Question for those using CNC Depot Spindles (RM30/40/70)

When and How do you all have the spindle case pressure setup. Do you always use it? What PSI and flow rate? I have 3 solenoids in my system, One for the ATC, one for Air Purge (Case Pressure and tool setter cleaning). One for Air blast if I’m doing something like aluminum.

The one I have for the case pressure / tool setter cleaning has a flow rate valve on it, and I currently just use it for the tool setter cleaning. Machine hasn’t been used that much yet, just to plain down the spoil board, a few ply wood and hardwood jobs. None of these used the case pressure.

At issue, is the size of the compressor at the moment. and I wonder how important it is for the spindle.

I asked Alex Burt (CNCDepot) about this. There is no blast of air coming out of the spindle during a tool change (what I had expected). You get clamping/unclamping, but case pressurization is just that and nothing more. So, I don’t think you need to plan for extra air during a tool change.
From Alex Burt:
Scott,
While we have the option, by default, there is no taper blast on the spindle. The air consumption of a taper blast function is considerable, and so it is not the standard configuration of the spindle. So based on your description, your spindle is acting normally.

Wasn’t really a question of it acting normally, just when and when not to use case pressure… Further, If I would benefit from moving the tool setter cleaning to it’s own solenoid since I’m sharing that with case pressure. I’m guessing once I have the big air compressor hooked up, I’ll probably just continually run it…

From what I have heard that the case pressure hose at the top of the spindle terminates just under the 3d printed fan cover, there is no pressure built up in the spindle housing and really not necessary from what I was told by someone in the know I can’t recall who, cause I was getting a lot of help from different folks right after EX/servo upgrade.

Hi Connor,
Mach 4 or Centroid? I have diagrams and suggestions for both regarding all those things. I was told that case pressurization is for keeping the spindle bearings clean.

I don’t have a video for Centroid yet, but I will at some point. I do have directions:

https://www.corbinstreehouse.com/blog/centroid-acorn-atc-hardware-setup-for-the-avid-cnc-ex-controller/

Corbin

I was told that it was to keep the spindle bearings clean – probably not always necessary, but it will definitely make them last longer!

Corbin

I’m using neither. I build my own control with LinuxCNC. I plan to post a build post soon. I’ve been tweaking it for around a year now. It’s for a Maker Space. I’m about to start teaching classes on how to use it. If as someone said, the case pressure simply ports into the same area that the fan motor does, then, I’m not sure what good it does. the existing fan is pretty high velocity as is. I may just take the fan off and look.

My setup:
Solenoid 1: Drawbar
Solenoid 2: Case Pressure / Tool Setter nozzle (It has a air pipe that cleans the top of the tool setter)
Solenoid 3: Air Blast Nozzle

Air Blast nozzle isn’t really being used much right now, and that was done for aluminum work. I have one more slot on my manifold for another Solenoid and plenty of I/O. When I designed the enclosure, I didn’t know that the tool setter was going to have a air pipe. My only issue is, I have 5 push-to-connect bulk heads in my case for the air. 1 For the In, 1 For exhaust, and 1 each for the solenoids. If I add a 4th, I’ll have to use the exhaust and let the air exhaust inside the enclosure.

The point of the case pressure air is to keep contaminants out of the spindle’s bearings and such. It has nothing to do with cleaning the tapers. My CNC is also a custom linuxcnc build with an S30C, and I have a signal that enables case air whenever the machine is out of estop. On some commercial machines, the spindle is pressurized ALWAYS because there might be dust in the air from other machines in the area.

IMHO if your spindle has a case air connection, you should use it, or expect a shorter life out of your spindle. Your choice but choices have consequences.

Separately, an air blast for the taper is a good idea and I want one on my machine, but I’m out of air ports and the one part blower is normally set too low to be useful.

Cool - my Tormach has a flavor of Linux CNC and it is quite nice!

Just for reference, a lot of other spindles, such as my HITECO QD-1F, all say you are supposed to use Case Pressurization in addition to the fan. They’ve been making spindles for quite a while, so I figure there is a good reason they do it.

Corbin