minimill air consumption

[plastibob]

Hi All,

I just purchased a 2000 Haas Minimill. I have everything up and running. I noticed my compressor is allways running. It seems that when the spindle fan is on there is a constant supply of air to the spindle (i don't have thru coolant option). I have a relatively small loud compressor and it's annoying to here it constantly turning on and running. I'm wondering if that is normal. One other note. On the back of the machine where the air comes in the pressure regulator/filter there is a port that faces the ground that was unplugged and air was leaking through that, so i put a plug on it - what does that do?

[Geof]

The port at the bottom of the regulator is to release water collected in the bowl when the air pressure is turned off and drops to zero. It is a little valve that closes, or should close, when the pressure comes on. If you block this permanently and your air has water in it you will probably get problems.

When the spindle is running and for a short while after it stops there is an air flow through the spindle. It should stop a few minutes after the spindle stops.

When the tool changer is operating there is a much larger air flow throuigh the spindle.

You need a compressor with at least 4 cfm capacity to run the machine and it will turn on very frequently when the machine is running.

You should try scanning through the posts in the Haas forum, a few months back there was a similar thread and some suggestions for an moderately inexpensive rotary screw compressor.

[Switcher]

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30462

http://www.cnczone.com/cg...4;t=000170;p=0

[plastibob]

Thanks for the info, is there a way to findout what the part number and where to order that valve that is on the bottom of the regulator

[Geof]

Originally Posted by plastibob Thanks for the info, is there a way to findout what the part number and where to order that valve that is on the bottom of the regulator

Did you take it off and clean it? I have no idea were to find it but we have really dry air so I just plugged one of mine that started leaking.

[plastibob]

yes i did, i suspected it was a spitter valve so i when I capped I put an extension to retain the water.

[1ctoolfool]

i had the exact problem you describe. The mill consumed much more air than I anticipated.

I got the leaky bowl replaced on my minimill while it was still in warranty.
you should be able to buy just the bowl or the replacement valve from Parker.

It should not leak, but spit periodically when there is water in the bowl.

But if there shouldn't be water in the bowl. If you have enough water to come out the inlet bowl filter then you are going to eventually have problems in your spindle, don't risk it.

I had the same compressor problem too but with the extra running time comes extra moisture. If you don't have dryer go get one.

I ended up replacing my compressor with a rotary with a built in dryer, couldn't find an alternative that worked aside from putting the compressor outside which wasn't an option cause i'm in a regular neighborhood with neighbors. It was a big cost but so far worth it.

good luck, joe V.