This insures that the signal is reliably transmitted from the CNC control to the solenoid valve. If the lights don’t flash consistently with M12 and M13, then you have a different problem.
Could be bad relay on Connect Card (1CR) or bad driver on motion card (MC2).
Air Pack on GT
If the lights flash reliably with M12 / M13, and the collet actuates reliably using the push-buttons on the Operator's Station (Palm Box), install an Auxiliary Power Supply Kit (p/n 995-09-004).
If the collet doesn't actuate reliably from the Palm Box, but the lights on the MAC valve light, scroll down for further troubleshooting.
Collet Actuator Buttons
If the collet does not actuate reliably with the Palm Box, but the lights on the MAC valve light, the problem could be mechanical, either in the collet closer or the MAC valve.
To verify that the voltage is good, open the spindle electronics cabinet and power up the machine.
With servos on, and DC voltmeter leads on TB1-12 and TB1-13, meter should read at least 11 volts when collet open button is pressed. Move leads to TB1-14 and TB1-15: meter should read at least 11 volts when collet close button is pressed.
If the voltages are correct, and the lights on the MAC valves light, but the collet doesn’t actuate, the issue could be mechanical.
If your voltage is over 10.5 volts but the collet closer doesn't operate, it could be a sticky valve, or the collet closer itself may be sticking. Verify that the collet closer is not stuck by loosening the thumbscrew that locks the drawtube, and turning the knurled knob so as to adjust the collet.
TB1 Terminal Strip
Also, when the collet is supposed to clamp but fails to do so, pop the unclamp air line off the back end of the collet closer. No air should come from the line or from the collet closer. If the collet closes when you pop that air line off, the valve must not be allowing air to exhaust from the cylinder.
If nothing happens when you pop the unclamp line off,
put it back on and pop the clamp line off. Air should blast out of that one when it's disconnected, so be ready to push the Unclamp button to shut it off. If air doesn't come out of the disconnected clamp line, the valve has failed to switch.
Order Mac Double Solenoid Valve Only p/n 997-15-007.
First verify the auxiliary power supply is installed correctly: with servos on, put DC voltmeter leads on TB1-12 and TB1-13. Meter should read about 13 volts when collet open button is pressed. If the voltage is about 11 volts, go back to auxiliary power supply install instructions and correct the issue.
1CR on Connect Card
M08 on Spindle Panel
To verify, write a program with eight M13’s then one G04F2 then M30. Run this program in cycle repeat with the spindle cabinet open.
Put meter leads across TB1-12 and TB1-13; meter should read 11.5 volts for two seconds, then zero volts for two seconds as program cycles. If the voltage is 10 volts or less, the driver on the motion card (MC2) is the culprit. Replace U17 (ULN2803; available at DigiKey.com).
U17 on MC2 card
