Here at Tormach, we want to help you make things, so here's how to install your
Automatic Collet Closer on the 15L Slant-PRO Lathe. Please read the technical
documentation that came with your product, for all warnings cautions and
potentially small changes in future releases. When you receive your Collet
Closer, compare the contents to the item list in the included technical document.
If any of these items are missing, contact Tormach Customer Service, at
support@tormach.com. Before you begin the installation of the automatic collet
closer, you will need to install PathPilot 2.0 or later onto your controller.
If you have not done so, order the upgrade part number three eight two four
nine from tormach's website. Since this comes on a USB stick, allows several days
for its arrival. The technical document also includes a list of tools necessary
for the collet closer installation. Make sure you have these on hand. It is
recommended to use a filter regulator lubricator. If you plan to do so, then it
should be ordered to arrive with the collet closer. Assembling the pneumatic
cylinder. The draw tube has four holes on one end, which are used to secure the
draw tube to the pneumatic cylinder. Insert the other end of the draw tube
into the outward facing end of the pneumatic cylinder, until it is flush.
Align the four draw tube holes with the set screws, and tightened with a three
sixteenths hex wrench. Take the two NPT reducers, and use thread seal tape to
wrap each end. Thread the NPT reducers onto the pneumatic cylinder, and tighten
with the 9/16 wrench. Thread the elbow fittings on to the NPT reducers and
tighten with an eleven sixteenths wrench. Set this aside for now.
Removing the belt guard cover. The Slant- Pro, will need to be powered off. Push in
the emergency stop button on PathPilot. Click exit. Turn the main disconnect to
off on the left side of the machine. Disconnect the power connector from the
rotary encoder. With a Philips screwdriver, remove the three screws from
the encoder cover. Set these aside, then remove the four
screws from the spindle bore cover. These can be discarded. Use a Phillips
screwdriver to remove the five screws that secure the belt guard cover to the
enclosure and the stand. Set aside the belt guard cover, and its screws,
Installing the anti-rotation bracket. Slide two rubber bumpers onto the
anti-rotation bracket. With the belt guard cover removed, temporarily secure the
anti-rotation bracket to the two left screw holes, using the M5 button head cap
screws. Make sure that the screws are centered within the slots on the
anti-rotation bracket. Use a marker to mark the hole locations on the belt
guard cover, on the center of each open slot. Remove the button head cap screws
and set the anti rotation bracket aside. Pre-drill holes in the center of the two
marked locations on the belt cover. Then use a 7/32 drill bit to finish drilling
the holes. Remove any burrs from the holes securing the anti rotation bracket
onto the belt guard cover, with the four M5 button head cap screws, and four
M5 nuts. Installing the adapter spacer. Use a machinist stone to lightly
stone the face of the spindle pulley. Make sure to remove all the burrs which
could cause run-out. Then soak a rag in alcohol, and use it to wipe off the
residue. Align the spindle pulley with the four holes on the adapter spacer. Use
a ten millimeter hex wrench and four M6 hex head flange bolts to attach the
adapter spacer to the spindle pulley. To prevent the spacer from spinning, either
pinch the belts with one hand, or hold on to a chuck that has been inserted into
the spindle. Reinstalling the belt guard cover. Slide the belt guard cover back
into place and re-secure it with the five screws set aside earlier. Use a
Philips screwdriver to attach the encoder cover. Re-secure the power
connector to the rotary encoder. Installing the pneumatic cylinder
assembly. Slide the pneumatic assembly into the spindle, while making sure its
fittings slide into the anti-rotation bracket. Make sure the thumb screw is
aligned with the flat on the adapter spacer. Use 4 M6 hex head screws to
finger tighten the pneumatic cylinder assembly to the adapter spacer. Make sure
the screws are snug but not tightened completely. Loosen the thumb screw on the
pneumatic cylinder assembly. Loosening the thumb screw allows the draw tube to
rotate separately from the spindle. Make sure the 5C insert is installed in the
spindle. Install a collet into the 5c insert you must rotate the collet until
its groove aligns in the 5c insert. Insert a piece of stock into the collet.
