CNC turning lathe, Swiss type lathe original manufacturer since 2007.
How to change the z-axis travel of CNC lathes with inclined beds?
How to Change the Z-Axis Travel of CNC Lathes with Inclined Beds?
CNC lathes with inclined beds are advanced machines that offer precise and efficient turning operations. However, there may be instances when you need to adjust the z-axis travel of these lathes to meet specific production requirements. Whether you need to increase or decrease the z-axis travel, it's essential to understand the steps involved in making these adjustments to ensure optimal performance. In this article, we will explore the process of changing the z-axis travel of CNC lathes with inclined beds, providing you with the knowledge and confidence to make the necessary modifications.
Understanding the Z-Axis Travel
The z-axis travel of a CNC lathe refers to the vertical movement of the cutting tool in relation to the workpiece. In the case of lathes with inclined beds, the z-axis travel is particularly important as it can impact the accuracy and quality of the turned parts. When the z-axis travel is not properly adjusted, it can result in machining errors, dimensional inaccuracies, and surface finish issues. Therefore, being able to effectively change the z-axis travel is crucial for maintaining the performance and precision of the machine.
To begin the process of changing the z-axis travel, you will need to access the machine's control system and make adjustments to the relevant parameters. It's important to note that the specific steps for changing the z-axis travel may vary depending on the make and model of the CNC lathe. Therefore, it's essential to refer to the machine's manual or consult with a qualified technician to ensure that you follow the correct procedures.
Adjusting the Z-Axis Travel
Before making any adjustments to the z-axis travel, it's crucial to perform a thorough inspection of the machine to identify any potential issues that may be affecting the vertical movement of the cutting tool. This includes checking for any signs of wear or damage on the z-axis components, such as the ball screws, linear guides, and servo motors. Additionally, it's important to verify that the machine is properly leveled and aligned to ensure that the z-axis travel operates smoothly and accurately.
Once the machine has been inspected and any necessary maintenance or repairs have been completed, you can proceed with adjusting the z-axis travel. This typically involves accessing the machine's control system and locating the parameters that govern the z-axis movement. Depending on the control system, you may need to navigate through a series of menus or input specific commands to access the z-axis parameters.
When adjusting the z-axis travel, you will typically have the option to input specific values to either increase or decrease the vertical movement of the cutting tool. It's important to make incremental adjustments and test the z-axis travel after each change to ensure that the desired results are achieved. Additionally, it's recommended to keep a record of the original z-axis parameters before making any adjustments, as this will allow you to revert to the initial settings if needed.
Testing and Verification
After making the necessary adjustments to the z-axis travel, it's crucial to perform thorough testing and verification to ensure that the changes have been implemented correctly. This involves running test cuts and measuring the dimensional accuracy and surface finish of the turned parts to confirm that the z-axis travel is operating within the specified parameters. Additionally, it's important to monitor the machine for any signs of abnormal behavior, such as excessive vibration or noise, which may indicate that further adjustments are required.
During the testing and verification process, it's also important to involve the machine operators and production personnel to gather feedback on the performance of the CNC lathe with the adjusted z-axis travel. Their input can provide valuable insights into any potential issues or improvements that may need to be addressed. Additionally, it's recommended to document the testing and verification process, including any observations and test results, as this information can be valuable for future reference.
Optimizing Performance
Once the z-axis travel has been adjusted and verified, it's important to focus on optimizing the performance of the CNC lathe with the new parameters. This may involve fine-tuning the cutting parameters, such as spindle speed, feed rate, and depth of cut, to ensure that the machine operates at its optimal capacity. Additionally, it's important to provide training and support to the machine operators and production personnel to ensure that they are familiar with the changes and can effectively utilize the machine for their specific applications.
