Automatic Tool Turret (Haas ST-15Y)

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An automatic tool changer for a CNC lathe. There are several tools mounted, including a short stubby spot drill and a threading tool in a VDI-40 tool holder. The surface is shiny metal, and there are red plastic caps covering VDI-40 sockets which are not in use.
Automatic Tool Turret of the Haas ST-15Y CNC lathe.

Our machine has a 12-station hybrid turret with 6 Bolt-On-Tool (BOT) positions and 6 VDI-40 positions. The VDI positions in the image above are the ones with the red protective plastic caps and can be loaded with either static turning tools, drills/boring tools, or live tools like endmills and drills.

Safety

  • Only operate the tool turret when there is sufficient clearance. Be sure a moving tool will not collide with the chuck, workpiece or other part of the machine.
  • You must not operate the turret while the tool-probe arm is extended. Retract the tool probe arm before operating the turret to prevent accidental collisions.

Selecting a tool

To manually rotate the tool turret the machine must be in MDI (Manual Data Input) mode and the door must be closed.

  1. Close the door.
  2. Ensure the machine is in a safe position to perform a tool change.
  3. Enter MDI mode by pressing the MDI button.
  4. Type the tool number, such as T6
  5. Press the TURRET FWD or TURRET REV button.

FWD vs REV

Unlike the CNC mill there is a difference between the functionality FWD and REV buttons:

  • FWD will rotate the turret clockwise to the requested position when looking from the chuck,
  • REV will rotate it anticlockwise to the requested position.

Performing a position change with the wrong button could rotate the turret all the way around even if it's the next turret pocket.