Haas Automation VF Series, Control Book

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1
January 2004
CONTROL OPERATION
The Information contained in this control book may be updated at least once a year. Any updates, and other helpful information, can
be downloaded in pdf format from the Haas website. Go to www.HaasCNC.com and click on “customer services” and select
”Haas Training” on the drop-down menu of the navigation bar. Or just type in www.HaasCNC.com/training to get the latest training
information on the Haas website.
Haas technical manuals and information are also available on-line as a free download in pdf format (go to www.HaasCNC.com and
click on “customer services” and select “Operator Manual Updates” on the drop-down menu of the navigation bar), or they may be
purchased through the Haas Service Department. These Reference Manuals and addendum’s contain information on parameters,
alarms, machine installation instructions, and explanations of the machine’s mechanical and electrical subassemblies. They’re also
some of these manuals in Spanish that can be downloaded.
B
ASIC
I
NTRODUCTION
The first part of this book provides Haas control description necessary to begin operating the machine. The
remainder of this book contains control tips to use on the Haas control.
In a “CNC” (computerized numerically controlled) machine tool, the machine is monitored by a computer, and
the tool is controlled by a code system that enables it to be operated with minimal supervision and a great deal
of repeatability.
The same principles used in operating a manual machine are used in operating a CNC machine. The main
difference is that instead of cranking handles to position a slide to a certain point, you use the Haas control to
position and locate a part that is being setup on a Haas machine that’s been programmed with part dimension
stored in the control memory of the machine. The control will then move the machine to these programmed
positions each time the program is run.
The operation of the VF Series Vertical Machining Center requires that a part program be designed, written, and
entered into the memory of the control. A common way of writing part programs is off-line, that is, away from
the Haas CNC machine in an area that can save the program and send it to the CNC control. One way of
sending a part program to a CNC machine is via an RS-232 interface. The HAAS VF Series Vertical Machining
Center has an RS-232 interface that is compatible with most existing computers and CNCs.
In order to operate a CNC controlled machine, a basic understanding of machining practices and a working
knowledge of math is necessary. It is also important to become familiar with the control console and the
placement of the switches, keys, displays, etc., that are pertinent to the operation of the HAAS Mill.