Align Quick Change Tool Post Kit
Required Tools
This procedure requires the following tools. Collect them before you begin.
Adjustable wrench
Dead-blow hammer
Magnetic dial test indicator
Metric hex wrench set
Rust preventative
Figure 1: Tool post installed.
Install the Tool into the Quick Change Tool Holder
Find a tool and its equivalent tool holder, and put the tool into the tool holder. Lock the tool into the tool holder: with the tool pointing toward you, tighten the hex head screws.
Figure 2: A tool with its equivalent tool holder.
Set the rough tool height by adjusting the thumb screw. Then, secure it in place with the stop nut. You'll make fine adjustments later in this procedure to bring the tool plane on center with the spindle.
Figure 3: Adjustment components on the tool holder.
To attach the tool holder, the tool post must be in the unlocked position: move the tool post handle up.
Figure 4: Quick change tool post positions.
Put the tool holder onto the tool post, and then move the tool post handle down to the locked position.
Before operating the machine, you must make sure that the quick change tool holder is aligned. Go to "Align the Tool".
To Use a Boring Bar
To attach the tool holder, the tool post must be in the unlocked position: move the tool post handle up.
Put the tool into the boring bar holder.
Put the tool holder onto the tool post, and then move the tool post handle down to the locked position.
Lock the tool into the tool holder: tighten its two hex head screws.
Figure 5: Boring bar installed in a boring bar tool holder.
Tip! When you remove the tool, loosen the hex head screws, and gently tap them with a dead-blow hammer.
Align the Tool
Power on the machine and the PathPilot controller.
Turn the Main Disconnect switch to ON, on the side of the electrical cabinet.
Twist out the machine's red Emergency Stop button, which enables movement to the machine axes and the spindle.
Press the Reset button.
Bring the machine out of reset and reference it.
Attach a magnetic dial test indicator to the spindle.
Put the indicator tip on the face of the tool holder.
Figure 6: Magnetic dial test indicator on the face of the tool holder.
Slowly jog the machine along the X-axis to move the indicator tip along the face of the tool.
Adjust the quick change tool post alignment as necessary: use a 3 mm hex wrench to adjust the two set screws on the front and right sides of the quick change tool post risers to clock the tool post until the indicator reads zero.
Figure 7: Aligning the quick change tool post.
Securely tighten the tool post nut with an adjustable wrench.
Figure 8: Tool post nut securely tightened with an adjustable wrench.
Repeat Steps 4 through 5 to make sure that the tool post is still correctly aligned after tightening the tool post nut.
Looking for more information?
This is a section of the 8L operator's manual. To view the whole manual, go to Tormach document UM10753.
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.