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

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.
1. Primary Power Required Single-Phase 115 Vac, 50/60 Hz
2. Recommended Circuit Amperage Dedicated 15 A breaker
Connect the machine's mains power cable to the verified electrical service.
Find the Main Disconnect switch, and then remove the hang tag.

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

Turn the Main Disconnect switch to ON.

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

Mains power is now connected to the machine.

Push the Power button on the PathPilot controller, if it's not already powered on.
On the Tormach Machine Configuration screen, verify that the version displayed in the lower right-hand corner is at least v2.7.0. If the version is older (or if no version is displayed), select Update.
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.

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

Push the blue Reset button to enable the machine.

The axis drives are now powered on.

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.

Figure 5: Machine OK light on the Status tab.

Select Reset.

This initializes the connection between the machine and controller.

Verify Limit Switch Function

You must confirm that the limit switches correctly operate.

From the PathPilot interface, on the Status tab, identify the Limits light.

Figure 9: Limits light on the Status tab.

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 Limits light comes on.
From the PathPilot interface, select Reset.

Verify Axes Function

You must confirm that the axes correctly operate.

Power on the machine and bring it out of Reset.
Reference the axes: from the PathPilot interface, select Ref Z, Ref X.

Figure 10: Ref Z, Ref X, and Ref Y buttons.

The machine moves to the reference position.

Use the keyboard to verify axes motion:
1. Select the Up Arrow key and then the Down Arrow key.
  The carriage moves away from you (X+), then toward you (X-).
2. Select the Right Arrow key and then the Left Arrow key.
  The carriage moves right (Z+), then left (Z-).
If applicable, verify the optional Jog Shuttle:
1. Press any axis button on the Jog Shuttle — X, Y, Z, or A — to select an axis.

Figure 11: Functions on the optional Jog Shuttle.

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

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

NOTE: On this machine, two of the axis selection buttons – Y-axis and A-axis – won't result in any motion if selected.

Verify Spindle Function

You must confirm that the spindle correctly operates.

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%.

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".

On the PathPilot controller, confirm that the RPM knob isn't set to 0%. If it is, turn the RPM knob.
From the PathPilot interface, in the RPM DRO field, type 180. Then select the Enter key.
Select FWD.

The spindle rotates clockwise at 180 rpm.

Examine the spindle direction: verify that it's rotating counterclockwise, as shown in the following image.

Figure 15: Spindle rotating counterclockwise, in the correct forward direction.

Select STOP.
The spindle stops rotating.
Select REV.
The spindle rotates clockwise at 180 rpm.
Examine the spindle direction: verify that it's rotating clockwise, as shown in the following image.

Figure 16: Spindle rotating clockwise, in the correct reverse direction.

Select Stop.
The spindle stops rotating.

Power Off the Machine

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

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.

From the PathPilot interface, select Exit.
When prompted, select OK.
Once the PathPilot interface indicates that it's safe to power off the machine, turn the Main Disconnect switch to OFF.

Figure 8: 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 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.