Rottler F103 Series, Installation Manual, Operation And Maintenance Manual

Page: 36 / 318

Section 2 Installation F103/4/5A Manual
www.rottlermfg.com
2-25
IMPORTANT! Placement of Machine
It is critical that the machine be placed in an area of the facility that has a stable thermal environment. The
machine should be kept away from direct sunlight, large heating units, and doorways that would allow
outside air direct contact on the machine.
Exposure to the above and other extremes in temperature will cause thermal drift to occur in the
machines which could have a detrimental effect on machining accuracy. A number of unrepeatable errors
in machine performance have been linked to this condition.
Location
The productivity of this machine will depend a great deal on its proper initial installation. Pay particular
attention to the means by which work pieces are lifted into the machine as well as the material handling to
and from other operations in your shop.
The proper loading arrangement and area location for your F103/4/5A machine is extremely important.
A slow travel (6’ to 10’ per minute) power hoist, operated from either a bridge crane or a jib crane
arrangement works very well. Verify the hoist has a rating that exceeds the load being lifted.
For the shop where large production runs are anticipated, the work pieces should be directly loaded
and unloaded from a conveyor. If this is not the case we recommend considerable attention be given to
the crane so that it covers an adequate area, to allow the operator to back up and remove work pieces
without creating a dangerous, cluttered work area.
Unpacking
Use care in removing the crate materials from the machine. Be careful not to use force on any part of the
machine.
Remove the toolbox, parallels and optional equipment from the machine. Completely clean these articles
as well as the rest of the machine with solvent. Rust inhibitor was applied, at the time of shipment. Any of
this left on the machine, will allow cast iron dust to collect in that area, which could cause premature wear.
Column Hold Down
The machine was shipped with the column held in place with chains and turnbuckles to the Main bed. Do
not attempt to move the machine under power until these restraints have been removed.
Leveling
Located in the bottom of the main base are the leveling and tie down screws. If care is taken, the main
base can be leveled extremely accurately. Start by placing the jacking pads under the jacking screws.
Adjust the jacking screws so the lowest point of the main base is at least 1/4” off the jacking pad. Make
sure all the jacking screws are touching their jacking pads. Use a precision machinist’s level, and
check the base at several points to get an idea where the high and low spots are, adjust evenly where
necessary. Start with the back way surface. With your precision level, level the back way in the lengthwise
direction to .0005” per foot. Take the readings approximately mid way between the jacking points.
Use a precision metal support to span the distance between the front and rear parallels. (Support must be
parallel within .0005” in its length). Take readings over every jacking bolt and level within .0005” over the
length of the base. Be sure to use the jacking points down the middle of the main base.
Recheck the way surfaces for level. Now check the machine table. Using the front jacking screws level
the table within .0005” in both directions.
Be sure that all jacking bolts have approximately equal weight on them. As you go leveling the base snug
the tie down bolts to help hold the main base in place. Recheck all areas of the main base for level.