FOURTH-AXIS ATTACHMENT FOR 3-AXIS CNC MACHINES

Transcription

1 FOURTH-AXIS ATTACHMENT FOR 3-AXIS CNC MACHINES LAGUNA TOOLS 2072 Alton Parkway Irvine, California Ph: MCNC SS1 24 x , Laguna Tools, Inc. LAGUNA and the LAGUNA Logo are the registered trademarks of Laguna Tools, Inc. All rights reserved.

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3 Table of contents Page number Safety Rules 4 Limited Warranty 5 Noise emission 6 Specification sheet 6 Receiving your machine 6 Glossary of terms 7 Introduction to fourth-axis attachment 8 Parts of the fourth-axis attachment 8 Additional instructions for the use of the fourthmaxis attachment 8 Where to locate your Machine 9 Unpacking the fourth-axis attachment 9 Cleaning the fourth-axis attachment 9 Assembling the fourth-axis attachment 9 Attaching the fourth-axis attachment to the 3-axis machine 10 Check for angular misalignment 12 Set G54 position and parallel alignment 13 Making the electrical connections 15 Screen Buttons 16 Screen Flow 17 Homing 18 Manual jog 18 Constant RPM 19 Setting the "Z" spoil 19 Holding the work piece 23 Changing the chuck jaws 25 Maintenance 31 3

4 Safety Rules As with all machinery, there are certain hazards involved with the operation and use of your machine. Using it with caution will considerably lessen the possibility of personal injury. However, if normal safety precautions are overlooked or ignored, personal injury to the operator may result. If you have any questions relating to the installation and operation, do not use the equipment until you have contacted your supplying distributor. Read the following carefully and fully before operating the machine. 1. Keep the working area clean and ensure adequate lighting is available. 2. Do not wear loose clothing, gloves, bracelets, necklaces or ornaments. 3. Do wear face, eye, respiratory and body protection devices as indicated for the operation or environment. 4. Ensure that the power is disconnected from the machine before tools are serviced or any attachment is to be fitted or removed. 5. Never leave the machine with the power on. 6. Do not use dull, gummy or cracked cutting tools. 7. Ensure that the keys and adjusting wrenches have been removed and all the nuts and bolts are secured. 4

5 Limited Warranty New machines and accessories sold by Laguna Tools carry a one-year warranty effective from the date of shipping. Machines sold through dealers must be registered with Laguna Tools within 30 days of purchase to be covered by this warranty. Laguna Tools guarantees all new machines and accessories sold to be free of manufacturers defective workmanship, parts and materials. We will repair or replace, without charge, any parts determined by Laguna Tools, Inc. to be a manufacturer s defect. We require that the defective item/part be returned to Laguna Tools with the complaint. Any machines returned to Laguna Tools must be returned with packaging in the same manner in which it was received. If a part or blade is being returned it must have adequate packaging to ensure no damage is received during shipping. In the event the item/part is determined to be damaged due to lack of maintenance, cleaning or misuse/abuse, the customer will be responsible for the cost to replace the item/part, plus all related shipping charges. This limited warranty does not apply to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, normal wear and tear, product failure due to lack of maintenance or cleaning, damage caused by accident, neglect, lack of or inadequate dust collection, misuse/abuse or damage caused where repair or alterations have been made or attempted by others. Laguna Tools, Inc. is not responsible for additional tools or modifications sold or performed (other than from/by Laguna Tools, Inc.) on any Laguna Tools, Inc. machine. Warranty maybe voided upon the addition of such described tools and/or modifications, determined on a case-by-case basis. Software purchased through Laguna Tools Inc. is not covered under this warranty and all technical support must be managed through the software provider. Software is non-refundable. Normal user alignment, adjustment, tuning and machine settings are not covered by this warranty. It is the responsibility of the user to understand basic machinery operation, settings and procedures and to properly maintain the equipment in accordance with the standards provided by the manufacturer. Parts, under warranty, are shipped at Laguna Tools, Inc. s cost either by common carrier, FEDEX ground service or a similar method. Technical support to install replacement parts is primarily provided by phone, fax, or Laguna Tools Customer Support Website. The labor required to install replacement parts is the responsibility of the user. Laguna Tools is not responsible for damage or loss caused by a freight company or other circumstances not in our control. All claims for loss or damaged goods must be notified to Laguna Tools within twenty-four hours of delivery. Please contact our Customer Service Department for more information. Only new machines sold to the original owner are covered by this warranty. For warranty repair information, call