In addition to optimizing the performance of the CNC lathe, it's important to establish a regular maintenance and monitoring schedule to ensure that the z-axis travel and other key components of the machine remain in optimal condition. This includes performing routine inspections, lubrication, and alignment checks to prevent potential issues and maintain the accuracy and reliability of the machine. By implementing a comprehensive maintenance program, you can prolong the service life of the CNC lathe and minimize the risk of costly downtime due to unexpected failures.
Conclusion
In conclusion, changing the z-axis travel of CNC lathes with inclined beds is a critical process that can impact the accuracy and quality of turned parts. By understanding the steps involved in adjusting the z-axis travel and following the correct procedures, you can ensure that the machine operates at its optimal capacity. Additionally, performing thorough testing, verification, and optimization will allow you to maximize the performance and reliability of the CNC lathe with the adjusted z-axis travel. With this knowledge and guidance, you can approach the process of changing the z-axis travel with confidence and achieve the desired results for your specific production requirements.
Using our JSWAY to differentiate our content, services and consumer products, we seek to develop the most creative, innovative and profitable entertainment experiences and related products in the world.
If you are looking for an excellent service in the UK then you can go to Guangdong JSWAY CNC Machine Tool Co., Ltd. . They have almost everything what you might require for your mill axis.
The lower cost of cnc service, compared to other product, and Guangdong JSWAY CNC Machine Tool Co., Ltd. ’s services provide may well suit the needs for customers.
Daily “Clean + Lubricate” as the Baseline
After each shift, remove chips and coolant residue from the fixture surface and collet jaws with a soft cloth or air gun to prevent corrosion and re-clamping errors. Every eight hours, apply a trace of rust preventive oil to spring collets, guide bushings and other moving parts; once a week, add a thin coat of grease to ball-screw nuts and hydraulic cylinder rods to reduce wear. Before any prolonged shutdown, spray anti-rust oil on internal bores and locating faces and wrap them in wax paper or plastic film.
Precision Calibration & Data Closure
Use ring gauges or master bars every month to verify repeatability of the fixture; log results in the MES. If deviation exceeds 0.005 mm, trigger compensation or repair. For quick-change systems (HSK/Capto), check taper contact percentage every six months—target ≥ 80 %. If lower, re-grind or replace.
Spare Parts & Training
Keep minimum stock of jaws, seals and springs to enable replacement within two hours. Hold quarterly on-machine training sessions for operators on correct clamping practices and anomaly recognition to eliminate abusive clamping.
In short, embedding “clean–lubricate–inspect–calibrate” into daily SOP keeps the fixture delivering micron-level accuracy, reduces downtime, and extends overall machine life.
Six preventive measures
Environment control: keep the workshop at a stable temperature and low humidity; exclude dust and corrosive gases to reduce chemical wear on guideways and screws.
Daily checks: remove chips every shift and inspect the lubrication of the spindle, bearings, ball screws and guideways; act on any abnormality immediately.
Preventive lubrication: replace lubricants on schedule and keep the lubrication system unobstructed to minimize fatigue wear.
Accuracy monitoring: use laser interferometers or ball-bar systems monthly to measure geometric errors and compensate for ball-screw backlash or guideway straightness in time.
Electrical health checks: periodically examine cables, relays and cooling fans to prevent hidden aging caused by overheating.
Data monitoring: onboard sensors record spindle current, vibration and temperature; cloud-based analytics predict early bearing or tool failures.
Why prevention matters
• Ensures machining consistency: eliminating micron-level error sources keeps batch dimensions stable and reduces scrap.
• Extends machine life: preventing micro-cracks from growing can prolong overall life by more than 20 %.
• Reduces unplanned downtime: planned maintenance replaces emergency repairs, increasing overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) by 10 % or more.
• Cuts total cost: lower spare-parts inventory, labor and lost-production costs can save tens of thousands of dollars per machine annually.
• Enhances brand reputation: consistent on-time, defect-free deliveries strengthen customer trust and secure future orders.
