dropping tools

[kappullen]

We have a Haas VF3 that has begun to drop tools from time to time during a tool change.
Changes seem a bit more noisy than before.
They are dropping while reloading in the magazine.
Anyone had this problem before?
Thanks,
Kap

[MILLMARK]

Could be lots of things. Assuming it is an older machine with a carousel, sometimes the switches that tell the machine whether the carousel is forward or home will start to stick, and the timing will be off enough to drop tools. These are located on both ends of the rail that the carousel rides on. If they look sticky, get new ones. They're cheap, and cleaning them won't do much good. With the problem being sporadic, I'd definitely suspect these switches. Wouldn't account for noisier changes, though.

[Geof]

Check the bolts holding the vee groove wheels the carousel shuttle rides on, it is possible they are loose and the fingers on the carousel are not aligned with the groove on the tool.

Make sure everything is nice and clean inside the spindle and on the tool tapers. Wash off any gummy coolant residue and coat them with light oil.

[haastec]

Some other things to look at assuming it is an umbrella style t.c.:
- make sure the bolts for the tool changer fingers are tight
- check to verify your spindle orientation good
- e-stop right before tool reaches spindle and look to see if the t.c fingers line up with the flange of the tool as previously noted. You can pull it closer manually if needed once in e-stop.
- check the condition of the t.c. fingers, are they worn badly?
- look to see if any tools currently in carousel are not seated correctly.

If this is a side mount then there are other things to check.

Let us know what you find.

[kappullen]

Thanks for the replies.
I'll let you guys know what we find out.
Kap

[Pondo]

You didn't say if it was an umbrella changer.
If it is not, then the plunger that grabs the tool holder is probably sticking in one or both of the arms. I have had it happen before. Just clean it out and lube it up a bit.
Another problem is if you have 2 wide tools that get put into pockets next to each other. Like a 3" face mill and a 1.25" mill chuck. When the tool moves up into the carousel it will either pop out of the pocket or knock the other tool out. You can either designate one as a wide tool or take one out.

[omy005]

Originally Posted by Pondo You didn't say if it was an umbrella changer. If it is not, then the plunger that grabs the tool holder is probably sticking in one or both of the arms. I have had it happen before. Just clean it out and lube it up a bit.

This has worked for us. Also make sure there are no burs on the plunger.

Andrew.

[ryanschmidt224]

A problem we have run into is that the set screws on some of our larger tools stick out farther than necessary. It doesn't let the finger grab the tool. Only takes one time of throwing a 1.5 Ingersoll out of a high speed tool changer to figure out that one...