VMCsi- Clearing ATC Fault

The method for entering Spindle Service Mode depends on whether the machine is using the Old PLC or New PLC.

Press [Diagnostics] → [Version]

Locate the PLC User Program line.

03.xx.xx → Old PLC

05.xx.xx or higher → New PLC

This step applies only to machines using the New PLC (05.xx.xx or higher).

Verify the E-Stop is disengaged.

Press [Reset]

While holding [Spindle Stop], press [Feed Stop] three (3) times.

Confirm [Feed Stop] begins blinking slowly.

This step applies only to machines using the Old PLC (03.xx.xx).

Verify the E-Stop is disengaged.

Press [Reset]

Press and hold [Spindle Stop]

While holding [Spindle Stop], press [Feed Start] three (3) times.

Confirm [Feed Start] begins blinking slowly.

The recovery procedure depends on whether a tool is currently captured by the spindle.

Inspect the spindle area and ATC arm to determine which condition applies:

Fault with spindle empty

Fault with tool in spindle.

Treat the fault as “Tool in Spindle” if:

The tool is aligned with the spindle and

The tool is partially or mostly inserted into the spindle

If the drawbar fingers are capturing the retention knob, the tool is considered in the spindle, even if it is not fully seated.

If a tool is in the spindle, do not attempt to remove it using this step.

Identify the ATC arm position:

Up position (left image) — the gripper can be pressed directly.

Down position (right image) — the release pin on the arm must be pressed before the gripper will open.

Remove the tool(s) from the ATC arm by pressing the gripper and pulling the tool straight out.

If the arm is in the down position, the circled pin on the arm must be pressed down before the gripper can be depressed.

If no tool is in the spindle, both tools may be removed using this method.

Verify the machine is in Spindle Service Mode.

Press and hold [Arm], then tap [+] to move the ATC arm to the home position.

Once the arm is at home, press and hold [Pot], then tap [-] to return the pot to the Up position.

If the arm returns home with no tools installed, proceed to Step 15 — Confirming Spindle Home.

Before moving the ATC arm, determine when the fault occurred:

Fault during tool insertion into the spindle

Fault during tool removal from the spindle

Choose the correct recovery direction:

Insertion fault → Move the arm backward [−] to back the tool out.

Removal fault → Move the arm forward [+] to complete the removal.

Proceed to the appropriate recovery step based on this condition.

Moving the arm in the wrong direction increases the risk of dropping the tool or damaging the ATC.

This video shows the tool insertion sequence into the spindle.

If the control faulted during tool insertion, proceed to Step 9 — Removing Tool (Insertion Phase).

If the control did not fault during insertion, proceed to Step 10 — Removing Tool (Removal Phase).

Place cardboard or rags on the table to protect the machine if the tool drops.

This procedure requires two people, one holding the green Manual Tool Change button and one operating the ATC controls.

The green button must remain pressed until the tool is completely clear of the spindle.

Verify the machine is in Spindle Service Mode.

Press and hold [Arm], then tap [−] to move the arm back toward Home.

Using [Arm] & [−] reverses the insertion motion and reduces the risk of dropping the tool.

Once clear of the spindle, remove the tool using the gripper (press the release pin first if the arm is down).

Press and hold [Pot], then tap [−] to return the pot to the Up position, then proceed to Step 15.

This video shows the tool removal sequence from the spindle.

If the control faulted during tool removal, proceed to Step 11 — Returning the Arm to Home (Tool in Spindle).

Place cardboard or rags on the table to protect the machine if the tool drops.

This procedure requires two people, one holding the green Manual Tool Change button and one operating the ATC controls.

The green button must remain pressed until the tool is completely clear of the spindle.

Verify the machine is in Spindle Service Mode.

Press and hold [Arm], then tap [+] to move the arm forward toward Home.

Using [Arm] & [+] advances the tool removal motion and reduces the risk of dropping the tool.

Once clear of the spindle, remove the tool using the gripper (press the release pin first if the arm is down).

Press and hold [Pot], then tap [−] to return the pot to the Up position.

After the spindle-side tool has been addressed, verify the tool is not still captured in the ATC pot.

If a tool remains in the pot, press and hold [Pot], then tap [−].

Verify the pot returns to the Up position and clears the arm travel path.

Move the ATC arm to a safe position using [Arm] with [+] or [−].

Determine when the fault occurred:

Fault during insertion into the pot

Fault during removal from the pot

Select the correct direction:

Insertion fault → Press [Arm] & [−] to back the tool out of the pot.

Removal fault → Press [Arm] & [+] to advance the tool out of the pot.

If the arm is in the down position, press the release pin to open the gripper to remove tool.

Video of ATC Return to home using [Arm] & [+]

Look through the front ATC window to view the ATC LEDs.

When ARM returns to home position, only LED in the middle should be active.

When multiple lights (or any single light other than the center one) are lit, the ARM is not at the home position.

Press [Reset] to exit Spindle Service Mode.

Press [Jog] and [Ref Point] on the MCP and confirm both indicator lights are on.

Press [Mag] & [+] together to reference the magazine.

Verify Pot 1 is in the tool change position.

Verify the green arrow in the first column of the tool table points to Tool 1.

Reinstall any tools that were manually removed during the clearing process.

Verify the tools in the magazine match the tool table.

ATC fault clearing is complete.