If you have a parts catcher read this!

On all Mazak lathes I have used, if the parts catcher is extended manually and you put the machine into MEMORY and press CYCLE START. An alarm will come up not letting you run the machine untill the parts catcher is retracted.

This is the case for the new Matrix control on the Integrex and on Mark II Integrex's.

Beware If you have a Mark III (640MTPro control) You will destroy your parts catch if you start a program with the parts catcher extended. Yes, there will be an alarm but the machine WILL RUN! I have Mazak looking for a way to prevent this. For now I am putting a M-Code unit with M49 at the beginning of all my programs that use the parts catcher.

Wow, thanks for the heads up!

I looked at the PLC parameters but didn't see any that would stop the machine from crashing in to the parts catcher.

It took about four hours to repair everything after the crash.

There was a big dent and a hole in the side of the lower turret.

I didn't realize that you had hit it with the lower turret. What a mess. Looks like you got it welded back well. Hope it works for you.

I've never seen a setup like that. What are some of the advantages/disadvantages to having a P/C & lower turret?

Most of the time I don't even notice it is there since I rarely use it. I have been using it more lately with a spring loaded ejector on the sub spindle. I extend the parts catcher, move the lower turret under the parts catcher, Move the sub to the P.C. open the chuck the part lands in the P.C. Makes it an unmanned operation. It works as good as new after the repair.

Great! Thanks for the info. I didn't know that the lower turret would hide under the part catcher.

I will try to get a picture with the part catcher under it.

Service called and told me that there were no parameters to stop the parts catcher from crashing as describe above. All of the parameters and laddder information has gone to Kentucky so a Software claim has be started. When Mazak has a update to prevent this I will let you know.

mmmmmm, posted September 2007, I've got 640MT pro. Don't suppose Mazak have got back to you with an answer yet?

No and I am not surprised. We bought a Mill from Mazak for $600,000+ and G68 will not work on it. Kentucky could not figure it out and Japan has been working on it for a year now.

Definitly not a parameter issue. A simple edit of the PLC (ladder) should be a quick and easy fix. I'm at a loss as to why this would take so long. Why was the parts catcher left extended in the first place? Please advise. Thanks.

There was an M1 in the program after the part fell into the bucket to let the operator inspect the most recent part. The operator hit reset at the M1 leaving the parts catcher extended and then hit cycle start. I think the machine put up an alarm but it ran anyway.

Oh, that sucks. I still think a ladder edit, checking I/O status of retract switch in the cycle start rung, would be a simple fix. If you want, suggest to your local Mazak rep. And best of luck.