6 Noise emission Notes concerning noise emission: Given that there exists a relationship between noise level and exposure times, it is not precise enough to determine the need for supplementary precautions. The factors affecting the true level of exposure to operators are clearly the amount of time exposed; the characteristics of working environment; other sources of dust and noise, etc. For example, adjacent machines may impact the level of ambient noise. It is also possible that exposure level limits will vary from country to country. Specification sheet Note: The specification will depend on the machine that is ordered. Most machines are made to order, and therefore the specification will vary depending on the machine you require. Receiving your machine Note: It is probable that your machine will be delivered by a third party. Before you unpack your machine, you will first need to inspect the packing, invoice and shipping documents supplied by the driver. Ensure that there is no visible damage to the packing or the machine. You must do this prior to the driver leaving. All damage must be noted on the delivery documents and signed by you and the delivery driver. You must then contact the seller, Laguna Tools, within 24 hours. It is advisable to photograph any shipping damage to support an insurance claim. Note: Laguna Tools, Inc. endeavors to test each machine prior to shipping, and you may find sawdust in or on your machine. 6

7 Glossary of terms Rotary axis The axis of rotation of the fourth-axis attachment. 3-Axis Machine The machine onto which the fourth-axis attachment is attached. Fourth-Axis Attachment A device that can be attached onto a 3-axis machine to form a 4- axis machine. Parallel alignment The alignment between the "X" coordinate of the G54 position and the "X" coordinate of the rotary axis. Angular alignment The angle between machine "Y" axis and rotary axis. 7

8 Introduction to fourth-axis attachment The fourth axis attachment is designed to give you years of safe service. Read this owner s manual and the manual of your 3- axis machine in its entirety before assembly or use. The advantage of the fourth-axis attachment is that it can, in most cases, fully machine the complete job without it being removed from the table so that you have finished parts with high accuracy and repeatability. It can, with the purchase of the relevant software, also produce intricate carvings. It is possible to reduce the amount of different machines in the shop, as the fourth-axis attachment will perform multiple functions and is a must for serious woodworkers. Tail stock Bed Parts of the fourth-axis attachment Chuck & drive gear box Tailstock The tailstock runs on two round steel rails on linear bearings. It is adjustable along the complete length of the bed and can be clamped in any position. Bed The bed is a heavy steel plate that is positioned on the bed of the 3-axis machine and clamped in position with clamps. Chuck and drive gear box The chuck rotation is under the control of the computer and is driven by an electric motor and gear box. It has a home switch that is activated by the screw on the chuck. This tells the computer the position of the chuck. Additional instructions for the use of the fourth-axis attachment Like all machines, there is danger Home switch Chuck home switch screw associated with the machine. Injury is frequently caused by lack of knowledge or familiarity. Use this machine with respect. If normal safety precautions are overlooked or ignored, serious personal injury may occur. As the fourth-axis attachment is under the control of the onboard machine controller, it is important that you are clear of the cutter and moving parts when operating the machine. 8

9 Where to locate your machine The fourth-axis attachment mounted to the 3-axis machine CNC machine (3-axis machine NOT SUPPLIED]. There are no hard and fast rules for its location but here are a few guidelines: 1. There should be an area around the machine suitable for the length of wood that you will be machining. 2. Adequate lighting: the better the lighting, the more accurately and safely you will be able to work. 3. Solid floor: you should select a solid flat floor, preferably concrete or something similar. 4. Situate the machine close to the power source and dust collection. Unpacking the fourth-axis attachment To unpack your fourth-axis attachment, you will need tin snips, a knife and a wrench. 1. Using the tin snips, cut the banding that is securing the machine to the pallet (if fitted). WARNING: EXTREME CAUTION MUST BE USED, AS THE BANDING WILL SPRING AND COULD CAUSE INJURY. 2. Remove the box from the fourth-axis attachment (if fitted) and any other packaging material. The parts ordered with the fourth-axis attachment will be packed on or inside the fourth-axis attachment. Note: The fourth-axis attachment is heavy, and if you have any doubt about the described procedure, seek professional assistance. Do not attempt any procedure that you feel is unsafe or that you do not have the physical capability of achieving. 3. Use a forklift with sufficient lifting capacity and forks that are long enough to reach the complete width of the fourth-axis attachment. 4. Remove the securing bolts that attach the fourth-axis attachment to the pallet (if fitted). 5. Approaching the fourth-axis attachment from the side, lift the fourth-axis attachment on the bed, taking care that there are no cables or pipes in the area of the forks. 6. Move the fourth-axis attachment to the required position and lower it gently onto the bed of the 3-axis machine (not supplied). Cleaning the fourth-axis attachment Clean off any protection grease with WD40 or something similar. Re-lubricate the fourth-axis attachment with a 30W oil or wax. The machine has steel parts that, if not protected, will rust. Wipe off any excess to reduce dirt and dust acumination. Assembling the fourth-axis attachment The fourth-axis attachment comes almost fully assembled with the exception of mounting it to the table of the 3-axis machine, connection of the electrical supply and the control cable. 9

