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In This Section, You'll Learn:
About the basic operations required for most projects, organized as a suggested project workflow.
Start the Machine
Power on the machine and the PathPilot controller.
Turn the Main Disconnect switch to ON on the side of the electrical cabinet.
Twist out the machine's red Emergency Stop button, which enables movement to the machine axes and the spindle.
Press the Reset button.
Bring the Machine Out of Reset
Select Reset.
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For more information on reset mode, see "About Reset Mode".
About Reset Mode
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When the machine is first powered on, or after an emergency stop, the Reset button flashes. When you select the flashing Reset button, PathPilot verifies communication to the machine and does the following activities:
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You can select the Reset button any time while the machine is on.
Reference the Machine
Verify that the machine can freely move to its reference position (at the ends of travel).
To verify that the tooling is clear of any possible obstructions, reference the Z-axis before referencing the other axes: from the PathPilot interface, select Ref Z.
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For more information on referencing the machine, see "About Referencing".
About Referencing
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You must reference the machine to establish a known position for PathPilot. The position that's set while referencing the machine is the origin of the machine coordinate system. Without referencing the machine, PathPilot won't know the current position of the machine axes.
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When referencing, the machine moves each axis to the end of its travel. The machine stops at the limit switch, which sets the axis’ reference position.
Jog the Machine
To switch between jogging modes:
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For more information on step mode, see "About Step Jogging".
About Jogging
Jogging is the operation of manually moving an axis in various directions (like to set up and indicate fixtures or workpieces). You can't manually jog the machine while it's performing automatic operations (like running a G-code program or an MDI command).
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The jog keys on the keyboard only move the machine in steps when step mode is indicated in PathPilot. The inner wheel on the jog shuttle always moves the machine in steps, regardless of which mode is indicated in PathPilot.
Jog Controls Reference
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The machine’s jogging functions are controlled by the following:
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A step button, which toggles the selected jog step size.
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Verify that the machine is powered on and out of reset.
From the PathPilot interface, in the Manual Control area, locate the Spindle group.
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Close the spindle motor door.
In the RPM DRO field, type the desired RPM speed. Then select the Enter key.
Select FWD to start the spindle in the forward direction, or REV to start the spindle in the reverse direction.
Select Stop to stop the spindle.
Change the Spindle Speed Range
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To change the spindle speed range, you must move the spindle belt inside of the spindle cabinet:
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Tighten the spindle belt: Push the pivot handle backward (toward the machine column).
Secure the motor mounting plate: Tighten the clamp handle.
Firmly push the spindle belt between the pulleys. If it is properly tensioned, the spindle belt should move between 3 mm and 6 mm. If it's not properly tensioned, repeat the steps in this section.
Rotate the clamp handle clockwise.
The spindle motor plate locks in place.Close the spindle motor door.
From the PathPilot interface, examine the light on the Spindle Range button to make sure that it agrees with the spindle belt's position.
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About the Spindle
The machine spindle gives power to the cutting tool, which allows it to remove material from the workpiece. The spindle is driven by the spindle motor.
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The machine's spindle rotates either clockwise (forward) or counterclockwise (reverse) at a specified spindle speed.
Spindle Controls Reference
The spindle speed is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM).
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To move your spindle speed range from one to the other, see "Change the Spindle Speed Range".
Load G-Code
To run a G-code program on a PathPilot controller, you must first verify that the file is on the controller. For more information on transferring and moving files, see "Transfer Files to and From the Controller".
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PathPilot loads the G-code file and opens the Main tab.
Transfer Files to and From the Controller
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To run a G-code program, you must transfer the files to the PathPilot controller. You can either use a USB drive or PathPilot HUB (our cloud-based simulator) to transfer files. For more information on PathPilot HUB, go to hub.pathpilot.com.
To transfer files to and from the controller:
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If you're using a USB drive, select Eject.
It's safe to remove the USB drive from the controller.
Set Up Tooling
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The Tormach Tooling System (TTS) allows you to quickly switch between various cutting tools. Before you begin machining, you must put your cutting tools in tool holders and measure the tool length offsets for each tool.
Install a Tool in a Set Screw Tool Holder
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Clean the shank of the tool holder with a clean rag. Verify that the shank is free of any grease or oil.
Remove the set screw from the tool holder with a hex wrench.
Put the desired cutting tool into the tool holder.
Replace the set screw in the tool holder, and then completely tighten it with a hex wrench.
Install a Tool in an ER Collet Tool Holder
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The ER20 collet is self-extracting: the collet must be mounted in the nut before the nut and collet assembly are put into the collet holder.
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Loosely thread the nut on the tool holder, insert the tool, and then tighten the collet.
Install a Drill Chuck in a Jacobs Taper Arbor
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Assemble the drill chuck on to the Jacobs taper arbor:
Use a clean rag and acetone to clean the taper and socket. Verify that the taper and socket are both free of any grease or oil.
Retract the jaws: fully open the drill chuck.
Use a dead-blow hammer (or similar) to seat the drill chuck on the Jacobs taper arbor.
