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

The following instructions will allow you to install, locate, and operate a 4th Axis on a VMC7/10 or 12/14si.

This installation is for a VMC that was factory ready for the 4th Axis to be installed in the factory or in the field as needed at a customer's facility. It is easy to determine a ready VMCsi because of the ceiling connectors inside the mill to the right of the spindle.

Turn off power to the machine when installing or removing 4th axis unit.

Safety Warning!! Heavy Equipment use some type of lifting device.

Install the 4th Axis unit on the table using the lift point with a crane as shown. Be careful placing the heavy unit on the table. Attach T bolts, nuts, and brackets loosely until aligned in a later step. Install on the right of the table close to the edge of the table as shown.

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

Align the 4th Axis parallel to table. Use a dial indicator by sweeping the length of the known value.

With the dial indicator staying constant during the sweep to show the 4th axis is parallel to table. Adjust 4th Axis and retest as needed to get it parallel to the table as measured with the dial indicator.

When the 4th Axis is parallel to the table, tighten mounting nuts.

To find the X axis, touch an edge finder off the front of the face plate.

Don’t forget to subtract half the diameter of your edge finder. Make a note of the number MX1 from the screen.

Use your edge finder and touch the front of the known stock value. for the Y axis.

Don’t forget to subtract half the diameter of your edge finder and also half the diameter of your known stock value. Make a note of the number in MY1 from the screen.

Set the nose of the spindle to touch the top of your known stock value for the Z axis.

Add half the diameter of your known stock. Make a note of this number in MZ1 from the screen.

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.