Crashed VF3

[Eric MFG]

Hi Guys,

We have a 1997 VF3 that was crashed pretty hard, Z rapid move and 4" shell mill right into a part. Does a striped down VF3 have a transmission? I was under the impression gear heads only had a transmission and direct drives machines have just a belt to drive the spindle? Could anyone give me advise how recover the machine?

Thanks in advance,
Eric

[Bloy2004]

Take a good tarp and drape(recover) it over the machine. This is under the assumption that it had previously been covered.

Other than that, you need to tell us what it doesn't do now that it did before the crash.

[underthetire]

Id be less worried about the transmission at this point. You probably moved the Z axis at minimum, so now the ATC may not line up, damaged spindle bearings, and possibly the taper. Call a tech in. You'll be money ahead.

[WallyL7]

Id be less worried about the transmission at this point. You probably moved the Z axis at minimum, so now the ATC may not line up, damaged spindle bearings, and possibly the taper. Call a tech in. You'll be money ahead.

X2. There is no magic recover button for that.

[Machineit]

Unless you have found a problem already, you probably have none. I have see this happen many times and no problem except the part and probably broken inserts.

Reset the servos and jog up. Remove the tool and home the axis' to see if everything looks okay. Try a tool change to see if it lines up, but should.

They are not really that fragile and the servos shut down pretty damn fast.

Tell us all of the dirty details.

Mike

[aadrew10]

Take a good tarp and drape(recover) it over the machine. This is under the assumption that it had previously been covered.

Other than that, you need to tell us what it doesn't do now that it did before the crash.

You really went all in with that one...

[Eric MFG]

The machine has no alarms when the spindle is started there is a deep clunking/rattle sound. After removing the head cover noticed there was a gear box under the spindle motor. I removed the spindle drive belt and the spindle turns smooth, free and there seems to be no play.

[haastec]

Hi Guys,

Does a striped down VF3 have a transmission? I was under the impression gear heads only had a transmission and direct drives machines have just a belt to drive the spindle?

Do you have a High and Low gear? If yes then you have a gearbox.

The machine has no alarms when the spindle is started there is a deep clunking/rattle sound. After removing the head cover noticed there was a gear box under the spindle motor. I removed the spindle drive belt and the spindle turns smooth, free and there seems to be no play.

If the spindle moves freely, it most likely is okay. If the gearbox sounds like it has a bunch of rocks in it, then you probably chipped some teeth on the gears.

[KenFoulks]

From the Haas Factory Service Team:

You can run the transmission without the spindle belts to see if you hear the same noise. If you do, then you might need a new transmission.