Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: 6 inch 4th Axis Rotary Table STOPS

  1. #1
    Registered cuauhtemoc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    13
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    6 inch 4th Axis Rotary Table STOPS

    Hi,

    Been trying to machine a spiral groove onto round stock using the Tormach 6 inch 4 axis. It was working fine until towards the middle of the cut the 4th axis STOPPED rotating. This happened twice already and I can't figure out why. I actually caught it while cutting, programming running, but the axis was not moving and the position numbers for it were not changing on mach 3 (though x was moving, so the part is now scrapped). I stopped the machine and rotated the table manually using the pendant. For a moment it didn't move, then I heard a 'clink' and then it moved. Is there a safety clutch or some kind of controller overload turn off feature? Maybe my 4 axis needs to be adjusted? Any suggestions?

    I was cutting 1018 steel 5/8 round stock with a 3/16 ball, about .030 deep.

    Thanks!


  2. #2
    Registered TXFred's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    959
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Jog the table manually and see if it stops at the same point. You may have stripped a tooth off of the ring gear.

    Frederic
    [URL="http://www.pure-geometry.com/"]Pure Geometry LLC[/URL]
    Vertical Lathe tool holders and more.


  3. #3
    Registered cuauhtemoc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    13
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    I rotated the table a few turns, works so far. I just took off the screw for the clutch housing and found a stringy piece of 'wire' in there. I think something stripped inside, so going to have to open up the 4 axis and do a mini-rebuild. I didn't know the manuals were updated on the Tormach site, the newer version online for the 4th axis is WAY better now.


  4. #4
    Registered 300sniper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    usa
    Posts
    384
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    are you sure the table locks are unlocked? if the table is too tight, it will loose steps i've found.


  • #5
    Registered cuauhtemoc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    13
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    The table locks were loose, i keep one lever 'up' using a magnet, had it once fall into the lock position and like you said, it goes off step.

    I now have the clutch housing off, there was some kind of wrapping in there, all squashed up, it looks like wax paper or similar. The short stringy wire was inter mangled with this paper. Maybe someone was rushing to go home at the factory! (Or they put no love into their labor )

    Also, when the eccentric lock is turned ccw, the manual states I should rotate by hand, but all i feel is the backlash only to the worm gear. Should it move freely by hand??


  • #6
    Registered cuauhtemoc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    13
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    I think I found the problem, the coupling has 2 screws to clamp onto the motor shaft and worm gear shaft and it also has 2 set screws to set against the flats on the shafts. Well the set screw to the worm gear shaft was not 'set'. Since I have the 4 axis on the bench, going to figure out why the eccentric lever is not working right.


  • #7
    Registered
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    64
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    But you said the position numbers in Mach had stopped also. It's an open loop system so a mechanical problem in the 4th won't explain it.


  • #8
    Registered cuauhtemoc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    13
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Whoops, just looked over the code, it was moving to a new position via Z, so there was no A motion on the line I stopped it at.

    I am still working on taking the 4 axis apart, anyone ever do this? It's probably the same model as the Phase II 6 inch.


  • #9
    Registered nitewatchman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Birmingham, Alabama
    Posts
    168
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by cuauhtemoc View Post
    I think I found the problem, the coupling has 2 screws to clamp onto the motor shaft and worm gear shaft and it also has 2 set screws to set against the flats on the shafts. Well the set screw to the worm gear shaft was not 'set'. Since I have the 4 axis on the bench, going to figure out why the eccentric lever is not working right.
    My set screws were loose as well. Killed a helical gear being cut with Gearotic G-Code.

    nitewatchman


  • #10
    Registered cuauhtemoc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    13
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Here's a picture of the what's inside a Tormach or Phase II 6 inch Rotary table.




  • #11
    Registered
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    190
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    I had issues with mine as well. Taking it apart and seeing how everything works makes it easier to understand some of the issues. But I also have had issues where it was programmed to move and the movement did not happen even though it seemed to all move freely. I have not had this issue in awhile but plan to have Tormach run my code the next time I run into it and see if we can figure it out.


  • Similar Threads

    1. 4 axis , rotary table
      By massimo38 in forum EBAY ADS
      Replies: 1
      Last Post: 12-30-2010, 01:00 AM
    2. 4th axis rotary table
      By PinnacleMachine in forum Cincinnati CNC
      Replies: 1
      Last Post: 06-18-2010, 01:07 PM
    3. DIY 4th Axis Rotary Table
      By Cartierusm in forum General Metal Working Machines
      Replies: 9
      Last Post: 06-19-2009, 11:22 PM
    4. Newbie- Rotary table 4th axis set up
      By usfwalden in forum Knee Vertical Mills
      Replies: 2
      Last Post: 05-05-2008, 02:39 AM
    5. 4 inch rotary table for CNC, which has worked best
      By replicapro in forum Benchtop Machines
      Replies: 13
      Last Post: 07-15-2006, 11:49 AM

    Posting Permissions


     


    About CNCzone.com

      We are the largest and most active discussion forum from DIY CNC Machines to the Cad/Cam software to run them. The site is 100% free to join and use, so join today!

    Follow us on

    Facebook Dribbble RSS Feed


    Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.