Need Help With Pm-25 X-axis Power Feed

[RegisG]

I did get a call back from Matt. Explained and sent him photos of parts and "fit". He's going to dig into it more and will let me know what he finds. He agrees that any hardware should have been included. I'll expect to hear back in few days and maybe he'll find a better connection.
I don't think they sell many of these, especially for our smaller machines.

Regis

 

[brav65]

brav65, would you have any idea by what Matt would mean by this having a "Clutch" instead of limit switch? Like I stated above when I asked Matt why it didn't have this safety feature his reply was it has a "Clutch"!!

No, my question to him was about a wiring schematic for the drive so that I could wire in my own limit switches.

 

[BobDBob]

Gents

I suspect the "clutch" is internal to the power feed unit's motor/gear drive assembly. Instead of limit switches to kill power to the motor, the clutch would allow the motor to "slip" and continue to run in case a hard limit is reached. Not necessarily the best methodology but should prevent blowing any internal fuse(s) or burning up the motor. Bob

 

[mksj]

A clutch prevents damage to the drive mechanism should it encounter a hard stop, often there is some form of friction mechanism. Limit switches would be helpful if you wanted to machine between two points or didn't have a clutch, but you then have the wires to deal with. You could add limit switches to break power to the motor, they should be wired so you can power in the reverse direction once you hit a limit stop. Documentation is always a weak point with a lot of these import products, I have heard this raised for a number of generic power feeds, but agree it should be better. I have all my mill axis drives and DRO powered by a local power strip/box that turns off when the mill is shut off. Alternatively use a power strip with a switch.

 

[T Bredehoft]

Would appreciate some help.

I see you've modified the X axis table clamps, as I have. I did the same on the Y clamps. I don't know how many time's I'd jam one of the original clamps in the ways, stopping Y travel.

 

[dlhoulton]

Yep, I got those X and Y table clamp/locks caught up a few times. Modified them for ease of use and safety. Also did the same to the column locks.

 

[roadie33]

You should have bought the Grizzly G0704 model X-Axis power feed.
From what I have seen it will fit the PM25 also.
It was easy to install and comes with limit switches and everything you need.

 

[wrmiller]

You should have bought the Grizzly G0704 model X-Axis power feed.
From what I have seen it will fit the PM25 also.
It was easy to install and comes with limit switches and everything you need.

I had an older PM25 and I put the Griz power feed on the table. Fit very well and the guy who now owns the machine says it works good. Didn't install the limit switches though as I don't need/want them. Looked pretty straight forward though from a install perspective.

 

[RegisG]

Well, to close this out, Matt sent me the answer. When the factory mounts them, they use a spacer like I did (little nicer one though).
I asked also about where to connect limit switches. Matt said that there is a clutch adjustment inside the case and to NOT adjust it to hold a lot, just to release with a little hand pressure on handle (opposite side).

Thanks for all the comments.
Regis

 

[dlhoulton]

As said before, sure would help to have some type of documentation or instructions. Clutch adjustment inside the case? Where, what does it look like, how would you adjust it? Can it be reset in the event that you need to? Guess we will have to call Matt up each and every time. I'm just learning and not that experienced with things like this.
RegisG, you did a great job of figuring out how to mount it. Are you going to try anything else or just stay with what you've done? Does it work well with the way you have it now?