All,
Had a first last week with a VMC dropping tools randomly. This has never been a problem in the past. The difference was this time I was running a lot of tools at max rpm, for long (20-30min) cycles. Mori MV-JR.
The odd thing was it looked like it was dropping the tool from the carosel side, NOT the spindle. Or rather not quite grabbing the carosel tool securely, and then the vibration/bumping etc.. causing the spindle tool to fall. Is it possible there is some spindle thermal growth that may cause the tool arm to be slightly skewed,during the cycle and not pick up the carosel tool just right?
another really strange occurance was I had two larger tools fall from the carosel randomly. NOT during a tool change. I don't see anything obviously wrong with the tool pots, just wondering if the high rpms might have something to do with all this.
BTW, I did recently (6 months ago) do some repairs to the tool arm, re-set the height, but it has been working better/smoother (with the machine cold) than it has ever since we got the machine 10 years ago. And haven't seen any toolchanging problems in the past 6 months.
any similar experiences/salient suggestions with this?
ca