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Answers |
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What is the largest pitch that can be cut on a TRAK
lathe during threading? |
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The limiting factor
in regards to the size of pitch is the maximum feedrate of the Z
axis. On TRAK lathes, the maximum feedrate that you can attain is
150 ipm during threading. To calculate the maximum pitch you can
run, use the following formula.
Feedrate = RPM x
Pitch x # of starts, where feedrate = 150 ipm
As you can see, the
maximum pitch is inversely proportional to the RPM and # of starts.
In other words, as you increase the RPM or # of starts, the maximum
pitch you can attain goes down.
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Contributed by:
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Engineering |
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Can I change the orientation of my electronic handwheels so that the
machine moves the direction I want when I turn them? |
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Yes. Go
to the Set-Up Mode, then Service Codes, and enter code 308, 309, or
310 to reverse handwheel direction for X,Y, and Z axes respectively.
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Contributed by:
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Wayne
Shoaf |
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Senior Sales Representative
North Central Region |
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On our mills and lathes, how do I setup a new Z
absolute zero for all of the tools in the tool table? |
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Go to DRO.
Make sure that the Tool # in the control matches the tool that you
are using. Touch the tool to the surface that is absolute zero,
press Z and then ABS SET. All tools will be reset.
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Contributed by:
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Michael McGarry |
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Senior Sales Representative
Atlantic Region |
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How do you calculate RPM from CSS/SFM (constant
surface speed measured in surface feet per minute) or vice versa? |
RPM = CSS X 4
χ
diameter of tool or work piece.
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Contributed by:
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Engineering |
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How do you calculate inch per minute from inch per
revolution? |
IPM = IPR X RPM.
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Contributed by:
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Engineering |
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How do I get the latest version of software on my
machine? |
Follow this link
to
Software Downloads. Under Software
Downloads, select either current or previous generations of
ProtoTRAK and TRAK CNCs. If you do not have a floppy drive on your
computer, call the Service Department to order the software. Please
have your model and serial numbers ready so we can get you the right
software.
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Contributed by:
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Engineering |
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Where can I get a postprocessor for my CAD/CAM
software package? |
Call your CAM
retailer, distributor, or manufacturer. The PT uses a common type
of postprocessor based on Fanuc 6. Our control works with defined
inputs that are handled by the postprocessor. The CAM side is the
more complex side, therefore, the CAM producer is the only company
qualified to handle their output.
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Contributed by:
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Engineering |
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Can my controller count in 0.0002 increments? |
Yes. Keep in
mind that you are not changing the machine's inherent accuracy and
repeatability. Run Service Code 70 for 0.0002, code 68 for 0.0005,
run 69 for 0.001.
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Contributed by:
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Customer Service Group |
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When Im in the DRO Mode, my display shows one axis
as INC and the other two as ABS. How do I get all three back to the
same reference? |
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Press the
X,Y or Z key, then press INC/ABS. This changes each individual axis
from INC to ABS (or vice-versa). Now, all three axes should read
INC or ABS. Actually, thats how you got there in the first place.
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Contributed by:
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Wayne
Shoaf |
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Senior Sales Representative
North Central Region |
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Back to Top |
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What is the biggest radius I can cut on the
ProtoTRAK? |
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The
largest radius is 825 inches. Values above this number will cause
an error when trying to run the program. |
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Contributed by:
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Engineering |
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How does our variable peck drill cycle calculate the
depth of each peck? |
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Our
ProtoTRAKs use a formula called sum of the digits. It calculates
the depth of each peck by summing the number of pecks, dividing by
the total and multiplying it by the total depth (Z rapid to Z end).
Please see the example below:
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Using 4
variable pecks, the control will sum the number of pecks as follows:
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10 (if it was 5 pecks, it would be 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5
= 15).
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It then
divides 1/10, 2/10/, 3/10 and 4/10 pecking more frequently as it
drills deeper.
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If the Z rapid
is .100 and the Z end is -1.000, the total depth is 1.100.
The
first peck will then be at -.440 from Z rapid (4/10 x 1.100); the
second peck will be -.330 deeper (3/10 x 1.100) until the drill
reaches Z end for the final peck.
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Contributed by:
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Michael McGarry |
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Senior Sales Representative
Atlantic Region |
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How many starts can I do in the lathe threading
event? |
ELX = 1,
otherwise 10 for all other lathe controls.
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Contributed by:
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Engineering |
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Why does
my display show a negative number when facing off a part? |
Check the Tool Offset. Chances are, the display is showing a
negative number equal to your tool radius because you programmed
Tool Left for the offset on the facing operation. Remember, when
using Tool Offsets, the offset for Facing and Boring operations is
Tool Right. OD Turning towards the chuck is Tool Left.
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Contributed by:
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Wayne
Shoaf |
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Senior Sales Representative
North Central Region |
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Back to Top |
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Why does my machine not run smoothly when I run
some GCD programs? |
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Your program may
be feeding into the control faster than the machine can perform the
functions. This is generally caused by high feed rates over a small
distance. To resolve this you can either lower the feed rate or
change the length of the moves in your CAM or GCD program. |
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Contributed by:
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Engineering |
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