Just learning a VMC600 (yes, i know about 20years late)
Two questions...
1. Should air leak down the spindle all the time ?
I could understand when it was spinning, to block coolant ingress, but mine is blowing a huge amount of air continuously.
2. It's a Heidenhain controller
How to perform a tool change using the ATC ?
I see the code for it in some of the programs it has, but surely there is a manual button for this ?
Q1: I don't know a lot about the VMC600, but I have a TC22 which I believe is similar in many ways. There is likely a separate pressure regulator for the spindle air purge which you can adjust. You should check what it is set to. I think the factory setting on my TC22 was 7psi. When I got my machine it was set higher than needed. Mine causes my 60gal compressor to run every 15 minutes or so when I set it to the correct pressure.
No idea on Q2... someone familiar with Heidenhain will have to chime in!