[BorislavS]

Hi All.
I've recently started learning cnc maintenance matter. I'm practicing on MAZAK I ntegrex 30. As I see, when "clamp" operation is done on main spindle (clamp LED is on), I've got the same effect as when "brake" is done (brake LED is on).
I wondered, what difference is between "clamp" and "brake" of spindle is, in sense of mechanics as well as in sense of control system.
Thanks

[fizzissist]

Been awhile since my Mazak days...

If I recall, clamping and un-clamping the spindle is related to utilizing the spindle as a C-axis... that is, you "clamp" it so that it can be indexed or driven by degrees, then "un-clamp" so that it can be used as a regular spindle.

Brake, as I recall, does just that, it applies a gripping force.

Not sure on the Integrex, but possible you could use both simultaneously? You clamp the spindle to use it as a rotary table in effect, then use the brake to lock it in a particular position for live tooling.

I wouldn't mind a little refresher on this myself.