Syil X4 setup questions

[mikie]

I have a question on my new Syil X4.
I am trying to run my 1st job and in the process i'm noticing some behavior that I would like answered before i proceed.

I use Mach 3 to control the machine

1. I haved an R8 collet in the unit with an M8 mill bit. I initially home the unit and then jog down to machine a piece bolted to the table. What i notice is the tooling is atleast 4" away from the table. The tool is about 2" long.

Can you not machine something without a vise bolted to the table or a long R8 tool holder. My tool holder/collet is flush with the spindle bottom at the moment.

/Michael

[jalessi]

Michael,

Try jogging the Z down without a tool, that way you can see the height where the limit switch is stopping the axis.

Then you can determine either the necessary tool length and if the work piece needs to be shimmed off the table or fixtured.

Jeff...

[mikie]

Cheers Jeff for the reply,

It seems that the bottom of the spindle to the table is about 5-6", which I would think is useless. Why would it be limited so far from the table? I have to assume that the limit switch is incorrectly set or if this is the design, then why?

/M

[jalessi]

Michael,

I would check the Z axis ballscrew nut travel to see if a over travel condition would cause the ballscrew nut to disengage from the ballscrew.

Then adjust the Z limit switch position for safe Z axis travel.

Jeff...

[mikie]

Jeff I agree with you.

So after removing the back panel to check the setup and measuring the existing travel from the home position to the bottom limit, here is what was found.

Specification of X4 from Syil China :
X - 280mm
Y - 160mm
Z - 170mm

1. On my machine I found the following measurements when running under Mach 3 control.

Z axis Home --> Bottom limit switch triggered = 165mm
Y axis Home --> Opposite limit switch triggered = 137mm
X axis Home --> Opposite limit switch triggered = 270mm

**Therefore my machine is close to what the specifications say, but I would expect these to be exactly set, not close. I mean every mm counts!


2. Opening rear panel to check the "Z axis" setup showed the following:

There are 2 proximity switches which limit the up and down travel. Measuring these I see that the proximity switches are about 145mm apart.

I assume that the lower limit proximity switch was included to save the splash tray that comes with the unit. This is probably why I measured a distance between the spindle and table top = 140mm.

Now i don't understand why you would do this. I would not have a lower limit and have never put one on any of my router tables. If you drive it into the table, bad luck, your fault.

It seems that after measuring the screw there is about 380mm (15") of travel available in the screw. This means i'm loosing half the screw. Awful design - does not make sense!!

So I think I have to make some modifications to the location of the proximity/limit switches on each axis. There should be no reason why you can not run the nuts up to the limits, allowing about 4-5mm. I think i will fully remove the Z axis lower limit switch.


Has anyone else come across this issue?

Can Syil Canada please explain why they quote larger travel on their Z axis to the specs set out in China? Is this post modified by your team?

Syil Canada specs:
X - 11"/280mm
Y - 7"/160mm
Z - 11"/280mm

/M

[PEU]

Just configure Mach3 to use only Z home (top of column) this in fact makes mach3 ignore the lower limit in the Z axis.
If you want to go mechanical, just unscrew the lower tab and you are good to go, the Z axis limit switch is optical, these tabs just open the optical path of the sensor.

Good Luck


Pablo

[jalessi]

Mikie,

Disable the lower limit in Mach3 as Pablo suggested, then you can set the soft limit for Z- to the position you actually want.

Very simple solution.

Jeff...

[LEN1042]

Hi all,
The X4 I have has a Z travel of 10.375inches. The reason for the lower limit is because the air strut on the the side bottms at this limit.
Len

[mikie]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the feedback. I did exactly as you suggested. I figured this out when I was looking at the limit switches/Mach 3 setup. This actually works well as you have 2 homing positions, depending on you work height setup.

As mentioned by Len, i will move the bottom switch later to allow the headstock to come down close to the strut bottom limit. In the end i think i will change this strut over to something that allows more travel as this is the limit of the Z travel.

Has anyone actually tried using counter balances instead of a strut? I figure these struts must have a limited life.

/M

[jalessi]

Mikie,

Several users have changed the strut mounting location, its a easy fix.

Take a look at the struts that are used for the rear hatch on a automobile, the correct compressed weight and length would serve the same purpose when the original wears out.

Your local auto parts store or eBay has dozens of choices.

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Prop-It-Up__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Jeff...