Haas VF 3 coolant blockage

[KartPilot74]

Im running a lot of bronze material on a VF 3 and I keep having to halt production to try and clear a blockage I cannot see. We have cleaned the gate filter and also installed an external sock filter. Yet about every couple of days the coolant just stops draining back into the resevoir from the inside of the machine. So we end up staring at a massive amount of coolant inside the machine with no clue how to keep this from happening. Help of any kind would be appreciated.

[Bryan33]

My name is Guy Williams I am a service tech with Haas Automation, Inc. I would like to help you with your problem. You said you added a sock filter. Is it our AF filter system or did you buy one some were else? I just need some info to make trouble shooting your problem easier. You can get a hold of me at the factory. 1-805-278-1800 and ask for Guy Williams at ext 7110

I look forward to helping you with this problem.

[Delw]

Guy
I believe he is talking about the part were it drains into the tank from the main machine. this is a known problem for alum, brass and bronze and fines.

Kartpilot74
the ONLY way to fix it is to take your wash down hose and have it spray on that grate section of the machine. even if your chip auger is running the grate will clog up.
I made a part(square part) like thats on the vf2ss over the y axis cover, put a male hose thread on one side (outside of the machine)bolted it to the left side of the machine just above the grate/perferations and hook the wash down hose on it. If I need to use the washdown hose I just unscrew it.

I have a ball valve on the wash down hose in the back that I can adjust for pressure/water volume.
the other problem your going to have is filling the screen up, go buy that blue plastic meshing they use for evap cooler pads and cut it out lay it in there. this will keep SOME (not All) of the chips and fines from getting into your tank the rest the filter will take out. you will have to change the screen every 3-5 days, make sure you get extras then just wash them out and use them the next change.

Delw

[Matt@RFR]

One of these might help with your problem: </title> <STYLE> a{text-decoration:none} a:link { color: #FFFFFF; text-decoration: none; } a:active { color: #FFFFFF; text-decoration: none;} a:visited { color: #FFFFFF; text-decoration: none;} *** a:hover { color: #FFFFFF; text-decoration: underline

Or make something like it. If you go that route, you can run your auger from within your program so it runs whenever you want it to, for however long you want it to, all hands free.

For the actual sump inlet, I have been using some .004" opening stainless wire mesh beneath some other type of fabric which is much coarser (can't remember what it's called, but got both from McMaster), and that keeps the vast majority of chips out of the sump. You just have to keep an eye on things so it doesn't fill up and overflow.

[Delw]

Matt on fnes it does no good, The paddle wheel thing you showed.
One thought I had was get a light wire brush (does have to be wire) and attach it to the inside side part of the auger so it barely touches the sheet metal and let auger brush it so to speak.

those grate holes are the biggest pain in the ass on the hole machine, especially if you have parts running 24/7 unattended at night.

Thanks for that ss mesh screen idea that will help me forsure. put it riight under my make shift filter.

Delw

[KartPilot74]

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I think the action to take from this point would be to install some sort of mesh or pre-filter to help, and also to get the operator on a filter cleaning schedule. Maybe two times a week, both gate filter and sock filter. What do you guys think?

[Bryan33]

If your machine is a 2010 machine I have a fix for that problem. You can email me at bwilliams@haascnc.com and I would be happy to get you that fix.

[Delw]

Originally Posted by Bryan33 If your machine is a 2010 machine I have a fix for that problem. You can email me at bwilliams@haascnc.com and I would be happy to get you that fix.

can you show us a picture or something so the guys that have 2009 or older machines can maybe make it work on there machine?

Delw

[Pondo]

I used a piece of screen from the hardware store and a couple strong magnets. I pulled the screen over my knee to form a small "bubble" that was about 6" X 20" and about 1-2" tall. I used the magnets to hold it in place over the grates. The bubble helped give more surface area so it didn't get clogged up. The magnets were strong enough that I could blow off the screen with the airgun when needed. It worked great for aluminum.

[Bryan33]

Here is a photo of the kit for a 2010 machine

[Bryan33]

I hope that helps

Please let me know if I can help you with anything else

[Delw]

Originally Posted by Pondo I used a piece of screen from the hardware store and a couple strong magnets. I pulled the screen over my knee to form a small "bubble" that was about 6" X 20" and about 1-2" tall. I used the magnets to hold it in place over the grates. The bubble helped give more surface area so it didn't get clogged up. The magnets were strong enough that I could blow off the screen with the airgun when needed. It worked great for aluminum.

Pongo I like that Idea.
were do you get strng magnets like that?
this goes over the auger correct?

Originally Posted by Bryan33 Here is a photo of the kit for a 2010 machine

Thanks alot, by chance you wouldnt have a bigger picture would you?