Hass VF-1 work coordinate problems

[1strokedrs]

Hi I am new here but I have been checking out the boards here for a while and find it very informative.My problem is that I have a Hass VF-1 mill where I work that no matter what work coordinate you give it to read it always uses G54 in Z axis.X and Y axis seems to work fine but it always uses G54 Z axis no matter if you tell it to use G55-G59.
The way we do our set ups is indicate the work in usually an A axis or a chuck or both at the same time in X and Y then we touch off the first tool used in the program on G54-G59 Z(usually the A axis being G54 and the chuck a G55). Then we make sure that the tool length offset for that tool is at zero then touch off the rest of the tools needed in the program on the tool length offset page.
If we use only G54 there is no problem at all but if we use any other work coordinate(G55-G59) the first tool does fine in X,Y and Z but the following tools mess up in Z but do just fine in X and Y.Also if I make the work coordinate Z value zero and touch off on the tool length offset page the tool stops about six inches above the part.
We have another Hass VF-1 that we set up the same way and it is still doing fine and this one has always been fine until the other day I went to do a set up on it and it almost crashed because of this.
Sorry for the long post and I want to say thanks for any help.

[HuFlungDung]

Do you have general parameter #64 set the same on both machines? It says something to the effect "T offset measure uses work". I don't know what the diff is, because I have mine set to off, but from the setting procedure you are describing, it sounds like you might have it on? I never have tool offsets of zero, that's what makes me suspect this difference.

[1strokedrs]

I have tried it on and off with no change.The Z axis stops about six inches above the work if I touch it off on the tool offset page and leave the work coordinate on Z 0.0 either way setting #64 is set.I have tried it both ways.The only thing I can figure is something has gone wrong in the software or the parameters because the machine seems to repeat even though it is in the wrong place in Z and I have never had a problem with this machine in the past.It just all of a sudden started doing this.
Thanks for the help.

[Janos]

Hey there

[Janos]

What does A axis have to do with setting up your tool lengths? Do you have a fourth axis on board?
Are you using the "Tool Offset Measure" and "Next Tool" buttons to set your lengths?

[Ken_Shea]

1strokedrs,
This may be a waste of time, however it cost nothing but a small amount of time. I have had strange happnings on my Haas from time to time (although not your problem) as well as wierd PC computor problems over the years and have done this.

Disconnect power, I mean dissconnect, not just shut off, wait 10 minuts and re-connect power. Next thing I've done is unplug and replug all the circut boards. This doesn't always work of course but it has sucessfully fixed problems on several ocasions.

Ken

[HuFlungDung]

1stroke,

If the machine powers up and homes properly, and can change a tool properly without hitting anything or dropping a tool, one would think the Z axis is functional.

If you do a long move bringing the spindle almost down to the table, and then home Z single axis, does it return all the way back up to the top? You should be on the axis displays page (where there are four sets of axis coordinates) to check the positions when this happens.

Have you changed the cadcam software you are using recently? Just wondering if you might have an error in your tool change code, perhaps the wrong G43 H offset number is being called for the subsequent tools?

[1strokedrs]

janos I do have a 4th axis in the machine I am having problems with.I also use the tool offset measure and next tool buttons.
Ken Shea that sounds like something worth trying.
Huflungdung I have not changed a thing.The programs I am running havn't even been removed from the machine since they were last run but I have double checked my tool change codes and G43 H codes anyway.Also the Z does return all the way back up from a long move as this is one of the things I checked first.
One thing I did not think of because I didn't think it would have anything to do with the Z axis is this started to happen the very next day after I replaced the Y axis servo.Also the Y axis seems to work perfectly so this should not effect the Z axis but who knows.

[HuFlungDung]

This would be a long shot, but are you using any G10's or macro programming that might change some of the macro variables? I'm not up on any of that except to guess that modifying some of those in a certain range can perhaps get saved semi-permanently.

What does Haas tech support say?

[1strokedrs]

Huflungdung Hass would not help untill I talked to my local distributer's tech and they said to check the G52 offset to make sure it was at 0 and to try and touch off on the tooloffset page instead of the work offset, but this does not work either. If the work offset is set to o, the Z axis stops about 6 inches before it is supposed to.As for the G10's or macro, we do use some programs with sub programs but I get no change between the ones with a sub and the ones without.The machine is still operable but it is taking a lot longer to do a set up if we use a work coordinate other then a G54.It is getting frustrating because this is a machine that almost every part in the plant has to go through and it has a lot of set ups in a weeks time.

Thanks for everybodys help

[miljnor]

dont forget g92 as being a possible cause for error.

Also just to check if the offsets are realy working but for some reason off. I would set up an alternate offset like g55 (make sure its high for crash purposes ) and then make a simple drill program. See where its stops. then add 2" to the g55 "Z" and see if it moves.

If the start doesn't move then its as you think and probably a factory visit problem. If the start point moves then maybe somethin else at work here. I would go into the settings menu on a machine thats working and make sure EVERYTHING is the same as the broken machine.

That being said your probably screwed and will have to badger the factory into coming and fixing.

Michael t.


ps: if you have a new amp you can switch it to another axis and see if the problem floats to another axis (all the amps are the same) if it does get them to warranty the problem amp (make sure you switch it back so they don't give you grief)

[gar]

051024-1146 EST USA

1strokedrs:

As has been discussed if your tool change works, then it is extremely unlikely, probably impossible, that the Z-axis servo is the problem.

In Fanuc mode tool offset from the specified source is combined with G52 Z and G5X Z to determine the reference for your Z move.

Play with miljnor's experiment.

.