[J5klein1]

Hello all. First time posting in the Fadal area, but I've been a long time lurker during my search for my first vmc. I finally found one (1998 vmc15xt) and won it at auction. However, the machine is now in a warehouse with no power and the counter weight is not pinned. Can I move the z ball screw by hand to lower the head and what would be the best way of doing that.
Thanks
Jason

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[ianagos]

Take off the z axis way guard and the screw will be exposed I’m not sure if you’ll be able to turn it by hand but you can try.

[Tedger]

Yes, If you can get to it. It might be easier to remove the 4 bolts holding the Z motor on and rotating the coupling to lower the head. Use a sharpie to mark how the motor clocks to the ball screw or you'll have to adjust your resolver if you clock it different.( Not a big deal)

[ianagos]

Yes, If you can get to it. It might be easier to remove the 4 bolts holding the Z motor on and rotating the coupling to lower the head. Use a sharpie to mark how the motor clocks to the ball screw or you'll have to adjust your resolver if you clock it different.( Not a big deal)

I thought about that but hard to reach in and get a good grip on the coupler.

[J5klein1]

Thanks guys. Do you know off hand what size the z way cover bolts are? I might try that and see where it gets me.

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[Tedger]

7/16" - If you drop the way cover, make sure you clean out all the chips packed in the bottom.

[J5klein1]

Thanks. It looks like the machine was cleaned out very well before being shipped to the auction site. It came out of a GE plant consolidation. Very clean machine. Best one I have seen in my 6 months of shopping around for one.

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[ASIGuy]

Grab some gloves and turn the ballscrew. The counterweight makes it easy to turn unless you have a bound up Z axis ballscrew or bearings.

FadalCNC Tech Support.