[panaceabea]

I am usure if the tailstock on my 95 kt15 is having problems or if I just dont know how to operate it.

After homing the machine I have to insure the tailstock is fully retracted and the indicator light is on or I get an AL27 message Centering not complete when I attempt to jog , start spindle etc. I assume this is normal .

If i understand the manual correctly when a piece of stock as been center drilled and clamped in the collet I then need to push the Tailstock forward button , at this point the tailstock travels forward , engages the work piece and the drive motor shuts down. The light indicating the tailstock is forward never lights , I never hear the deadheading (whine) sound from the hydraulic pump that would indicate its applying any pressure to the cyl in the tail stock and the gauge for the tailstock never comes off zero.

Is there some other step I am missing ? The service guy is 5 hours 1 way from me and I dont want a service call just because I have missed something simple.

I did pull the way cover off the rear side of the tailstock since the parts manual shows 3 prox switches at the rear of the screw that moves the tailstock. When I push the forward button and the tailstock travels forward everything looks well, when the center engages the work a collar around the screw moves rearward aprox 1 inch away from two of the prox switches which are arranged around it . One is lighted when the collar is present, the other lights when the collar moves. The third prox sensor as arranged to indicate when the tailstock is fully retracted and seems to be working fine.

When the center presses on the work piece , collar moves back , the drive motor shuts off , whats supposed to happen next ? Is the solenoid valve that pressurises the cyl in the tailstock supposed to energize?

Apologies for the long post , just want to get up to speed without a service call if possible. Thanks

[panaceabea]

one of the 3 prox switches seems to be bad, new one in route