VMC 4th Axis 7/10 or 12/14 Installation

These instructions cover installing, locating, and operating the 4th Axis on a VMC7/10si or VMC12/14si.

This procedure applies to machines that were factory-prepared for a 4th Axis.

A ready machine has ceiling connectors inside the enclosure on the right side of the spindle.

Turn off power before installing or removing the 4th Axis.

Safety Warning!! Use a lifting device because the unit is heavy.

Lift the 4th Axis using the designated lift point and carefully lower it onto the table.

Position the unit on the right side of the table, close to the table edge

Install the T-bolts, nuts, and brackets loosely. You will align in the next step.

Follow the instructions in Step 6 and 7 to connect the cables and then enable the 4th Axis software.

Using a dial indicator, sweep along a known straight surface on the 4th Axis.

Adjust the unit until the dial indicator stays constant throughout the sweep.

Once the 4th Axis is parallel to the table, tighten all mounting hardware.

Use an edge finder and a known stock height to locate X, Y, and Z:

X-Axis: Touch off the front of the faceplate. Subtract half the edge-finder diameter. Record this value as MX1.

Y-Axis: Touch off the front of your known stock. Subtract half the edge-finder diameter and half the stock width. Record this value as MY1.

Z-Axis: Bring the spindle nose to the top of the known stock. Add half the diameter of the stock. Record this value as MZ1.

This step records the three axis values you noted. Later on in this process you will be able to start or stop the 4th axis.

To access the axis information screen, at the upper right corner of the display, press [M], press “SETUP” from the left VSK menu bar then press “TrakMT Options” from the HSK as shown along the top of the image.

Press E-Stop

The TRAK Options screen will display the current status of the 4th Axis as well as the Advanced Surface and Top Surface (AS/TS) options. Press “Fourth Axis” from the right VSK

Caution: The screen will take any value, so double check your inputs in the next step.

You will now see the 4th Axis Options screen. The Fourth axis Enable/Disable status is on the first line. The 4th Axis should be disabled at this point. Set X/Y/Z position using the values you noted above to record the 4th Axis location on the table.

Highlight each axis one at a time and use the pop-up keypad to enter inputs for the three Axis then press “Accept” and “Return”.

The 4th Axis encoder and power cables should be connected to the ceiling connectors in the machine before enabling the option. When removing the 4th Axis from the mill, disconnect the cables before disabling the 4th Axis software.

Reboot machine to activate the previous settings.

Once the 4th Axis Option is installed in your machine, it is available to use whenever it is needed.

To change status of the 4th Axis, E-Stop Machine:

Enable 4th Axis:

When either installing the option for the first time or reinstalling, the encoder and power cables need to be connected to the two connectors on the inside ceiling of the machine before enabling the 4th axis.

Disable 4th Axis:

The encoder and power cables need to be disconnected before disabling the 4th axis.

Once the cables are ready for the status change, proceed to the next step.

To access the axis information screen, at the upper left corner of the display, press [M], press “SETUP” from the left VSK menu bar then press “TrakMT Options” from the HSK as shown along the top of the image.

The TRAK Options screen will display the current status of the 4th Axis as well as the Advanced Surface and Top Surface (AS/TS) options. Press “Fourth Axis” from the right VSK

The 4th Axis status is displayed on the top line of the 4th Axis Option screen. To change the status, press the second line which displays both “Enable” and “Disable” from the drop down menu. Press your selection and then “Accept”.

Reboot and release E-Stop. When the mill powers up, the new configuration will be in place.

The 4th Axis must be referenced after installation. Begin by pressing [Jog] [Ref Point] and [4th Axis] buttons on the MCP.

[Setup]->[Machine Data]->[Axis MD] Then use the [Axis+] or [Axis-] Key to toggle to the 4th Axis MA1

Once at MA1, press [Search]-> enter 34210. The parameter will initially have a value of 0

This value must be changed to 1. Press in the box where the 0 is, and update the parameter to 1.

Press the [+] key on the MCP while still in parameter window. This should change the Parameter value to 2.

Going back to Machine [M] screen should show the circle next to MA1, confirming that the axis has been referenced succesffully

This axis must be re-referenced any time that parameter 34210[0] is cleared back to 0. One of the ways this can happen is when loading an archive file from one machine to another.