Page 60 - EDM Today Spring 2025

EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine Q: We have your 433W EDM Max fast wire with the X8 control. Is there a way to
Q
OEM
A
A
A
A
A
&
adjust the offsets without redrawing the feature in the CAD?
A: Yes, there are a few steps. Please see the fi gures below as we walk through the
necessary steps.
picking up light refl ection and setting off the fi re sensor.
There is a sensitivity adjustment for this on the I/O
board, which is located on the rear door of the generator
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine Figure 2 – Make changes here;
- see Figure 1. There is a small red LED visible slightly
left and below center of the photo. This LED will illumi-
Q: I’m having an issue with my MX-236 ZNC EDM
nate when the CDS alarm is triggered.
Sinker. We have been running the same job for some
time now, and suddenly the cycle time has increased
to several times longer. We run the same parts, elec-
trodes, and oil. Can you help troubleshoot this?
Figure 1 – Go to CAD side (F9),
A: The fi rst thing we need to do is check that you have
click GEN Processing, and click
the correct open circuit voltage. We defi ne this as the
voltage that you see when cutting power is on, but the
electrode is not in contact with the workpiece or cutting.
“Mo Compensation” in the upper
It should be 100 volts, unless you are using HV. If you
left corner.
changes and click “ACCEPT,” a
are using HV 1, it should be 200 volts. If you are using EDIT Figure Param. for offset adjustments, go to the Figure 3 – After you made your
“Success” box will pop up, click OK.
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine
the AUX HV, it should be 300 volts.
Assuming that the open circuit voltage check is correct,
statistically, the most likely cause of extended cycle
time (slow cutting) is power lead related. Before calling
for service, there are some basic things that you can
Figure 1
check to try and resolve the problem yourself.
1. Check the power lead connection to the electrode.
Often, a loose connection or corrosion at the connection
point will result in extended cycle times.
2. Check the workpiece power lead connection at the
table base. Be sure the connection is tight and there are Figure 6 – Send the program to
no indications of corrosion.
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine Figure 5 – The feature should have “Process,” then “Send Pass.”
the cutting window by clicking on
3. If you are using the Adaptive Logic option, check
the sense leads at the Z platen. If they are damaged or
Figure 4 – Select the feature by
disconnected, the result will be long cycle times with low
dash lines once selected.
dragging a mouse box over all of it,
current.
as usual.
If these simple steps don’t resolve your issue, please
call Belmont Equipment and Technologies and ask for
Machine Tool technical assistance.
Figure 2
Q: We have a MX-246 ZNC EDM Sinker that has re-
cently developed a problem. We run a production job on Figure 2 shows a close-up view of the LED. Next to the
LED is a small potentiometer that adjusts the sensitiv-
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine Figure 8 – On the cutting screen you can verify that the new offset is present
this machine, and have just performed our annual main-
ity of the CDS alarm. The trim pot can be adjusted to
tenance. This includes removing the fi xture for cleaning
reduce the sensitivity by rotating it counterclockwise
and inspection, as well as cleaning the work tank and
(CCW). The suggested adjustment is to rotate the trim
table. We also installed a new bulb in the work light, as
pot CCW until the ambient light no longer triggers the
that hasn’t worked for some time. After we reassem-
CDS system.
bled everything and tried to run the machine, we get a
Should you require additional support, call Belmont
CDS alarm.
Equipment and Technologies and ask for Machine Tool
Figure 7 – Click “Accept.”
Can you tell me what this alarm is and how to eliminate
technical assistance.
by opening the simulation dialog box and single segment the program for
it?
A: The CDS alarm is the fi re sensor. This is the silver
fl ex tube that extends into the work tank. These are Jeff Beyar | Machine Tool Service Manager Alan Barbick DRO distance comparing to the previous offsets.
photovoltaic devices that sense light to detect the pres- jeffb@belmont4edm.com | 800-356-4811 Applications Manager (Continued on next page)
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today, Spring 2025 Issue EDM Today, Spring 2025 Issue 59
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ence of a fi re. It is possible that with the work light now
functional and the fi xture, tank, and table clean, you are
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