Hey,

Looking for some advice on the matter.
I have a Multicam MT510. Beast of a machine, been restoring it to a functional state. Just after my first cut. This started to happen.

The chuck gets stuck in open. Tool changer brings the holder it does the moves but since the chuck never closes the tool just falls.

So I started with cleaning the selenoids, still kept going. Then I switch the selenoid no another same problem. I traced down the wires for the spindle and made sure they were all properly connected.
If I restart the machine I get maybe one good tool change and then it starts. So it’s intermittent.

Things I am considering the power supply for the 24vdc to the selenoid might get stuck stuck?

I’m not certain if the spindle has an internal sensor that tell the controller that the chuck is closed as that what the display shows, even tho that’s not the case. So maybe that sensor is broken.

The controller is broken and sends weird signals, this would be catastrophic as a replacement is about twice what I payed for the machine.

Any ideas would amazing.

Hire a Multicam technician

Not sure what brand of spindle you have, but they have sensors that tell the control if a tool has loaded and in correct position. Last time I changed a cartridge, I either had to adjust mine or replace them. Can't recall. You should probably call for help on this one. Perhaps someone can help you troubleshoot the issue.

JKL thank you, I considered it. But I’m in Miami Florida. They charge $150 an hour plus flight, plus hotel. As you can imagine that is my last last resort. And since the machine is old, they can’t even assure me that they know how to fix it, still have to pay tho.

Mike, awesome good to know there is a sensor. The spindle is a EUROSPINDLE 10 HP air cooled. I’m going to try tech support, but there is not much they have on this 20 year old machine. A big part of why I got it for so cheap is precisely that, multicam offer very limited support. Don’t get me wrong they’ve done everything they can, sent the manual and helped me with what info they have. But it’s just outdated tech and it’s hard for them to know.

Thank I’ll keep trying and keep you guys posted if I find a solution.

Do you have a wiring diagram? Make sure you understand the logic of what has to happen. You should be able to force it step by step to see where it fails. It may not be where you think.

The obvious thing to check is the sensor that says the clamp is engaged. These usually have lights on them. Film it and then replay the video super slow. We have found intermittent issues that way - the sensor flickering so fast you can't notice.

The second thing is to make sure that the clamp and tool holders are lubricated and that everything is lined up properly.

More likely the solenoid than the 24VDC power supply. Could also be air bleeding across the clamp cylinder.

Post a video.

BT taper or HSK? HSK a good chance it is dirty. This will keep the draw bar from returning to its correct position on the sensors.

BT cone should be clean and rust free, galling near the opening is common due to the RPMs in wood. pull stud wear is also a consideration.

Do not modify position of sensors to get it to run, they are factory set for a reason.

you could send the spindle to a reputable rebuild company also with a few of your tool holders for inspection.

My old HSD spindles had a manual release button right on the spindle. Does the Eurospindle have this? If so then see if working the button can give you any clues to the problem.

BH Davis

I don't know... I wouldn't say that Multicam is the best milling machine. I'm more of a Wattsan kind of guy. They're reliable, rugged, and have great speed. What makes the Multicam so good?

https://virmer.com/catalog/cnc-milling-machines/