change, can the x and y axis of the table be in any position? I ask this because one of my parts is rather tall and it would interfere with the tool at the z axis at 20" from the table (this is the tool change position according to haas literature). Max z axis to table clearance is 24". Thanks

Tyson

[ntcnc]

You can position x and/or y wherever you want. Are you looking at a side mount or an umbrella type tool changer? With the standard umbrella tool changer you need to make sure your work will not go under it to collide with the tools hanging down. Side mounts will swing the tool 4.5" below the spindle. I usually program X+ so when changing long tools I will program a X-3.00 move before the tool change easy as that.

[Donkey Hotey]

The 20" dimension is not your only consideration. How long are the tools going to be? I think the machine is designed so a roughly 4" tool (measured from the gauge line) can get to the table. So if you have a 6" stackup with a drill chuck and a long drill, you're in trouble.

This is something you should be talking to a Haas salesman about. Make absolutely sure they understand how tall of a part you're talking about and how you intend to fixture it.

[Geof]

Originally Posted by twitte ..... I understand the z axis is fixed during a tool change, can the x and y axis of the table be in any position?....Tyson

Yes X and Y can be in any position for a tool change and it is possible to machine parts that are too high to fit under the tools in the toolchanger, but you have to be very careful in your programming, you do lose some X travel and you have to use short tool holders. Here is a link to a picture of a holder that is made by Iscar, you don't get any shorter than this:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/attach...5&d=1126317440

The X travel is lost because you have to be able to move the part away from the spindle so it can come down to the tool change position. You also have to be careful with how heavy your cuts are because part the linear guides that the Z axis travels on when it is above the tool change position are not as firmly mounted as the lower part.