PCOOL (Programmable Coolant Nozzle)

[HelicopterJohn]

Hi,

I recently purchased a HAAS TM-1P. I was thinking about adding the PCOOL Programmable Coolant Nozzle that is offered by HAAS.

I was wondering if any of you guys have this option on a HAAS mill, not necessarily a TM-1P, and if so how you liked it. I am open to any comments either positive or negative. Just trying to do a little research prior to taking a plunge into the money pool.

Thanks in advance for your valued input.

I have attached a picture of this unit installed on a TM-1P HAAS Tool Room Mill.

John

[Geof]

I think you will get some positive comments about PCOOL, but I don't think it is worth it. Get a high volume coolant pump and put in banks of nozzles squirting coolant at any location occupied by a tool. We have nozzles mounted from three sides and I think get better coverage than is possible with the programmable nozzle.

[Donkey Hotey]

I am surprised by Geof's response but he would know if it's possible. I have it. I really like it. I also agree that you could probably do fine with well placed nozzles, closer to the spindle.

My gripe with the location of the PCOOL nozzle is that you get great coverage from the right side but the cutter shadows the left side.

So if I'm facing with a 3" shell mill from left to right, all is good. The return pass (right to left)...not so good. The shell mill breaks and scatters the stream before it can get to the leading edge. I have to cover that with one of the other nozzles.

It also starved the cutter a few times on this part:
http://cnczone.com/forums/attachment...5&d=1202455104

The tall island in the center shadowed the coolant stream when it was working the deeper pockets on the far side of the part.

I'm not saying I regret it but I'm also saying that Geof's method might work just fine. I'd try more nozzles before spending the cash, though I doubt you'll regret it if you do.

[pit202]

I have it ;-) and I am very satisfied . I do lot of difference works , very small series , I use short cutters and long drills and if I do not have a TC I`m happy that a PCOL aim at the cutter and I do not have wet holders with I have to change them manualy. I have also a bank of manual nozzles with I can turn on together with PCOL.

[bigbaz]

What is the price of the haas programable coolant because i have been looking myself at an after market programable coolant called SPIDERCOOL about $2000, this has a great feature that if you have a long cutter you can set it to move up and down the length of cutter and its action helps to wash away chips.

[HelicopterJohn]

The option if purchased with your machine is $1595.00 per the attached link to HAAS’s Website.

http://www.haascnc.com/option_detail...6#VMCTreeModel

Listed below is what a friend of mine paid for his by purchasing it after the fact and buying only the parts and doing the installation himself. The only other thing he needed was a plug end as the one shipped from HAAS had the wrong connector on it. He also mentioned something about turning on a parameter for that option. He also had to make a little adpater plate to properly fit the PCOOL attachment to the quill housing.

He attached a few pictures of his installation and it looks almost too easy to be true. I checked my electrical cabinet and found the P35 connector at the very bottom of the main circuit board near the bottom left hand corner of the electrical cabinet. These are the part numbers and associated prices he paid for the items. Anyone considering doing this should consult with their local HAAS Factory Outlet and verify that these are indeed the correct part numbers and current pricing.


- HA 93-1475 "PCOOL installation kit" $695.00

- HA 25-7850 "PCOOL Bracket" $15.00

- 33-0202 "CBL200 PROG CLNT VFO-5" $58.15 (58.15 I think this included next day shipping from HAAS in CA)

I haven't verified these numbers yet with my local HAAS factory outlet, but will do so on Monday.

He had to order the plug end from another vendor and do some crimping or soldering of the plug ends. Based on the pictures it doesn't look that difficult if you have some basic electrical/electronic work knowledge. He is still looking up that information and if I find it out I will let you know.

I have listened to what others have to say about the limits of this system. If you look in the pictures he also has a couple of extra coolant nozzles that can be turned on and off for any special tools or pocketing requirements.

This may not be the total answer but it may be something that is of value to some individuals.

Thanks to all your guys for your input.

John

[Geof]

Originally Posted by Donkey Hotey ....My gripe with the location of the PCOOL nozzle is that you get great coverage from the right side but the cutter shadows the left side.....

This was the deficit I discovered. Plus when you are using a Rotary on the right hand side there is conflict between the PCOOL and the Rotary.

All my bigger machines have it because it came as part of a value option package, but on three of them it has malfunctioned and after getting one replaced two or three times under warranty I just gave up with them.

[HelicopterJohn]

Hi Geof,

Do you have any of the malfunctional ones sitting around the the scrap box that you want to get rid of? If so, please send me a personal message with details.

Thanks,

John

Originally Posted by Geof All my bigger machines have it because it came as part of a value option package, but on three of them it has malfunctioned and after getting one replaced two or three times under warranty I just gave up with them.

[Geof]

Originally Posted by HelicopterJohn Hi Geof, Do you have any of the malfunctional ones sitting around the the scrap box that you want to get rid of? If so, please send me a personal message with details. Thanks, John

No, they were under warranty. The ones still on the machines are in use as stationary coolant nozzles.

[ProductionPal]

The basic advantage of SpiderCool over P-Cool would be the "auto-drill" feature that sweeps between two points memorized on any tool you designate. It helps evacuate chips rapidly. Another advantage is you can SpiderCool to various OEM equipt. One thing I am not sure is an advantage or dis-advantage would be the fact that it is not tied into the contol or programming. On one hand...you might be pleased that it is independant of the control and if it breaks it will not shut you down- you can simply use the original loc-lines until it is repaired. On the other hand...if it does fail independently, than the machine will burn up your tooling and who knows...I think it is evident that an additional loc line on the back side of any work being being done is beneficial and sometime necessary when dealing with any programable nozzle. I am still hoping SpiderCool will help out those who can really benefit from it...I have been learning that not everyone will.

[HelicopterJohn]

One of my friends here on the Zone had a PCOOL nozzle sitting in the corner that was replaced while under warranty. After taking a second look at it he found there was an issue with the micro switch that positions the nozzle.

He was nice enough to send it to me for shipping charges and I have ordered a new cable from HAAS that will fit my machine. Hopefully it will work and I will be on my way to a workable programmable coolant nozzle.

What a great guy! Many thanks to him for turning one mans junk into another mans treasure. The Zone is full of a bunch of really nice people that share their knowledge and treasures. Hopefully, I will be able to do something for him in the future.

John

[Donkey Hotey]

My PCOOL unit had the same, exact failure with the microswitch. I fixed it myself.

I wonder how many were replaced because that little spring arm just fatigued and needed a little nudge to get it back where it belonged.