Haas TM1, TM2, and TM3

[underthetire]

So, looking to purchase and convert several TM machines over to a laser system. They will be replacing some antique equipment that is there now. (laser units will stay since they are big wattage units) Has anyone successfully removed the spindle, spindle motor, and spindle drive and still had a usable 3 axis machine? The other option is to fully upgrade the old Bosto's, but I think cost wise the Haas would be a better choice. The laser control is simple M-code, so thats not an issue.

[Geof]

If you remove the spindle motor and drive won't you have to go into the control software and do some reprogramming so the control does not know they are gone?

[underthetire]

According to limited info from Haas, its some jumpers and parameter settings.

[Geof]

Okay, and I guess the Z servo would have to be retuned for the different load.

Sounds like an innovative way to get a three axis positioning device for an existing laser.

[underthetire]

Yes, to some extent. We would use the original casting I think and run the laser tube down the spindle hole, so probably only 100 pounds difference. Since lasers don't really move Z up and down much during cuts, should be a pretty minimal change there. Biggest stumbling block I just learned of, is the new 2011 TM machines come with full enclosures only now, so that may be a problem.

[Donkey Hotey]

Have you considered a Gantry Router for this? I don't know what the size of your parts or the quantity is but, I was very much looking at building a similar setup on a GR-510 with the same thing (high output industrial lasers).

If you work with your HFO, you should probably be able to order the machine with the spindle and other stuff omitted. They can make the appropriate parameter changes at the factory so it can make it through the power-up sequence. At least that was the early discussions I had with my local salesman. We've gone in a different direction so that project died before I got too far into it.

[underthetire]

Haas said no to ordering without the spindle components. The reason for these machines is cost-they are cheap, and size, especially in Z axis. Gantry machines tend to have a larger footprint, with less Z travel. The HAAS really is ideal for this application since it uses no way oil, the 4th axis is a very simple plug and play from the factory, and the Laser guys are comfortable with that machine layout. We do have small industrial gantry type lasers, off the shelf units for other processes, but just the laser head on these is as big it seems as those entire machines. I do know one is a class 1 laser, the others IDK.

[behindpropeller]

UDT-

Where are you located?

I would love to have a full enclosure for our TM-2. Maybe we could set something up??

Tim

[underthetire]

Unfortunately, once something comes on site it can not leave. If we end up with these with enclosures, the enclosures will be thrown in the scrap steel yard and nothing I can do about it.

[taylors]

We have done this to 2 TM-1 machines. It's all just a bunch of jumper wires. I did not do the wireing my uncle did. I just tore it apart and did the machining to the casting to modify for the laser head. On another note after rereading this thread ours was made into a laser welder.

[Ydna]

I've wanted to do this with our waterjet for months now. It's a piece of chinese garbage running off a Windows NT interface that I assume was written by a 12 year old...