10 Attaching the fourth-axis attachment to the 3-axis machine Assembling the fourth-axis attachment onto the 3-axis machine Place the fourth-axis attachment on the bed of the 3-axis machine with its length running along the "Y" axis of the 3-axis machine, as shown in the picture. Try to keep it in the center between the two aluminum "T" slots. Clamping the fourth-axis attachment The clamps need to be installed in four places, as shown in the picture. Clamps 10

11 Here is the clamping procedure: 1. Assemble the "T" bolt clamp assembly in position as shown. Clamp 2. Install the clamps into the "T" slot as shown. 3. Place one side of the clamp onto the fourthaxis attachment and the other side onto a piece of wood to protect the suction table. 4. Adjust the screw so that the fourth-axis is clamped in position. T slot Clamp bolt Clamp Wood protector 11

12 5. Tighten the clamp nut. 6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 for the other clamp assembly. Clamp Clamp nut Wood protector Check for angular misalignment Angular misalignment happens when the rotary axis is at an angle with the "Y" axis. To ensure the best cut quality, the fourth-axis attachment needs to be aligned angularly. One way to check for angular misalignment is to use the back of a milling bit: 1. Install a 1/2 milling bit upside down in the collar so that the round end is exposed. 2. Turn on the 3-axis machine. 3. Home the machine. 4. Move the spindle in the "Y" direction to a coordinate of Lower the "Z" axis so that the bit is lower than the side of the tailstock rail. 6. Using "X" direction manual jog, slowly move the spindle close to the tailstock rail from the left side. 7. Stop when the bit is close enough to the rail that a piece of paper will be a tight fit. 8. Take a note of the "X" axis position of the spindle on the machine display. This number is called a reading. 9. Raise "Z" so that the spindle clears any obstacle. Guide rail Cutter upside down in collet 12

13 10. Move the spindle in the "Y" direction to a coordinate of Repeat steps 5 through Compare the two "X" axis positions. If they differ more than 0.03, move the fourth-axis attachment to compensate for the difference. 13. To adjust the fourth-axis bed, it is recommended that the tail stock end be adjusted. 14. Leave one clamp tight at the headstock end and loosen the other three clamps. 15. Lower the "Z" axis so that the cutter shaft is lower than the center line of the guide rail and is on the same "X" position as the head stock end of the fourthaxis. 16. Move the bed of the fourth-axis so that it is close enough to the rail that a piece of paper will be a tight fit. 17. Tighten all the clamps. 18. Retest and check that the fourth axis attachment is angularly aligned to within 0.003". Set G54 position and parallel alignment Aligning the spindle center line with the center line of the fourth-axis chuck. The "X" coordinate of the G54 spindle origin needs to be the same as the "X" coordinate of the rotary axis, so that a work piece being machined from both sides can maintain alignment after a rotary move. The alignment between the "X" coordinate and the G54 spindle origin is called parallel alignment. One way to set the G54 position is to use a "V" bit: 13

14 1. Insert a "V" bit in the collet. 2. Turn on the 3-axis machine. 3. Manually jog the spindle to a position where the sharp point of the v bit aligns with the sharp point of the tailpiece in the "X" direction. 4. Note the "X" axis coordinate at this point. It is recommended that every work piece that utilizes the fourth-axis uses this "X" coordinate for its G54 spindle origin. 5. Move only the "Y" and "Z" axis to a desired point for G54 spindle coordinate. 6. Go to Tool>>COORDS>>press TEACH ZPO. Now the G54 point is set to a coordinate that is aligned with the rotary axis. 14

