Tormach Product Videos

Tormach - Spring Loaded Tap Guide

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Tormach's Mike Corliss, explains the use of the spring loaded tap guide.

Tormach - The Drawbar Wrench

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The Tormach Drawbar Wrench/Hammer is used to loosen and tighten parts onto the R8 Taper.

How to Assemble the Tormach Deluxe Stand

Assembly of the Tormach PCNC Deluxe Stand

Tormach Tool Change

Task: Changing Tools on the PCNC
Materials:
1. Tormach PCNC
2. Touch Tool
3. Twist Drill
4. Face Mill
5. Small end mill
*Can use different specific tools if wish applying the same concept.
Intro: There are dozens of techniques for tool measurement on the PCNC, the easiest way to learn about these is to begin by looking in the PCNC Manual where they are all listed.
In this Instructable we will show how to measure a tool for the first (and only) time and then do tool changes on the Tormach PCNC machines.
For more information about Tormach, check our www.tormach.com.

1. What We Need
a. Before we can run the program the controller needs to know the program position. This is the distance between the tool and work surface. For this we will need 3 pieces of information, 1. Tool length, 2. Machine position, and 3. Work offset.

2. Measuring Tool Length
a. To measure the tool length we will use a small granite block and height gauge which can be placed directly on the mill. We will use the following tools for measuring in our Instructable, but you can replace them and follow along using the same system if you do not have these specific tools.
i. Touch Tool
ii. Twist Drill
iii. Face mill
iv. Small end mill
b. Open the tool table and use the height gauge to measure the touch tool. You will read two numbers and by adding them together we got 6.9565 in. By measuring this length once you can use that as the zero gauge reference for later usage. You should only need to measure each tool once.
c. Record the tool length.
d. Repeat this same process for each tool.
3. Referencing the Mill
a. Referencing the mill will give us the correct machine coordinates.
4. Set the Work Offset.
a. To do the work offset the controller needs to be using the touch tool so change to tool #1 and confirm.
b. Bring Z down until the Touch Tool is compressed in the exact position it was when it was originally measured.
c. X and Y must also be set before you can run the program.
5. A Quick Look at the Program Controls for Tool Change
a. The first command is G28 -this is the tool change position and works in machine coordinates relative to the home reference position.
b. T2 shows that the machine will make sure to use tool #2.
c. M6 will initiate a tool change— (because in our case this is a manual action the machine will stop and flash a yellow indication on the screen to change to tool #2 before you can continue.
d. G43 indicates that tool offset should be applied and H2 indicates that tool #2 is the one to use.
6. Run the Program
a. Hit cycle start and then follow the tool change prompts on the machine. The tool will go down and make a small pattern on the material and then there will be prompt to change the tool.
b. Put in Tool #3 and hit cycle start.
c. At the flashing prompt put in tool #4 and hit cycle start for the last cycle of the process.
7. Check out tormach.com for more videos and information.

http://www.tormach.com/videos/20112_Tool_Change/SimpleToolChange.tap.txt
For more information check out www.tormach.com

Using an Edge Finder - Tormach CNC

Tormach on the web @ http://www.tormach.com

Overview:
This video reviews how to use an edge finder and the difference between a mechanical edge finder and an electronic edge finder.

Material: 2" Aluminum
Cutters: Mechanical Edge Finder, Electronic Edge Finder
Speed: variable
Feed: n/a
Machine: Tormach PCNC 1100

Background:
Essentially an edge finder is a dynamic indicator of the location of a work-piece edge with reference to the center line of the spindle to which it is attached.

Fixtures & Tooling:
The mechanical edge finder in a simple device and can be purchased for as little as $10 USD. In order to operate this type of edge finder, you need to have a rotating spindle.

An electronic edge finder is a bit more complicated and will cost a little more. Its main advantage over the mechanical edge finder is that it can work in a NON-rotating spindle. It is battery operated and works by lightening up its internal LED (usually red) when the electrical circuit formed by the instrument and the machine is closed.

Motion Planning:
The edge finder is put in the rotating chuck of the milling machine and the work-piece is moved towards the edge finder.

When the work-piece and the edge finder come into contact, the rotating motion of the edge finder visibly changes.

In use, the spinning edge finder is moved into contact with the edge that you wish to locate. As the lower cylinder of the edge finder touches the edge, that lower cylinder "kicks" to the left (assuming a clockwise rotation as seen from above). When the kick is observed, the axis of the spindle and the edge of the work-piece are located 1/2 the diameter of the edge finder from each other. This is typically 0.100" but it can be different, so make sure to check.

Cutting Process & Results:
With either a mechanical or electronic edge finder, you will be able to center your work-piece accurately every
time.

Key Words:
edge finder, mechanical edge finder, electronic edge finder, wiggler, centering, machining, milling techniques, CNC, Tormach

Duality Lathe - Tormach CNC

Tormach on the web @ http://www.tormach.com

The Duality Lathe is an entirely new concept in CNC mill accessories. When used in combination with a PCNC 1100 mill, this integrated machine accessory can be operated as a CNC lathe, or combination lathe/mill. When used without the PCNC 1100 mill, the Duality Lathe becomes a conventional bench top manual lathe.

When mounted to the table of Tormach's PCNC 1100 mill, the Duality Lathe becomes a CNC lathe. Mounting the lathe is as simple as mounting a machine vise. Two cables, a power cable and a signal cable, provide integration of the mill and lathe control systems. The combined system offers CNC turning, cut-off, boring, drilling, and threading. Dedicated lathe control software includes code programming wizards and supports code programs as long as 10 million lines. The Duality Lathe includes a quick change tooling system. The Duality Lathe also includes spindle clamp and index wheel, allowing milling operations to be performed on parts while they are still mounted in the lathe chuck.

"With this new invention we're enabling our customers to leverage their investment in a CNC mill by providing CNC lathe capacities for a fraction of what it would normally cost." says Tormach CEO Greg Jackson. "The Duality Lathe is the perfect solution for entrepreneur's, researchers, inventors and educators, where shops have limited budgets and only occasional need for a CNC lathe."

Duality Lathe - 4thAxis Drive

Tormach on the web @ http://www.tormach.com

The standard Duality Lathe has a spindle clamp and 360 degree index wheel. This allows the lathe to be used as a fixture, holding the turned piece for machining with the operator doing manual indexing. With this new option the Duality Lathe is transformed into a 4th axis by clutching in a precision drive mechanism. The drive is fully integrated into the mill CNC controller and has the same drive ratio as the conventional 4th axis, allowing both the Duality Lathe 4th axis and the 8 conventional 4th axis to be used on the mill (not at the same time).

Duality Lathe and the Duality Lathe 4th Axis Drive combination greatly extend the capability of the Tormach mill and can be used for a wide variety of small or lightweight mill/turn operations.

ATC Alignment Part 1

ATC Alignment Part 2

CNC Drag Knife

Tormach mills have the ability to produce vinyl signage with the use of CNC Drag Knives. These accessory tools are a very economical way to add new functionality to your Tormach machine. Besides vinyl signs, drag knives have the ability to make gaskets, shims and copper traces for circuit boards. You can purchase the drag knives at http://www.tormach.com/store/index.php?app=ecom&ns=catshow&ref=Specialty_Tools_for_CNC

Tormach - Haimer Zero Master Edge Finder

Visit us at http://www.tormach.com/product_tts_measurement.html to find out about all the measurement tools Tormach offers.

Tormach's Jeff Hamre, explains how to use Haimer's Zero Master to zero out the X, Y and Z axis on a part.