Skip to main content
Skip table of contents

Verify the Installation

To properly validate the core installation of your machine, you must understand how to power on and off the machine and use the controls.

Complete the following steps in the order listed:

Power on the Machine

  1. Use a multimeter to verify that the electrical service in your location meets the following requirements. If your location does not meet these requirements, do not install the machine. Instead, you must consult with a local electrician about your options.

  • Primary Power Required Single-Phase 115 Vac, 50/60 Hz

  • Recommended Circuit Amperage Dedicated 15 A breaker

  1. Connect the machine's mains power cable to the verified electrical service.

  2. Find the Main Disconnect switch, and then remove the hang tag.

image-20250430-194140.png

Figure 1: The Main Disconnect switch on the side of the machine's electrical cabinet.

  1. Turn the Main Disconnect switch to ON.

image-20250430-194238.png

Figure 2: Example of the Main Disconnect switch in the On position.

Mains power is now connected to the machine.

  1. Push the Power button on the PathPilot controller, if it's not already powered on.

  2. Follow the on-screen instructions to configure the PathPilot operating system and PathPilot controller.
    When configuration is complete, the PathPilot operating system launches.

NOTE: After you first configure PathPilot, the operating system automatically launches whenever it's powered on.

  1. Depending on which monitor you have, do one of the following:

    1. Standard Monitor Go to the next step.

    2. Touch Screen Monitor You must first make sure that the monitor is configured and calibrated. From the PathPilot interface, in the MDI Line DRO field, type Admin Touchscreen. Then, select the Enter key, and follow the on-screen instructions.

  2. Rotate the Emergency Stop button one-quarter turn clockwise to release it.

image-20250430-194357.png

Figure 3: Emergency Stop button.

  1. Push the blue Reset button to enable the machine.

image-20250430-194427.png

Figure 4: Reset button.

The axis drives are now powered on.

  1. Verify that the blue Reset LED comes on. From the PathPilot interface, on the Status tab, verify that the Machine OK light changes from yellow to green.
    Once both are on, the machine is powered on and ready to operate.

image-20250313-134007.png

Figure 5: Machine OK light on the Status tab.

  1. Select Reset.

image-20250313-133552.png

Figure 6: Reset Button

This initializes the connection between the machine and controller.

Verify Limit Switch Function

You must confirm that the limit switches correctly operate.

  1. From the PathPilot interface, on the Status tab, identify the X Limit, Y Limit, and Z Limit lights.

image-20250430-195741.png

Figure 7: X Limit, Y Limit, and Z Limit lights on the Status tab.

  1. On the machine, identify the X, Y, and Z limit switches.

image-20250430-195828.png

Figure 8: Machine limit switches.

  1. Hold a piece of steel (like a screwdriver or a wrench) up to each limit switch.
    The red light on each limit switch is on until the steel is within sensing range, at which point the red light dims or turns off.
    From the PathPilot interface, on the Status tab, the corresponding X Limit, Y Limit, and Z Limit lights come on.

  2. From the PathPilot interface, select Reset.

Verify Axes Function

You must confirm that the axes correctly operate.

  1. Select the Page Up key on the keyboard to move the spindle head up (Z+).

  2. Remove and discard the shipping block from the machine table.

  3. Reference the axes: from the PathPilot interface, select Ref Z, Ref X and Ref Y.

image-20250430-200812.png

Figure 9: Ref Z, Ref X, and Ref Y buttons.

The machine moves to the reference position.

  1. Use the keyboard to verify axes motion:

  • Select the Right Arrow key and then the Left Arrow key.
    The spindle moves right (X+), then left (X-).

  • Select the Up Arrow key and then the Down Arrow key.
    The gantry moves toward the back end of the table (Y+), then toward the front (Y-).

  • Select the Page Down key and then the Page Up key.
    The spindle head moves down (Z-), then up (Z+).

  1. If applicable, verify the optional Jog Shuttle:

  • Press any axis button on the Jog Shuttle — X, Y, Z, or A — to select an axis.

image-20250430-201019.png

Figure 10: Functions on the optional Jog Shuttle.

From the PathPilot interface, on the Main tab, the corresponding green Axis light comes on.

image-20250430-201056.png

Figure 11: Axis lights.

  • Turn the Jog Shuttle Ring in any direction to move the selected axis, then turn it in the opposite direction to reverse the direction.

Verify Spindle Function

You must confirm that the spindle correctly operates.

  1. Remove the collet and nut from the spindle, if installed.

  2. If you haven't already done so, turn on the water chiller.

  3. From the PathPilot interface, confirm that the Spindle Override slider isn't set to 0% (when it's set to 0%, the slider is yellow). To clear the override, select RPM 100%.

image-20250430-201144.png

Figure 12: Spindle Override slider.

NOTE: The Spindle Override slider changes the programmed spindle speed by a specific percentage. If it's set to 0%, the spindle won't move during the following steps in this procedure. For information, see “About Spindle Override”.

NOTE: If you have an Operator Console, make sure the RPM knob isn’t set to 0%. If it is, turn the RPM knob.

  1. From the PathPilot interface, in the RPM DRO field, type 10,000. Then select the Enter key.

  2. Select FWD.

image-20250430-201920.png

Figure 13: Spindle controls.

The spindle rotates clockwise (viewed from above) at 10,000 rpm.

  1. Select STOP.
    The spindle stops rotating.

  2. In the RPM DRO field, type 11,000. Then select the Enter key.

  3. Select FWD.

  4. The spindle rotates clockwise (viewed from above) at 11,000 rpm.

  5. Repeat the procedure in 1000 rpm intervals up to 24,000 rpm.

Power Off the Machine

  1. Push the Emergency Stop button to lock it into the disabled position.

Figure 14: Emergency Stop button.

With the Emergency Stop button in the disabled position all motion and spindle function stops, the Reset button is disabled , and the blue Reset LED goes off. From the PathPilot interface, on the Status tab, the Machine OK light illuminates yellow.

  1. From the PathPilot interface, select Exit.

  2. When prompted, select OK.

  3. Once the PathPilot interface indicates that it's safe to power off the machine, turn the Main Disconnect switch to OFF.

Figure 15: Example of the Main Disconnect switch in the Off position.

Mains power is disconnected from the machine.

Looking for more information?

This is a section of the 24R operator's manual. To view the whole manual, go to Tormach document UM10564.

If you have additional questions, we can help. Create a support ticket with Tormach Technical Support at tormach.com/how-to-submit-a-support-ticket for guidance on how to proceed.

JavaScript errors detected

Please note, these errors can depend on your browser setup.

If this problem persists, please contact our support.