15 Making the electrical connections 1. Remove the power to the machine. 2. Press the E-STOP switch to make sure the machine is not powered. 3. Locate the plug sockets. They should be on the lower section of the 3-axis control cabinet. They should be labeled HOME and MOTOR 4. Locate the motor wire, the thicker wire that comes out of the motor. 5. Plug in the motor wire to the plug socket labeled MOTOR. 6. Locate the home wire, the thinner wire that comes off of the home switch. 7. Plug in the home switch wire to the plug socket labeled HOME 8. Release the emergency stop button by twisting it clockwise. 9. Reconnect the power to the machine. Congratulations, now you have a working 4-axis machine! 15

16 Screen Buttons There are 10 different physical buttons next to the screen. The alarms, tools, run, man. and prog. buttons are used to navigate to different screen pages. The start, hold, stop, jog pos and jog neg are used to perform functions in specific screen pages. Please refer to the manual of your 3-axis machine for detail. 16

17 Screen Flow 17

18 Operation Homing. Homing the 4-axis machine is the same procedure as homing the 3- axis machine. 1. Make sure there is nothing on the machine table that would obstruct the machine s movement. 2. Turn on the machine. 3. Press Home Machine button on the upper right corner of the screen. 4. The machine will start moving its "Z" axis. 5. When finished, the machine will start moving its "Y" axis. 6. When finished, the machine will start moving its "X" axis. 7. When finished, the machine will start moving its rotary axis. 8. For safety reasons, the movement of the rotary axis might be slow. In some cases, the rotary axis will need to move a full circle to reach its home position. The homing routine will end automatically when the home trigger comes sufficiently close to the home switch. 9. If the exact home location for the rotary axis is not important, the homing routine can also be terminated by pressing the HOME OVERWRITE button at this point. Home trigger screw Congratulation, your machine is now homed. Manual jog The rotary axis can be jogged manually similar to the other three axes by the following procedure: 1. Press the MAN button. It will take you to the manual screen as shown in the picture. 2. To jog the rotary axis, simply press CONT. JOG, press A-Axis, then press the JOG+ or JOG- button next to the touch screen. A-Home override button Manual screen 18

19 Constant RPM The rotary axis can be run at a constant RPM from manual setting or G-code. Manual constant RPM mode: 1. Make sure there is no obstacle that obstructs any machine movement. 2. With the machine turned on, press MAN button, then press the NEXT button on the touch screen. That will take you to the Manual 2 screen as shown in the picture. 3. Set the speed by pressing the RPM box and enter the desired RPM. If a Manual 2 screen too high or too low RPM is entered, the program will automatically change it to the maximum or minimum RPM. 4. Press the button on the touch screen that is labeled Start. This will run the rotary axis at a preset RPM. 5. Press the Start button on the touch screen again. This will stop the rotary axis movement. 6. Home the machine to reset it. G-code constant RPM mode Below is the G-code to run the rotary axis at a constant RPM: AAxisRPM=60 (set the RPM to 60) G172 M200 (starts a axis continuous motion) M201 (stops a axis continuous motion) The AAxisRPM=60, and G172 sets up the RPM. The M200 starts the constant RPM motion. Lastly, the M201 ends the constant RPM motion. The machine must be homed every time after the constant RPM mode was used. Setting the "Z" spoil With the regular tool touch-off setting, "Z" zero is right on top of the table. However, it is convenient to use the rotary axis as "Z" zero when using the fourth-axis attachment. Therefore, you might want to change the "Z" spoil setting so that tool touch-off command automatically sets the rotary axis as "Z" zero. 19

20 Here are the steps to set up the z spoil 1. Turn on and home the machine. 2. Set a tool in the spindle. A 1/4" end mill will work fine. 3. Go to TOOLS>>EXECUTE TOUCHOFF. This will start the touch-off routine. 4. Wait for the execute touch-off routine to finish. 5. Manually jog the spindle to a position where it is at the same height as the sharp point on the tailpiece. 20

21 6. Press the RUN button. This will take you to the run screen. 7. Press the green box and change it to display Zero Point Offset. 8. Write down the number shown in the Z-axis display box. 21

