Need Help!- Spindle Air Leak on Haas VF-OE

[matt@wmw]

I'm getting an air leak around the spindle on my Haas, whether it has a tool in there or not. Tools aren't sticking and it's cycling relatively normal, though the air never shuts off and my compressor is working overtime to keep up with the loss of CFM's.

Any ideas as to what I'm up against on the fix, or what could be causing this?

Thanks in advance guys.

Matt

[Geof]

It sounds like you might have a solenoid valve that is stuck on.

Do you have dryers and filters on your air supply? Water or oil in the air can cause either corrosion or a gummy buildup and jam solenoid valves

There are two approaches you can try.

The first one is the easiest and is what I used to free up a sticky tool change solenoid on a MiniMill. Disconnect the main air hose ahead of the regulator and squirt methyl hydrate into the regulator inlet, then reconnect the hose, run the spindle and run the tool changer several times. Repeat this several times and see if anything improves. Then squirt air tool oil into the inlet and again run the machine.

If neither of these give any improvement you have to do it the hard way and start removing sheet metal until you find solenoid valves. When you have located them just trying giving them a good tap with a small plastic hammer and see if that helps.

If that doesn't work you will probably have to take them off and rig up some way to test them, or at least find out if they are stuck open.

[matt@wmw]

I've got an air dryer, but the nature of my problems started after the machine had to sit for several days, a few of which I had no heat on in the shop, due to having to heat the place with a wood stove.

The oil sounds like a logical fix and I'll give that a try.

I've had spindle covers off haas' more times than I can count and avoid doing it if I can, especially since I'll have to work on this by myself with no help.

Thanks for the quick response.

[mnflash]

Matt, Haas uses an air/oil mist to lubricate the spindle bearing. It is common for a small amount of air to be felt around the lower spinlde shaft. Although it shouldn't be on all the time. Normally it will be on for a minute or so when you turn on the machine. It will also be blowing while the spindle or axis are running but should stop shortly after the spindle stops. If it's on constantly check the sol. under the electrical cabinet behind the main air regulator. If you look below the electrial cabinet from the leftside when facing the electrial cabinet you should see a small gauge and when the spindle air/oil lube is on it'll see around 17PSI. The sol. valve is right there.

[sndsa]

When the Haas technician was at our place the other day, I asked him about this as both our new and old VF2 do this, exactly what mnflash said