Recessed Installation & Calibration¶

The following video can be used as a complimentary guide during installation and calibration of your Avid CNC rotary axis.

An assembly video is available as a complimentary guide during installation and calibration of your Avid CNC rotary axis: https://youtu.be/dJZ4IF69yu0

1.1 Machine Preparation¶

• The recessed (undermount) rotary mounting kit allows the rotary assembly to be installed between any two crossmembers that are within the work area of your Avid PRO CNC Machine. The images used throughout the mounting process that show the rotary assembly installed at the front of the machine are for illustrative purposes only.
• The following steps to prepare your machine will ease in the installation and calibration of your rotary assembly.

1.1.1 Table Crossmembers¶

1.1.1.1¶

• Ensure the tops of the table crossmembers are flush with the top of the table side extrusion. Adjust the crossmembers as needed.

1.1.1.2¶

• Ensure the two crossmembers where the rotary assembly will be installed are spaced 360mm (14-3/16") apart, inside edge to inside edge. Adjust the crossmembers as needed.

1.2 Recessed Installation¶

Parts and Tools Required¶

1.2.1 Mounting Plates¶

1.2.1.1¶

• Thread fasteners into the mounting plate as indicated.

1.2.1.2¶

• Position the fasteners 6mm (1/4") above the plate and hand tighten the jam nuts on the bottom.

1.2.1.3¶

• On the tailstock end of the rotary assembly, insert t-nuts in the bottom t-slot of the extrusion as indicated.

1.2.1.4¶

• Position the t-nuts to the dimensions shown.

1.2.1.5¶

• Repeat this process to install t-nuts in the 4080 extrusion under the chuck plate.
• Position to t-nuts using the same dimensions as the previous step.

1.2.1.6¶

• Attach the mounting plates to the underside of your crossmembers as indicated, partially tightening the fasteners.

1.2.1.7¶

• On the side where you are going to locate the tail stock, position the mounting plate flush with the end of the crossmember.
• Fully tighten the fasteners attaching this mounting plate to the crossmembers.

1.2.1.8¶

• On the side where you are going to locate the chuck, position the mounting plate 124mm (4-7/8") from the end of the crossmember.
• Fully tighten the fasteners attaching this mounting plate to the crossmembers.

1.2.2 Rotary Assembly¶

1.2.2.1¶

• Place the rotary assembly on to the mounting plates as indicated.

1.2.2.2¶

• It may be necessary to adjust the position of the chuck-side mounting plate to allow the jack screws to freely locate in the rear t-slot of the 4080 rotary crossmember.

1.2.2.3¶

• Attach the rotary assembly to the mounting plates as indicated, partially tightening the fasteners.

1.2.2.4¶

• Center the rotary assembly between the table crossmembers as indicated.

1.2.2.5¶

• Fully tighten the indicated fasteners.

1.2.2.6¶

• Fully tighten the indicated fasteners.

1.2.3 Mid Supports¶

1.2.3.1¶

• Thread the indicated fastener with jam nut into the mid-support plate.

1.2.3.2¶

• Position the fastener 6mm (1/4") above the plate and hand tighten the jam nut on the bottom.

1.2.3.3¶

• Repeat the process to assemble a second mid-support plate.

1.2.3.4¶

• Attach an assembled mid-support plate between the rotary frame and table crossmember as indicated, partially tightening the fasteners.

1.2.3.5¶

• Position the mid-support using the appropriate dimension from the table below.

1.2.3.6¶

• Tighten ONLY the indicated fasteners on both mid-support plates.

1.2.4 Motor & Sensor Connections¶

1.2.4.1¶

• Attach the sensor and motor cable to the control box as indicated (Plug and Play Control Systems purchased prior to October 2019 will use the "X+" sensor port).

1.3 Calibration¶

Parts and Tools Required¶

1.3.1 Mach4 Setup¶

The instructions for calibrating your Avid CNC Rotary Axis make use of Avid CNC's version of Mach4 CNC controller software (ensure you have v1.0.4 or newer)Avid CNC's version of Mach4 CNC controller software, version 1.0.4 or newer (/mach4-cnc-control-software-p-165.html) and the Auto Z and Corner Finding Touch PlateAuto Z and Corner Finding Touch Plate (/auto-z-and-corner-finding-touch-plate-p-288.html). Follow the instructions below to configure Mach4 for use with your rotary axis.

1.3.1.1¶

• In the Avid Mach4 ConfigurationAvid Mach4 Configuration menu, select the Avid CNC Rotary Axis 4th Axis option.
• Select the appropriate length of your rotary axis.
• Save these changes.

1.3.1.2¶

• On the Machine Setup TabMachine Setup Tab, select a Rotary Axis Enabled cutting method.

1.3.2 Frame Alignment¶

The frame alignment procedure will assist in leveling your rotary frame across the length of the gantry, as well as squaring the rotary frame in relation to your machine.

