Tool changer crash

[Vern Smith]

Last night my TM-1P umbrella tool changer forgot where it was. The changer moved to the spindle and clamped onto a tool. Unfortunately, the spindle moved up before the changer retreated to it's home position. The result was ugly as one would expect. The spindle pulled the changer up about and inch or so before the fingers spread enough to release the tool with a huge bang. The machine alarmed out at about the same moment with code 125 - shuttle fault.

I did the recovery sequence with no problem and everything works although out of alignment. I'm sure everything can be straightened out and brought into specks but my concern is the switch/sensor/gizmo that failed and will doubtlessly fail again.

I would appreciate any information on this problem, and particularly what switch/sensor/gizmo has gone intermittent and needs immediate replacement.

Thanks Vern

[Ken_Shea]

Geeesh Vern, very sorry to hear that, you still under warranty ?

[SORCHEROR]

sound like the retension fingers in the spindle didnt release the tool before lifting up
maybe a malfunction of the air selenoid,if you dont have warranty,i still suggest calling a hass service tech,as you stated the problem will repeat im sure

[SORCHEROR]

how long have you run this machine before this happen?tm-1p cant be that old

[Vern Smith]

The machine is 14 month old so no warranty coverage unless someone at Haas feels sorry for me. I'll look up the hours on the machine if someone tells me where to find the information.

I've called the local HFO and they are coming tomorrow - I hope. I'm just trying to be well informed so I can monitor their approach to the problem. I'm a pretty good mechanic and a poor machinist. I purchased the Haas manual ( $50.00 ) and could probably do it myself but I don't have any parts ( like the fingers ) and the HFO assured me they would come with all the necessary spares.

Vern

[Matt@RFR]

Originally Posted by Vern Smith I'll look up the hours on the machine if someone tells me where to find the information. Vern

Current Commands, page down twice.

[awesome83]

More than likely a shuttle in or out switch. Could possibly be a Tool clamp or unclamp switch. Either way the machine thought that it was doing the correct thing, so i doubt it was a stuck valve (if it was stuck it wouldn't have held on to the tool, and the head wouldn't move up)

Sounds to me like a shuttle out switch is bad, the head doesn't move up till the shuttle is all the way out, something triggered that switch. (short, chip, ect.)

If you would like you can remove the tools and just run tool changes and watch the DIAGNOSTICS PAGE, and monitor the switches, and see if they operate correctly.

You can also Put a tool in the spindle (manually) and watch the tool clamp and unclamp switches (in Diagnostics) to see if they are working right.

More than likely its an intermittent problem....and i would start with the shuttle switches. Hopefully your tool changer plate didn't get bent, you can try to measure it at different pockets to see if it has been.

Hope this helps

[Vern Smith]

The Haas folks arrive tomorrow. I appreciate the information Awesome83, I will be sure the Haas tech checks the switches and potential problems you are suggesting.

Matt, I'll check the hours tomorrow.

I played with it some today and it looks like whatever triggers the fingers to spread and allow the tool to be snatched up by the spindle did not function or the spindle moved up prematurely. I was only dealing with empty pockets today so naturally everything worked splendidly until I used the pocket with the bent fingers. They are bent to the point they rub the bottom of the spindle during a change. Hopefully the plate is not bent. When I get the Haas price for a new one I will probably try to straighten it.

Vern

[HuFlungDung]

The spare fingers on are pocket 15

I use 1 through 12 mostly, and once in a while I'll work backwards using 20,19,18 etc. I'll bet I've never used 15 yet

[Vern Smith]

Hu,

Those of us just learning the art of creative machining restrict ourselves to machines with less than 11 tool pockets. This way we can use our fingers without having to take off our shoes.

Your idea of reserving a pocket for spare parts has merit but a close and convenient shelf could work just as well. With full time duties on the OneCNC forum you will be a busy guy for the next few weeks. I appreciate your contribution, keeps me from becoming depressed over the situation.

Vern

[JoBwan]

Originally Posted by Vern Smith;44348/ I played with it some today and it looks like whatever triggers the fingers to spread and allow the tool to be snatched up by the spindle did not function or the spindle moved up prematurely. Vern

Vern,
I had this problem on a few of our machines. Here's what I found on the gripper fingers. If you remove the turret from the machine and lay it on a bench. Remove the stripper bolt that holds each gripper in place. Be cautious, as the grippers are "slightly" under pressure from the springs. Inside the gripper fingers there is a bushing that corrodes and rusts to the gripper itself. Probably from moisture in the air?? I would use a 5/16" punch with a hammer to punch the bushing out. Polish the O.D. of the bushing and the I.D. of the gripper, lube it and the bolt with grease, and re-assemble. It should "NOT" restrict the movement of the gripper. I would also repeat this for every tool pocket, as if 1 was corroded, there are more. You may fix one today, but tomorrow another may do the same damage. I have even put this procedure in my P.M.(Pedictive Maintenance) as a task to do on a yearly basis. It saves thousands of $$$, instead of having your HFO doing it, as it takes 3-4 hours to to inspect, polish, and re-assemble. Hope this gives you a little more insight of the "gripper problem". Good luck!!

[HAILINHAAS]

Did you do anything different when the machine crashed .. pushed feed hold, anything that would maybe contribute to it not functioning correctly. Did the tool stick in the spindle. If that tool was being used for long periods and got hot it might of got stuck in the spindle. The machine looks for the signals and does not move until the conditions are met.