TECHNICAL DOCUMENT Version 0420A

OWNER'S GUIDE
MICROARC 4

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1.1.2 Install the A-Axis Motor Driver

1.1 INSTALL THE PCNC 440 A-AXIS DRIVER KIT
Complete the following steps in the order listed:
WARNING! Electrical Shock Hazard: You must power off
1.1.1 Set Driver DIP Switches 2 the machine before making any electrical connections. If
1.1.2 Install the A-Axis Motor Driver 2 you don't, there's a risk of electrocution or shock.
1.1.3 Configure PathPilot 5
1. Power off the machine and the PathPilot controller.
IMPORTANT! Even if you've already installed a 4th axis a. Push in the Emergency Stop button on the operator box,
driver in your machine, you must set the DIP switches as which removes power to motion control.
detailed in "Set Driver DIP Switches" (below).
b. From the PathPilot interface, select Exit.
c. Turn the Main Disconnect switch to OFF on the side of the
1.1.1 Set Driver DIP Switches electrical cabinet.
Setting the DIP switches on the stepper motor driver varies by 2. Verify that you've correctly set the DIP switches on your
machine. Use the following tables to correctly set the DIP switches. stepper driver as detailed in "Set Driver DIP Switches"
If you're installing in a PCNC 440: (above).
Dip Switch Position 3. Remove the electronics enclosure panel and the Z column
cover on the rear of your machine.
1 Off
4. Thread the two spade terminals on wires 200 and 201 through
2 Off
the Z column and connect them to V- (200) and V+ (201).
3 On
Note: If you already have a SmartCool™ or an ATC
4 On
installed, the 4th axis shares those terminals.
5 On

6 On

7 On

8 Off
If you're installing in an 1100/770:
Dip Switch Position

1 On

2 On

3 Off

4 On

5 On

6 On

7 On

8 Off

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Specifications subject to change without notice. TD10749: Owner's Guide: 100mm 4th Axis (0420A)
TECHNICAL DOCUMENT

5. Remove the square knockout panel on the side of the cabinet

and install the circular connector.
You will need to disconnect wires 320 through 323 from the
green terminal block to feed them in from the outside.

6. Reconnect the four wires (320 - 323) that you fed through the
knockout to the 4th axis terminal block in the order shown in 8. Connect the wire labeled 331 alongside the existing wire on

the following image. the + output side of the 24V power supply.
9. Connect the wire labeled 330 alongside the existing wire
labeled 330 on the - output side of the power supply.

7. Using a flat blade screwdriver, unclip the 24V power supply

from the DIN rail and tilt it out of the cabinet.

10. Gently tug on each of the power supply wires to verify that
they're firmly seated in the terminals. Then, clip the power
supply back to the DIN rail.

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Specifications subject to change without notice. TD10749: Owner's Guide: 100mm 4th Axis (0420A)
TECHNICAL DOCUMENT

11. Remove the empty green connector from OUT3 and OUT4 on
the machine control board. You'll replace it with the one
supplied on your 4th axis wiring harness.

14. Plug the remaining two 6-pin connectors into the 4th axis
stepper driver.

12. Wires 343, 330, 342, and 330 are already preinstalled in a
replacement connector, corresponding to positions 3+, 3-, 4+,
and 4- on the machine control board.

13. Install the connector on the machine control board.

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Specifications subject to change without notice. TD10749: Owner's Guide: 100mm 4th Axis (0420A)
TECHNICAL DOCUMENT

15. Drill and tap two M4 holes with a 112 mm spacing on the
back panel of the electrical cabinet to mount the stepper
driver.

16. Tuck all wires into wire troughs and reinstall the rear panels
on the machine.

1.1.3 Configure PathPilot

You must verify that the PathPilot controller is updated to the latest
version of PathPilot. This is because only PathPilot v2.4.3 and later
has settings required to use a microARC 4 configuration. For
information, see the PathPilot support center.
To configure PathPilot:
On the Settings tab, from the 4th Axis drop-down, select the
size of the 4th axis that you have installed in your machine.

Note: Once you change the axis scale, you may see a
message indicating a Joint 3 following error. If you
do, select Reset, and the new axis will function as
normal.