Hold the collet with one hand, and then use the other hand to turn the draw tube
handle. Continue to thread the collar into the draw tube until it's completely
threaded. Tighten the thumb screw on the pneumatic cylinder assembly. Turn the
draw tube handle counterclockwise until the thumb screw clicks into one of the
four slots in the draw tube. Making air connections. Uou must make sure that the
air to the solenoid is dry, filtered, and regulated. If it is not, we recommend you
use a filter regulator lubricator. If you are not using an FRL, then go to the
technical document for the instructions in the Making Air Connections section.
Use two M4 button head cap screws, to attach the solenoid to the back of the
anti-rotation bracket. Follow the instructions included with the FRL to
attach the NPT reducers. The push-to-connect fitting attaches to the
input side of the FRL and the elbow attaches to the output side. Then attach
the FRL to the front of the bracket with the M5 button head cap screws. Plug the
solenoids power cord into the closer outlet on the back of the slant lathe.
Four air tubes are provided with the kit. One long, two medium, and the fourth is short.
The first medium air tube is connected to port A on the solenoid, and the other
end to the cylinder elbow closest to the Slant-Pro lathe. The second medium air
tube connects to port B on the solenoid, and the other end, to the second elbow on
the cylinder. Then take the short air tube and connect one end into the FRL
output port and the other end to port P. Use thread seal tape to wrap
the threads of the quick-connect fitting. Install that fitting into the elbow with
the 9/16 and eleven sixteenths wrenches. Connect the long air tube to the elbow
and the other end to the input port on the FRL. The Quick Connect can then be
connected to the air compressor. Aligning the automatic collet closer kit with the
15 L --Slant Pro spindle. Put the base of a magnetic dial indicator on the top of
the belt guard cover. Make sure that the dial indicator contacts the aluminum of
the pneumatic cylinder, furthest away from the belt guard cover. Rotate the
spindle clockwise until the needle reaches the highest point on the dial
indicator. Use a pair of deadblow hammers to gently tap the mounting flange. Rotate
the spindle again until the needle reaches the highest point. Repeat the tap
on the flange. If you see no effect on the dial indicator after striking the
flange, then loosen the screws slightly. Continue these steps until the measured
run-out is less than 2 thousands of an inch on the dial indicator. Tighten the 4 M6 hex
screws with a 10 millimeter hex wrench. Power on the machine and the PathPilot
controller, by turning on the main disconnect switch to the on position. On
the operator box, twist out the emergency stop button and press the start button.
Operating the automatic collet closer. G-codes can be used to automatically
operate the collet closer. An M10 command opens the collar closer and M11 command
closes the collet closer. To manually operate the collet closer,
click Collet Clamped on the PathPilot interface, to toggle the green light on.
The Collet closer will now be in a closed position. Changing the collet from
the PathPilot interface. Click Collet Clamped to toggle the button light off.
The collet is now in the open position. Loosen the thumb screw on the pneumatic
cylinder assembly. Make sure the 5C insert is installed in the spindle.
Install a collet into the 5C insert. You must rotate the collet until it's
groove lies in the 5C insert. Hold the collet with one hand, and then from the
pneumatic cylinder, use the other hand to turn the draw tube handle.
Continue to thread the collet onto the draw tube until it is completely
threaded. Tighten the thumb screw on the pneumatic cylinder assembly. Turn the
draw tube handle counterclockwise until the thumb screw clicks into one of the
four slots on the draw tube. Switching between ID and OD clamping. Open the
setting tab, and select ID or OD. The holding force can be adjusted by either
increasing or decreasing the pressure on the pressure regulator. We recommend you
begin with 40 psi and then gradually increase the pressure until the part is
sufficiently held. This concludes the installation of the automatic collet
closer kit for the 15L Slant -PRO Lathe. If you have other issues with your
installation, please contact technical support at support@tormach.com.
Thanks for watching. Check out all of our latest videos here,
and for more metalworking tips, tricks, and stories, subscribe to our YouTube
channel.