Z-54?

[Joe Miranda]

What does the Z-54 mean in Jog Mode?

Joe

[jpawelk]

It is used to set a G54 work coordinate for the Z axis.

[Joe Miranda]

"It is used to set a G54 work coordinate for the Z axis."

I guess that's supposed to be helpful?! You gotta be kidding dude!

Joe

[jpawelk]

I am sorry that I do not understand your question and that you did not like my response. I was trying to be helpful. What exactly were you looking for in your question?

[Joe Miranda]

My apologies JP. I didn't mean any offense. I am sure that you were trying to be helpful and your response probably would have been helpful to the majority of readers of this forum - but I am starting from square one. I have no idea what a G-54 work coordinate is or what it is used for. I know that milltronics runs training classes and that it would be real helpful for me but the reality is that I can't afford it and it's way too far away from me. I run this business on the side and am just trying to keep the creditors at bay. I will keep muddling through until I get it but I sure do appreciate your help and I was an idiot for my response to you when you were trying to help me. I ask for your forgiveness and I will try to keep my sharp tongue in my mouth in the future because the truth is that I need all the help I can get. You weren't in the wrong man - I was! Sorry.
Joe

[jpawelk]

Joe, take a look at the attached document. It explains G54 and setting tools in the Z axis on your lathe. A G54 is one of six work coordinates used to set a position on the machine. When you press the Z54 button in the Jog menu, the control will prompt you to enter a Z position. Many times, the face of the part that you are cutting is Z0, and if that is the case you will touch off your master tool on the face of the part and press the G45Z button located in either JOG or HDW. When prompted to enter a position, input 0 and then press enter. Now all your poistions are relative from that location. I hope this helps.

[Joe Miranda]

JP,

Wow! Fantastic! I could not find that description anywhere in my manual. That is really cool. I was hoping it worked that way but I couldn't figure it out. Thanks.

Joe

[Joe Miranda]

JP,

Running off a rotary phase converter, how important is it that I isolate the wild leg and which terminal do I use to isolate it?

Joe

[jpawelk]

Joe, typically Milltronics does not prefer machines to be powered by a phase converter. Many machines are capable of running single phase. In order to find out if your machine is able to be powered single phase you will have to call the Milltroncis service dept @ 952.442.1401. If you must run the machine on a phase converter, I would recommend using a Phase Perfect. As with any phase converter, you should install the generated leg of power on L2 of the machine.

[Joe Miranda]

jp

Thanks for the info on wiring. I would sometimes notice a slight "electrical" odor if I left the machine turned on without the spindle running. I called the milltronics tech department and they were extremely polite and helpful. The tech explained to me that the odor was likely caused by the spindle drive because when it is not actually turning the spindle it is trying to get rid of excess voltage. This made me nervous - especially when I asked him what could happen if I let it go and he said it could mess up the drive. So he said he believed that my machine (a '94 vintage lathe) could be run on single phase and to check all I needed to do was pull the middle wire off and if the spindle ran than I was good to go. I tried it and it works fine. I am letting the machine sit at idle right now to see if I notice the odor but so far (it has been about 45 minutes) it seems fine. Again, thanks for your help. I would be heartbroken to see my investment go up in smoke before I even have it paid for. I know that to most people it is just an old machine, but to me it is the means to making my house payment and putting food on the table.
Thanks again,
Joe