Optimizing cycle time on turn-mill machining centers is crucial for boosting productivity and reducing costs. It requires a systematic approach addressing machine tools, cutting tools, processes, programming, fixtures, and material flow.
Ensure Geometric Accuracy
Swiss-type lathes process long, slender workpieces with multi-axis synchronization. A bed inclination of only 0.02 mm/m creates a “slope error” along the Z-axis, tilting the tool relative to the part centerline. This results in taper on outer diameters and asymmetric thread profiles. Periodic re-verification and re-leveling restore overall geometric accuracy to factory standards, guaranteeing consistent dimensions during extended production runs.
Extend Guideway and Ball-Screw Life
When the machine is not level, guideways carry uneven loads and lubricant films become discontinuous, accelerating localized wear and causing stick-slip or vibration. After re-leveling with shims or wedges, load distribution evens out, reducing guideway scoring and ball-screw side-loading. Service life typically improves by more than 20 %.
Suppress Thermal Growth and Vibration
A tilted bed leads to asymmetric coolant and lubricant flow, generating thermal gradients. Subsequent expansion further amplifies geometric errors. Re-verifying level, combined with thermal compensation, produces a more uniform temperature rise and reduces scrap caused by thermal drift. Additionally, a level bed raises natural frequencies, cutting chatter amplitude and improving surface finish by half to one full grade.
Chinese-built Swiss-type lathes have moved beyond the “low-cost substitute” label to become the “value leader” for overseas users. On the cost side, machines of comparable specification are priced well below those of traditional leading brands, and ongoing maintenance costs amount to only a fraction, dramatically lowering the entry barrier for small-to-medium job shops in Europe and North America. Lead time is equally compelling: major domestic OEMs can ship standard models within weeks, and special configurations follow shortly thereafter. When urgent orders arise from the electric-vehicle or medical-device sectors, Chinese production lines consistently deliver rapid responses.
Intelligence is on par with top-tier global standards. Machines routinely feature thermal compensation, AI-based tool-life prediction, and cloud-enabled remote diagnostics. Mean time between failures is long, and fully open data interfaces simplify secondary development for end users. Complementing this is a worldwide service network: Chinese manufacturers maintain parts depots and resident field engineers across the Americas, Europe, and Southeast Asia, enabling on-site support often within a single day, whereas legacy brands usually require factory returns measured in weeks.
1. Quick Troubleshooting Steps
Check the clamping pressure: Ensure the pressure plate or collet applies even force; too much or too little pressure will jam the bar. Adjust the pneumatic or hydraulic release mechanism accordingly.
Align the material path: Verify that the bar feeder, guide bushing, and spindle centers are collinear; any offset will cause the bar to twist or wedge.
Inspect belts and rollers: Belts must be tensioned correctly—loose belts slip, over-tight belts bind. Replace worn rollers immediately.
Lubricate moving parts: Clean and grease the eccentric shaft, release cam, and pusher fingers; lack of lubrication is a common cause of seizure.
I. Installation Guidelines for Swiss-Type Lathe Bed
1. Foundation Preparation
Floor Requirements: The Swiss lathe bed must be installed on a solid, level concrete foundation to prevent machining inaccuracies caused by ground settlement or vibration.
Load Capacity: The foundation must support the machine’s weight and dynamic cutting forces to avoid deformation affecting spindle and guide bushing alignment.
Vibration Isolation: If the workshop has vibration sources (e.g., punch presses, forging machines), anti-vibration pads or isolation trenches are recommended to enhance CNC machine stability.
Summary
Ball screws are the physical enablers of Swiss-type lathes across five critical dimensions:
Micron-level positioning for complex micro-structures;
High-speed rigidity supporting synchronized multi-axis cutting;
Active thermal control ensuring batch consistency;
Ultra-wear-resistant design enabling maintenance-free operation for 10+ years.
Their performance defines the precision ceiling of Swiss-type machining – truly "invisible champions" in precision transmission.