1.3.2.1¶

• Using a 1/2" collet, insert the CRP190-07 stepped dowel pin into the spindle until the indicated groove is at the bottom of the collet.
• Fully tighten the collet nut.

1.3.2.2¶

• Position the tail stock at the end of the rotary frame as indicated.
• Lock the tail stock in place using the spring plungers.

1.3.2.3¶

• Place your auto Z touch plate on the touch plate isolator.
• Position the bottom of the dowel pin roughly 25mm (1") above the center of the touch plate.

1.3.2.4¶

• Ensure the magnet from the touch plate is attached to the collet nut on the spindle.

1.3.2.5¶

• Open Mach4 and click the Auto Z Touch Plate button.

1.3.2.6¶

• There will now be a Rotary tab with rotary-specific touch off and calibration functions.

1.3.2.7¶

• In the Rotary Calibration section, select the Mounting Type and Orientation of your rotary assembly.
• The Diagram buttons show the orientation for each Mounting Orientation option.

1.3.2.8¶

• Enter the tool diameter of 8 and select mm for the units.

1.3.2.9¶

• Click the Frame Alignment button.

1.3.2.10¶

• Follow the instructions shown in Mach4 for Rotary Frame Alignment: Step 1 to probe the first position.

1.3.2.11¶

• Follow the instructions shown in Mach4 for Rotary Frame Alignment: Step 2 to probe the second position.

1.3.2.12¶

• You will now see two values on the screen:
  • Adjustment Distance: Amount to adjust the end of the rotary frame shown in the image. This will square the rotary frame to the gantry.
  • Raise Chuck/Tailstock End: Amount to adjust the jack screws on the designated end of the rotary frame. This will level the rotary frame in relation to your machine table.

1.3.2.13¶

• At the three indicated corners, loosen the fasteners attaching the undermount plates to the machine crossmembers.

1.3.2.14¶

• Adjust the frame in the direction and amount that was shown on the screen in Mach4shown on the screen in Mach4 (Step 1.3.2.12).

1.3.2.15¶

• At the three indicated corners, tighten the fasteners.

1.3.2.16¶

• In the following steps, adjust the jack screws at the location indicated on the screen in Mach4.

1.3.2.17¶

• Loosen the indicated fasteners attaching the undermount plates to the rotary frame.

1.3.2.18¶

• Loosen the jack screw jam nuts.
• Tighten the jack screws to raise the rotary frame.

1.3.2.19¶

• Tighten the fasteners and jam nuts at the indicated locations.

1.3.2.20¶

• Use the Repeat Frame Alignment button to verify your adjustments using the touch off routine.
• If no more adjustments are required, click the Set Mid-Supports button.

1.3.3 Mid-Supports¶

1.3.3.1¶

• Tighten the indicated mid-support fasteners.

1.3.3.2¶

• Follow the instructions shown in Mach4 for Rotary Frame Alignment: Step 4 to probe at the mid-support location.

1.3.3.3¶

• You will now see an amount to adjust the mid-support jack screws.

1.3.3.4¶

• Loosen the fasteners attaching the mid-support plates to the rotary frame.

1.3.3.5¶

• Loosen the jack screw jam nuts.
• Tighten the jack screws to raise the center of the rotary frame.

1.3.3.6¶

• Tighten the fasteners and jam nuts at the indicated locations.

1.3.3.7¶

• Use the Repeat Set Mid-Supports button to verify your adjustments using the touch off routine.
• If no more adjustments are required, click the Exit Frame Alignment button.

1.4 Touch Plate Offset¶

This section will determine the offset from the touch plate to the center of the chuck for the Z axis and axis perpendicular to the rotary frame. You will then be able to use the touch plate to set your rotary fixture offsets. This procedure will only need to be completed during initial assembly and installation.

Parts and Tools Required¶

1.4.1 Set Offset¶

1.4.1.1¶

• Position the preinstalled busing at the end of the chuck locating pin as indicated.

1.4.1.2¶

• Insert the Chuck Locating Pin into the chuck.

1.4.1.3¶

• With the flange of the bushing flush against the chuck jaws, tighten the chuck.

1.4.1.4¶

• Remove the tailstock live center.

1.4.1.5¶

• Position the tailstock as indicated and lock in place.
• Ensure the magnet from the touch plate is attached to the collet nut on the spindle.

1.4.1.6¶

• Set the tool diameter to 8mm.
• Click the Set Touch Plate Offset button.

1.4.1.7¶

• Follow the instructions shown in Mach4 for Set Touch Plate Offset: Step 1 to probe the touch plate location.

1.4.1.8¶

• Position the spindle over the over the Chuck Location Pin as indicated.

1.4.1.9¶

• Connect the magnet from the touch plate to the collet nut on the spindle.
• Connect the magnet from the Chuck Locating Pin to the touch plate.

1.4.1.10¶

• Follow the instructions shown in Mach4 for Set Touch Plate Offset: Step 2 to probe the Chuck Locating Pin.

1.4.1.11¶

• The touch plate is now ready to be used with your rotary assembly.