Tool Turret alignment

MT- HT- und E- line

After a crash it may happen that the tool turret shifts physically. Therefore it is necessary to
align the geometry of the tool turret. We differentiate the tool turrets according their tool
holder disk into Axial Tool Turret (Picture 1) and Radial Tool Turret (Picture 2).

Picture 1 ( E-line machines)

Picture 2 ( MAXXturn and HT machines)

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The name is given by the way the tools are mounted in the disk. In both cases it is helpful to
use the proper alignment mandrel for the alignment procedure.

Mandrel for the Axial Tool Turret

Mandrel for the Radial Tool Turret

The tool turret is mounted to the X-axis slide by using a pivot point in form of a dowel pin.
This dowel pin can be found on the right top corner of the tool turret (at tool turrets in the
bottom system, like at Hyperturns the pin can be found on the right bottom.
(The pin is always diagonal of the active tool on the turret body)

Dowel Pin

Dowel Pin
First the mandrel is mounted in the tool turret. It is important to watch out that the surface
between mandrel and tool turret disk is clean. Chips or dirt can cause a wrong measuring
result. An indicator is needed which gets mounted on a solid component of the machine such
as the tailstock or a second tool turret.
Never mount the indicator onto a sheet metal since that will change the
measuring result during axis movements.
The following measurements are necessary.
1.) Parallelism to the Z-Axis Movement (tool turret has shifted)
2.) Parallelism to the X-Axis Movement (tool turret disk has shifted)
3.) Checking the reference point value (Alignment to spindle center line)

1.) Parallelism to Z-Axis Movement:

a.) Axial-Tool Turret:
The indicator is placed onto the mandrel and the Z-axis is moved along the whole distance of
the mandrel. Read the deviation from the indicator and if necessary correct (see correcting the
deviation).

Attention : Place the indicator on the testmandrel in a way

that you measure the deviation in X- axis.
(In the same plane like the X-axis is moving)

Allowed tolerances can be taken from the geometry protocol !

b.) Radial-Tool Turret:

The indicator is placed onto the mandrels side (see picture) and the X-axis is moved along the
whole distance of the mandrel. Read the deviation from the indicator and if necessary correct
(see correcting the deviation).

Attention : Place the indicator on the testmandrel in a way

that you measure the deviation in Z- axis.
(In the same plane like the Z-axis is moving)

Allowed tolerances can be taken from the geometry protocol !

Correcting the deviation:

To get the tool turret parallel to the Z-axis movement the mounting bolts of the tool turret
must be loosened but kept snug a little bit to avoid larger deviations.

Mounting Bolts bottom

Mounting bolts top

Afterwards tap the turret with a plastic or rubber hammer around the pivot point into position.
Frequently check the result by moving the axis . Repeat until the measuring result shows the
turret alignment within in the tolerance. The manufacturers measuring protocol shows the
tolerance for this adjustment. In the end tighten the mounting bolts
with the according torque 70 Nm and check the alignment result one more time since
tightening the bolts could change the alignment again.

2.) Parallelism to X-Axis Movement:

a.) Axial-Tool Turret:
The tool turret disk is checked with a centricator or indicator mounted in the spindle. It is
important that the measuring points 1 and 2 are exactly in the plain 90 degrees to the X-axis
(see picture). The other measuring points 3 and 4 must be parallel to the X-axis.

Measuring point 1
Measuring
point 3

Measuring point 4
Measuring point 2

Move the X-axis to X0 and measure on all four measuring points. There should not be any
deviation.
Allowed tolerances can be taken from the geometry protocol !

Attention : Please take note that this measurement is only precise

if you use a centricator as instrument.
Turning around an indicator on a magnet holder creates
errors up to 0,1 mm.

If there is a deviation the disk can be moved into the proper position.
Loosen the mounting bolts for the tool turret disk and tap the disk with a plastic or rubber
hammer into the proper position.

Mounting bolts

At the same time correct the X-axis position in Increment-Mode. That is done until the
measuring result is within the tolerance.
The manufacturers measuring protocol shows the tolerance for this adjustment.
In the end tighten the mounting bolts with the according torque 40Nm and check the
alignment result one more time since tightening the bolts could change the alignment again.

b.) Radial-Tool Turret:

The indicator is placed onto the mandrel parallel to the X-axis (see picture). Move the X-axis
along the whole distance of the mandrel. Read the deviation from the indicator and if
necessary correct.

Take the cover disk off and loosen the mounting bolts behind.
Note the positon of the disc cover since it is carrying the tool position
number. (important for remounting)

Cover disk

Mounting bolts

Loosen the mounting bolts for the tool turret disk to a light tension.
The mechanic of the drive coupling is blocking the access to 3 mounting
screws. It is necessary to swivel the turret backward 3 positions to have access
to this screws. After loosening the screws you swivel back to the previous
position.
Now tap the disk with a plastic or rubber hammer into the proper position.

The manufacturers measuring protocol shows the tolerance for this adjustment.
In the end tighten the mounting bolts with the according torque 40 Nm and check the
alignment result one more time since tightening the bolts could change the alignment again.

Because of the radius on the mandrel the measurement 1 Parallelism to the Z-axis
should be checked again and corrected if necessary.

Since the mandrel is already mounted it makes sense to check the also the
reference point setting now.

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