Moving a Haas VF1

[CAN MACHINE]

I'm wondering what needs to be done after moving a Haas VF1 machining center. I know it needs to be leveled, but is it as easy as throwing a precision level on the table. Or is there more too it. Is there anything else other than hooking up the air and electrical?

[Haas__man]

Hook up power.
Check incoming voltage.
Set transformer tappings to suit voltage.

Hook up air supply and set to 100 PSI if possible.

Levelling.

Machine is on 6 levelling pads.
Lift up the middle two.
Only level on outer 4.
Put table to centre of X and Y travels.
Level machine.
Now move the y axis backwards.
Check to see if level has altered and adjust if required.
Move Y axis to front.
Check to see if level has altered and adjust if required.
repeat until bubble stays in middle.
Now wind middle levelling screws down - and put a little weight on.
Re-check level - should not have changed.
Lock jam nuts.

Levelling complete.


Hook up coolant pipes and coolant pump cable.

Machine should now be ready to make chips.

Hope this helps

[Geof]

Minor addition to the above:

After locking jam nuts recheck level; sometimes the levelling screws move a tiny bit when the jamb nuts are locked.

[dave design]

Is there a shipping lock/bracket available from Haas? If not, just block the head with a 4X4? I have seen riggers lower the spindle nose down on a wood block, which seems like a really bad idea with ceramic bearings...

Originally Posted by Geof Minor addition to the above: After locking jam nuts recheck level; sometimes the levelling screws move a tiny bit when the jamb nuts are locked.

Originally Posted by Haas__man Hook up power. Check incoming voltage. Set transformer tappings to suit voltage. Hook up air supply and set to 100 PSI if possible. Levelling. Machine is on 6 levelling pads. Lift up the middle two. Only level on outer 4. Put table to centre of X and Y travels. Level machine. Now move the y axis backwards. Check to see if level has altered and adjust if required. Move Y axis to front. Check to see if level has altered and adjust if required. repeat until bubble stays in middle. Now wind middle levelling screws down - and put a little weight on. Re-check level - should not have changed. Lock jam nuts. Levelling complete. Hook up coolant pipes and coolant pump cable. Machine should now be ready to make chips. Hope this helps

[CJH]

All the mills come with a shipping bracket for the spindle. Generally when the machine is set for the first time the tech will come in and do the set up, and they put the bracket in the enclosure on the back of the machine.

I had inquired about the same thing when we moved our mill about a year and a half ago. I called Haas and they said they would sell us a bracket, but can't remember how much it cost. I did find our bracket though from when the machine was new. The guy I spoke to at Haas said you could lower the spindle into a wood block but it was a risky thing to do, especially if the machine was going to be trucked to a new location.

CJH

[haastec]

I highly recommend anchoring the head to the table. This is to prevent x,y, and z axis from shifting while the machine is being moved which it can easily do with the linear bearings. Get the appropriate bracket or make one to keep things safe. A little extra effort here can prevent costly repairs.
To the OP: one last check you can do is to sweep the table to check the spindle tram. Fine leveling can usually bring it in otherwise the spindle may need to be shimmed. I try not to shim more than .001" or .002".