Verify the Installation
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.
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.
Primary Power Required Single-Phase 115 Vac, 50/60 Hz
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.
Push the Power button on the power strip.
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.
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:
Standard Monitor Go to the next step.
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.
Figure 3: Emergency Stop button.
Push the green Start button to enable the machine.
Figure 4: Reset button.
The axis drives are now powered on.
From the PathPilot interface, on the Status tab, verify that the Machine OK light changes from yellow to green.
The machine is powered on and ready to operate.
Figure 5: Machine OK light on the Status tab.
Select Reset.
Figure 6: Reset button.
This initializes the connection between the machine and controller.
Power off the Machine
Push the Emergency Stop button to lock it into the disabled position.
Figure 7: Emergency Stop button.
With the Emergency Stop button in the disabled position all motion and spindle function stops, the Start button is disabled. 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.
Verify Limit Switch Function
You must confirm that the limit switches correctly operate.
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 START button.
From the PathPilot interface, on the Status tab, identify the X Limit, Y Limit, and Z Limit lights.
Figure 9: X Limit, Y Limit, and Z Limit lights on the Status tab.
On the machine, identify the X, Y, and Z limit switches.
Figure 10: Machine limit switches.
One at a time, press the X, Y, and Z limit switches.
From the PathPilot interface, on the Status tab, the corresponding X Limit, Y Limit, and Z Limit lights come 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.
Select the Page Up key on the keyboard to move the spindle head up (Z+).
Remove and discard the shipping block from the machine table.
Reference the axes: from the PathPilot interface, select Ref Z, Ref X and Ref Y.
Figure 11: Ref Z, Ref X, and Ref Y buttons.
The machine moves to the reference position.
Use the keyboard to verify axes motion:
Select the Right Arrow key and then the Left Arrow key.
The table moves left (X+), then right (X-).Select the Down Arrow key and then the Up Arrow key.
The table moves away from you (Y-), then toward you (Y+).Select the Page Down key and then the Page Up key.
The spindle head moves down (Z-), then up (Z+).
If applicable, verify the optional Jog Shuttle:
Press any axis button on the Jog Shuttle — X, Y, Z, or A — to select an axis.
Figure 12: Functions on the optional Jog Shuttle.
From the PathPilot interface, on the Main tab, the corresponding green Axis light comes on.
Figure 13: Axis lights.
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.
Verify Spindle Function
You must confirm that the spindle correctly operates.
Open the spindle door and locate the spindle belt.
From the PathPilot interface, confirm that the Spindle Range button matches the spindle belt position.
Figure 14: Spindle Range button.
If necessary, select Spindle Range to match the spindle's belt position.
Close and latch the spindle door.
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%.
Figure 15: 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.
From the PathPilot interface, in the RPM DRO field, type 500. Then select the Enter key.
Select FWD.
Figure 16: Spindle controls.
The spindle rotates clockwise at 500 rpm.
Select STOP.
The spindle stops rotating.
Select STOP.
The spindle stops rotating.
Looking for more information?
This is a section of the PCNC 440 operator's manual. To view the whole manual, go to Tormach document UM10372.
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.