22 9. Go to TOOLS>>NEXT. This will take you to Tools 2 screen. 10. Press the box labeled Z Spoil and enter the number you wrote down in step The machine is now configured to use the center of the rotary axis as its Z- axis zero. 12. Remember to change z spoil back to the appropriate setting when switching between machining 3-axis parts and rotary parts. 22

23 Holding the work piece The work piece will typically be clamped by the chuck at one end and supported by the tailpiece at the other. Here is the procedure for holding the work piece. Remove the power to the machine. 1. Depress the E-STOP button and make sure the machine is not moving. 2. Insert the chuck key and rotate counter-clockwise to loosen the chuck. 3. Put one end of the work piece into the chuck. 4. Slide the tail piece so that it presses firmly against the center of the other end of the work piece. 23

24 5. Turn the locking bolt clockwise to tighten it. 6. Turn the chuck key clockwise to tighten it. 7. Remove the chuck key. 8. Release the emergency stop button by twisting it clockwise. 10. Reconnect the power to the machine. 24

25 Changing the chuck jaws Here is the procedure for changing the chuck jaws. Please see picture below on turning direction of the chuck key: 1. Jog the rotary axis so that one chuck jaw points straight up. 2. Insert the chuck key. 3. Rotate it counter-clockwise until the chuck jaws can be pulled out. 25

26 4. Pull out the chuck jaws. 5. Notice that each jaw is numbered. 6. Turn the chuck key so that the beginning of the spiral can be seen on the top opening of the chuck. 26

27 7. Turn the chuck key counter-clockwise by half a turn. The top slot of the chuck should look like the picture. 8. Chuck jaw that is labeled number Slip the jaw into the top slot. Notice that the triangle end of the jaw points to the center of the chuck. 27

28 10. Rotate the handle clockwise by two full turns while pushing the jaw in. 11. Continue rotating the handle clockwise until the beginning of the spiral can be seen on the lower left slot. 12. Turn the chuck key counterclockwise by half a turn. The slot should look like the picture. 28

29 13. Pick up jaw number Insert into the bottom left slot. 15. While pushing the jaw, turn the chuck key clockwise by two rotations. 16. Keep on turning the chuck key so that the beginning of the spiral can be seen in the third slot. 29

30 17. Turn the chuck key counter-clockwise by half a turn. The slot should look like the picture. 18. Insert jaw number Push in the jaw while turning the chuck key clockwise by two rotations. 20. Continue turning the chuck key clockwise. If the jaws are installed correctly, the three jaws should meet at the center of the chuck. The jaw installation is now finished. 30

31 Maintenance Lubrication You must regularly (minimum every 12 hours) lubricate the tailstock rails. Use a thin layer of 30wt oil lubricant. Spray daily and wipe off the excess. Daily checks 1. Clean the machine and lubricate unpainted surfaces with a 30wt oil lubricant. Wipe off any excess and buff with a dry polishing cloth. This will reduce the likelihood of rust forming. 2. Check cutter teeth for chips and dullness. 3. Generally inspect the machine for damage and loose or worn parts. 4. Collets and spindle collet holes must be cleaned regularly. Ensure that the slots in the collets are free of sawdust, as sawdust builds up and will stop the collet compressing. If the collet or spindle holes are not clean, the router bit may not run true, and this will affect the performance of your machine. Weekly checks 1. Clean the cutters. 2. Check cutter teeth for chips and dullness. 3. Generally inspect the machine for damage and loose or worn parts. 4. Check the dust extraction for blockages, as any large bits could cause blockages. 5. Replace the water every week. 6. Rotate the water pipes every week. (Inlet to out let and reverse for the other pipe. This will clean out any dirt or other debris that is accumulating inside the cooling system.) 7. Check that all the electrical connectors are fitted correctly and are not loose. 8. Check that all the motor couplers are connected and that the screws are tight. There is a step on work pieces that are machined from both sides 1. Check for angular misalignment. 2. Check for parallel misalignment. Collet fitted to spindle nut For technical support, contact Laguna Tools at or Laguna Tools customer service at customerservices@lagunatools.com Please input machine type in subject line. 31

32 2072 Alton Parkway. Irvine, CA Ph: Laguna Tools is not responsible for errors or omissions. Specifications subject to change. Machines may be shown with optional accessories. 2018, Laguna Tools, Inc. LAGUNA and the LAGUNA Logo are the registered trademarks of Laguna Tools, Inc. All rights reserved.