[jphodson]

Has anyone seen or know about some sort of comfirmation device for the part ejector used in cnc lathes particularly an Okuma LT300 w/P200 control?
Something that will throw an alarm/slide hold.

FYI, my first post so excuse any screwups. :wave:

[Algirdas]

what's the problem at first?

[jphodson]

Occasionlly a part will not be ejected from the sub spindle because of a chip buildup or whatever then the sub (W-axis) will advance to main spindle to grab the next part and there's an undesirable meeting of the two.

[Algirdas]

a part will not be ejected from the sub spindle because of a chip buildup or whatever
You can make sensor on the bucket. maybe combination of two: one sensor is actuated - just button pressed by some tool (according part program) and timer starts. Timer causes error if no reset from second sensor, dropping part.
error action - up to you. You can activate slide hold, for instance
there's an undesirable meeting of the two
two parts could be damaged, sure. You will get an alarm of W overload, it protects the machine only.
There is another, simple solution. Use a tool to side touch not ejected part. No chance to keep it in the sub-chuck (unclamped) while pushing a little with the tool.
The third solution. Sure, you can make confirmation sensor. A pin, pushed by spring towards the part. The pusher must be hollow, you need proper sealing, you need additional electrical input, appropriate software ... bla bla bla ---

[jphodson]

Thanks Algirdas, good ideas. I'm going to try taking a tool like the cutoff and using load monitor to sense wheather there's a part there or not. In the mean time work on adding prox switches to the part catcher.

[Algirdas]

using load monitor to sense wheather there's a part there or not
load monitor will not sense unclamped part. Make the tool path so, that it will not leave the part in the chuck for sure.

[jphodson]

Thanks, looks like it will work.