The forum has become quite a yard sale this past week. I can’t even find the question I posted yesterday so I’ll ask here.
Does anyone know how the new 4th axis brakes? I’m so accustomed to having a pneumatic brake on the machines at work, that it just skipped my mind when I ordered the “revolution”.
I believe the brake is energized to run and default without power a spring sets the brake.
Pat
I see. But does it brake while power is on? In one of the videos it shows the guy with the mustache spinning the chuck when it doesn’t have power.
I guess I’m confused about when it’s “locked” and when it’s not. I’m trying to find out whether or not it’s just using “holding current”.
I don’t dispute your answer but as a matter of habit, I tend to dismiss any statement that begins with “I believe…”
There is not a brake motor on the 4th axis rotary.
Is there resistance to being moved by the tool when the 4th axis is not turning?
Sorry, I didn’t see it was the 4th axis where I replied. My response was related to the Z axis in which the brake engages when powered off. My 4th axis does not have a braking stepper.
Pat
I’ll re-phrase with a scenario. If you wanted to put a 4x4 in the chuck and do a 3d carving on all four faces, with no 4th axis rotation other than turning 90 degrees and stopping. Is there resistance? Or does the 4th axis need to be turning while doing any machining?
Just holding current, not seen many on this forum doing index rotary, Vectric only supports two sided machining and not with a Rotary axis, Fusion probably does.
Holding current is pretty strong, I would say no issue with what it sounds like you want to do.
Pat
Thank you, I suspected holding current and the reason I ask is that I’m concerned about heat building when it’s sitting idle for long periods of time, like a few hours or more.
Holding current, like axis already have. No issues with heat buildup over time.
Not sure if this is helpful or not, but I recently added a 4th axis to my Elite Wordworker using one I found on Amazon. I replaced the stepper with a Masso that I purchased from OF, it looks like the same one they use on theirs. I have done a few carves on it, and I can confirm that the workpiece has no play in it once everything is mounted up. In fact, you would be hard pressed to force the rotary to turn manually. It is that secure, and I attribute that to the Masso stepper (but I could be wrong).