55
TRAK Machine Tools
Southwestern Industries, Inc.
ProtoTRAK SMX, K2, K3 & K4 & Retrofit Safety, Installation, Maintenance, Service and Parts List Manual
4.0 Diagnostics
This section explains the diagnostic procedures used to isolate service problems.
4.1 The Machine Tool & Set-Up
4.1.1 The Milling Machine Checklist
The following is a quick reference for the types of problems that may arise if problems are noticed in these areas.
Problems With:
Can Contribute To:
Most Suspect When (and why):
Spindle bearings
See Spindle Replacement
Noisy head
Parts incorrect
Circles out of round
Older machines, machines that are
pushed hard
Lubrication system
Premature wear of ball screws,
wear surfaces. Faulting
Poor finish
New installations (may not be
hooked up or line sheared)
Inadequate lubrication habits
Premature wear of ball screws,
wear surfaces
Poor finish
Faulting
New installations (more motion than
the machinist is used to with a
manual mill) Lubricate machine
every morning before use.
Gib locks - on X and Y axis
If locked can lead to axis faults. Note: when using the CNC to
machine, never tighten the gib locks!
X and Y gibs loose
See Gib Adjustment - Section 5.2.1
Taper on straight Y moves
Poor finish
Circle out of round
When machine hasn’t been serviced
in a long while.
Gibs too tight
Not getting to position, does not
repeat, axis faults
Poor finish
N/A
Gibs floating
Not getting to position, does not
repeat, axis faults
Poor finish
Contact area of gibs. May need to
be scraped. Very old machines may
not have any more adjustments on
gib. A new gib will need to be fit on
the machine.
Gibs defective - bowed, scarred
Excess play when gib is checked
side to side
Inadequate gib contact
Way surfaces pocked, scarred, or
excessively worn
Poor finish
Out of round circles
Faulting
Inadequate lubrication
Machine not level
Weight not distributed evenly on all
four screws
See
Leveling procedures
Parts incorrect
Machine geometry off, i.e. tram.
New installation or heavy crash.
Relocation of mill.
Head out of tram
See Tramming Head - Section 5.2.3
Leaves uneven surfaces on
bottom of pockets.
Machine not level
4.1.2 A Special Word About X & Y Gibs
The slideway surfaces are vital to the performance of the bed mill.
Gibs should be:
flat
free of twist
free of burrs
free of blockages in the oil passages and channels