Put the drill into the drill chuck.
Depending on the type of drill chuck, do one of the following:
Keyless Drill Chuck Tighten the drill chuck by hand.
Keyed Drill Chuck Use a chuck key to tighten the drill chuck until it is finger tight.
Set Tool Length Offsets
Before running a G-code program, PathPilot must know the length of the tools that are required for the program. For more information on using tool length offsets, see "About Tool Offsets" (page 10).
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Use a Height Gauge For information, see "Use a Height Gauge to Measure Tools".
Use a Tool Height Setter For information, see “Use a Tool Height Setter to Measure Tools.”
Use an Electronic Tool Setter For information, see "Use an Electronic Tool Setter to Measure Tools".
Touch Off of a Known Reference Height For information, see "Touch Off the Tool Length Offsets".
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Tool offsets allow you to use various tools while still programming with respect to the workpiece. Tools can have different lengths (and, while using cutter radius compensation, different diameters).
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NOTICE! You must always verify that the physical length of a tool agrees with the tool length offset value set in PathPilot. If you don't, there's a risk that the tool length offset misrepresents the currently active tool in the spindle, which may result in a machine crash or damaged tooling, workpieces, or fixtures.
Touch Off the Tool Length Offsets
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Touch off the tool length offsets by using a reference surface with a known height, which gives you a basis to measure any other tool lengths. Use any surface that is parallel (within 0.02 mm) to the machine table. For example:
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Select Touch Z.
The length of the tool is stored in the Tool Table window.From the Tool Table window, in the Length column, verify that the length of the tool is correct.
In the Diameter column, type the diameter of the tool. Then select the Enter key.
Jog the Z-axis up (+Z).
You've completed the procedure to measure a tool offset. Repeat this procedure for any remaining tooling you have. Once you're done adding tool length offsets, switch back to your work coordinate system.
Use an Electronic Tool Setter (ETS) to Measure Tools
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An ETS is a device used to measure the length of a cutting tool.
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From the Tool Table window, in the Length column, verify that the length of the tool is correct.
Use a Height Gauge to Measure Tools
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Before measure a tool, you must first zero the height gauge using a precision surface, like a Granite Surface Plate (PN 31713): Move the height gauge to the top of the Granite Surface Plate.
Press the Zero button on the touch trigger.
The height gauge is zeroed.Insert a tool holder into the Granite Surface Plate.
From the PathPilot interface, on the Offsets tab, select Tool tab.
In the Tool Table window, type a description for the tool.
Move the height gauge on the Tormach Tool Assistant Set to the end of the tool’s cutting edge.
Write down the measured tool length, and then type that value into the Length column on the Tool Table window. Then select the Enter key.
Use a Tool Height Setter to Measure Tools
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This procedure sets the tool length offset using a known reference height and a Tool Height Setter (PN 39682).
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Use the provided dowel pin to compress the setting face of the Tool Height Setter to the level of the ground reference surface.
Adjust the indicator dial's bezel to read zero. Make note of how many times the indicator rotates around the dial.
Measure the height of the ground reference surface from the bottom surface of the Tool Height Setter with a calipers. Note the measured height for later.
Carefully, without moving the bezel, put the Tool Height Setter on the reference surface that's on the machine table.
Set Work Offsets
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To set the current axis location to zero in the active work coordinate system:
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For more information on using work offsets, see "About Work Offsets".
About Work Offsets
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Work offsets allow you to think in terms of X, Y, and Z coordinates with respect to the part, rather than thinking of them with respect to the machine position. This means that you can jog the machine to an arbitrary location (like the end of a workpiece) and call that location zero.
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Work Offset Naming | ||
Offsets 1-9 (Use either name) | ||
Offset | Extended Name | Name |
1 | G54.1 P1 | G54 |
2 | G54.1 P2 | G55 |
3 | G54.1 P3 | G56 |
4 | G54.1 P4 | G57 |
5 | G54.1 P5 | G58 |
6 | G54.1 P6 | G59 |
7 | G54.1 P7 | G59.1 |
8 | G54.1 P8 | G59.2 |
9 | G54.1 P9 | G59.3 |
Offsets 10-500 (Use extended name) | ||
Offset | Extended Name | Name |
10 | G54.1 P10 | Not used |
11 | G54.1 P11 | Not used |
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499 | G54.1 P499 | Not used |
500 | G54.1 P500 | Not used |
Operate the Coolant Pump
To turn coolant on or off:
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For more information on turning on and off coolant, see "About Coolant".
About Coolant
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In the PathPilot interface, the Coolant button controls the machine's coolant pump power outlet. The Coolant button’s light shows the current state of the outlet: the light is on when the outlet has power; the light is off when the outlet does not have power.
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This is a section of the 1100M operator's manual. To view the whole manual, go to Tormach document UM10540.
If you have additional questions, we can help. Create a support ticket with Tormach Technical Support at tormach.com/how-to-submit-a-support-ticket for guidance on how to proceed.