My Spindle Won't Turn - 15L

Background

The spindle is the rotating assembly that holds the tool/tool holder. It’s powered by a motor that can either be integral or – like most of our machines – external, relying on a belt and pullies to transmit the power.

The VFD that controls the motor doesn't power on with the machine. Instead, it turns on after you command the spindle to start.

Tools

Multimeter
Adjustable wrench
Screwdriver set

Verify speed was commanded properly

Reason: Commanded speed did not execute.

To command a specific RPM in PathPilot, you enter your desired speed, and then you MUST press enter for the machine to accept the commanded speed. Then proceed to hit FWD or REV.

Inspect and/or re-tension the belt

Reason: The belt is loose, worn, or damaged.

Reference the spindle pulley swap process here: Change Spindle Motor Pulley Position - 15L

The Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) isn’t getting power

Examine the enclosure door and its switch

Reason: The door is open or the switch is malfunctioning.

Examine the enclosure door to verify that it's closed, being held closed, and that both switches are being depressed.

Verify that the spindle run/start is working

Reason: The spindle start signal from the control board isn’t working.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WahHDTaQ_ME

Measure the motor resistance (Ω)

Reason: The motor has an internal short and is malfunctioning.

Power off the machine.
Wait 30 seconds, and then remove the U, V, and W wires from the VFD terminals.
Measure the resistance between the following wires to see if it is approximately 2-4 Ω:
1. Wires U and V
2. Wires U and W
3. Wires V and W
Measure the resistance between the following wires to verify that it is >1M Ω or OL, indicating that there is no short:
1. Wire U and Ground (bare exposed metal or a green and yellow wire with a PE label)
2. Wire V and Ground (bare exposed metal or a green and yellow wire with a PE label)
3. Wire W and Ground (bare exposed metal or a green and yellow wire with a PE label)
Numbers outside of the specified range indicate that the motor or its wiring is bad and needs to be replaced. Perform the same test on the motor cable connector, if applicable.

Identify the VFD code and solution

Reason: The VFD is tripped and showing an error.

Trip Code	Condition	Likely Cause
boot	Boot from SD card.	Displayed for first 5-6 seconds after power up when booting from SD card. (M200/C200 only)
UU	DC-BUS under-voltage.	This happens when the VFD is powered down or loses power.
OU	DC-BUS over-voltage.	Braking resistor failed open or wiring connection open between the VFD and the resistor. Resistance to measure 70 ohms.
OI.AC	VFD output instantaneous over current.	Phase-to-phase or phase-to-ground short on output of VFD to motor. This trip code cannot be reset until 10 seconds after the trip was initiated.
OI.br	Braking resistor instantaneous over current.	Braking resistor shorted or partially shorted out or short in wiring between the VFD and the resistor. Resistance to measure 70 ohms. Check brake resistor wiring.
It.br	I²t (power) on braking resistor.	Excessive braking resistor energy caused by too frequent and too severe deceleration cycles or AC supply voltage too high.
It.AC	I²t (power) on VFD output current (used to protect motor).	Spindle motor is working too hard. Ensure that the spindle is not jammed or sticking. Consider running the spindle motor at half speed for 10 minutes with no load to cool the motor down.
Oht.C	VFD is working too hard and stops to cool power electronics down to prevent failure.	Spindle motor is working too hard. Stop running the spindle but leave the VFD power on and let the power electronics cool down.
Oht.I	Heat sink temperature is too high because the VFD is working too hard and stops to cool power electronics down to prevent failure. Cabinet may also be too hot.	Spindle motor is working too hard or it is too hot in work location. Stop running the spindle but leave the VFD power on and let the power electronics cool down. Check to see if the fan on the VFD is running and check filters on the cabinet. Cool work location down if required.
HF01 through HF23	Hardware fault.	Failed drive.

Inspect the VFD program

Reason: The wrong program has been loaded or is running on the VFD.

Identify your specific VFD in the table below, and follow the instructions to identify what program it is running.
If the program does not match your machine and machine configuration, contact Tormach Technical Support.

VFD Model

How to inspect the VFD program

Commander SK

Push the M button on the front panel of the VFD. The display will change to 01___0.0 with the 01 blinking.
Momentarily push the up arrow key to the right of the M key.
1. The 01 should change to 02.
2. Take note of the number to the right of the 02.
3. The VFD should read 170.x, where x designates the VFD program version.
If the VFD does not display this value, it needs to be reprogrammed.
Exit by pressing and holding the M button until the display reverts.

M200 and C200

Push Enter on the front panel of the VFD twice.
1. The display changes to 00.000, with the .000 blinking.
Repeatedly push the Up Arrow until .000 changes to .011.
Push Enter again.
1. The display shows the model of the mill or accessory (for example, 1100 for an 1100M, or RT11 for a RapidTurn on an 1100M).
Push the Up Arrow once more, and the VFD displays parameter .012, which is the software version number (for example, version 2.01).
Push Back to exit this mode.