VF Umbrella tool changer tilts tools

[TEntpeg]

Our 2005 VF 1 umbrella tool changer has developed
an intermittent problem of causing the tool to the
left of a tool being changed to tip in the carousel.
The pull stud end tilts slightly towards the center of the
carousel and the tilted tool can be easily seated with
a lite tap with a plastic mallet. The spindle will pick up a
tilted tool but this is probably not a good idea in the long run.
All of the tools are small and there is no service history
of major crashes.
I did a search on "umbrella" in this forum but nada.
Thanks for any advice.

Jim

[Machineit]

The tools are generally heavier on the bottom than the top. If the clamping fingers spring has gotten filled with chips or the fingers are not pivoting freely then the tool may be held but just not tight enough. When the carousel turns it would throw the bottom out and tilt the top of the tool inward.

When I bought my current VF-2, I had to drop the carousel, disassemble, clean everything and reassemble it. Works perfect now. Constant coolant splash and chips tend to gum up the works. Remember that when the coolant enters, only the water in it leaves. The water evaporates leaving the oil behind. The oil gets hard over time and makes things stick.

Check it out for that.

Cheers---Mike

[TEntpeg]

Mike,

Thanks for the tips. I will clean and inspect the
carousel.

What I did'nt make clear was that you can see the
the properly seated tool to the left of the tool
being changed suddenly pop up and tilt inward.
It is not consistently the same tool number.

regards,

Jim

[Pondo]

There is a little cover that slides over the opening when no tool is in the umbrella. I have had them get full of chips and cause something similar. I just cleaned them and it's been fine since.
It does sound like there's chips or something causing it. I know on Haas machines it doesn't matter which way the drive lugs are oriented like on some machines, but next time it happens mark up which cutout is facing the spindle. Maybe there's a burr or a chip or an undersize cutout on the toolholder that's causing it. If the dimpled side of the toolholder is always facing out, then start putting the holders in the machine the opposite way. There could be chips alongside the little block that goes into the drive lug slot as well.
Could also be a dent or misalignment of the outer housing of the changer, but you'd hear the tools rubbing as the carousel rotated. Could be chips between the door and the housing too.
If you clean out the changer, use a shop vac and not an air blast. Chips are a PITA to get out when they are blasted up in there.

[lkenney]

sorry wrong location