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Specifications subject to change without notice. TD10749: Owner's Guide: 100mm 4th Axis (0420A)
TECHNICAL DOCUMENT

2.1 SET UP THE MICROARC 4

Complete the following steps in the order listed:

2.1.1 Required Tools 6

2.1.2 Install in Machine 6
2.1.3 Center the Chuck Mounting Plate 7

2.1.1 Required Tools

This procedure requires the following tools. Collect them before you
begin.
l 3 mm hex wrench
l Dead-blow hammer (or similar)
l Magnetic dial indicator
c. Right Side (Using 6" Through-Bolts into T-Slots) X
2.1.2 Install in Machine work envelope is reduced in this configuration, but it
provides clearance for long tooling in the ATC.
1. Put the microARC 4 on the machine table. There are several
mounting configurations available, depending on the
particular needs of a given project:
a. Left Side (Using Accessory Mounting Holes) This
configuration provides the maximum available X work
space on a PCNC 440. If used with an ATC, the available
tool clearance is 10 cm from TTS flange to tool tip with the
4th axis carrying handle removed.

2. Feed the motor cable under the electrical cabinet and plug it
into the 7-pin connector you installed with the driver kit.
3. Loosely install the 5/16" mounting bolts, using either the
threaded accessory mounting holes on your machine table or
T-nuts.
b. Right Side (Using Accessory Mounting Holes) Using 4. Use the key on the bottom of the 4th axis to perform a rough
the 4th axis on the far right side of the PCNC 440 will alignment of the unit to the T-slots in your machine's table. If
provide the most X work envelope, but interferes with the you need to perform a precise alignment, put a straight test
right side enclosure window, if installed. bar into the chuck and sweep along it in X with an indicator.
Adjust the orientation of the 4th axis until the reading does
not deviate during the sweep.
5. Tighten the mounting hardware with a hex wrench.

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Specifications subject to change without notice. TD10749: Owner's Guide: 100mm 4th Axis (0420A)
TECHNICAL DOCUMENT

2.1.3 Center the Chuck Mounting Plate

1. Remove the chuck from the 4th axis, if installed.
2. From the PathPilot interface, verify that you can rotate the 4th
axis with either the jog keys on the keyboard or the jog
shuttle.
3. The mounting plate is designed for a loose fit onto the output
of the harmonic drive. This allows you to adjust the center of
rotation to control runout at the chuck.

6. Using PathPilot, jog the 4th axis 360 degrees, noting the spot
where the indicator is highest.
7. Using the dead-blow hammer, gently tap the highest
indicated spot towards the center and repeat the 360 degree
sweep. Continue adjusting the high spot towards the center of
rotation and sweeping until you reach your desired runout.
4. Slightly loosen the 16 M3 button head cap screws that hold
8. Tighten the 16 M3 mounting screws by hand to 1.1 Nm.
the chuck mounting plate to the output of the harmonic drive.
9. Reinstall the chuck or ER-40 collet holder.
They should still be snug enough that the mounting plate is
held in place by friction but can be nudged with a dead-blow 2.2 MAINTENANCE
hammer. The microARC 4 is designed to require little to no regular
maintenance. The harmonic drive used in the 4th axis is a high-
quality sealed unit that you don't need to open and grease. If you do
open your unit for any reason, replace any lost grease with Sumiplex
MP No. 2. Full grease capacity for the harmonic drive is
approximately 16 grams.

2.2.1 After the First Use

l Examine the electrical connectors that you installed with
"Install the A-Axis Motor Driver" (page 2) Make sure that all
screw terminals are still snug and the green terminal
connectors are seated firmly.

2.2.2 After Each Use

5. Put a the tip of a dial test indicator on the mounting flange for
the chuck. l Wipe down the outer diameter of the chuck and clean any
chips that may have accumulated below the chuck.
l Examine the main output seal on the front of the unit behind
the chuck adapter. Confirm that no chips are caught in the
seal to avoid wear and premature failure.

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Specifications subject to change without notice. TD10749: Owner's Guide: 100mm 4th Axis (0420A)
TECHNICAL DOCUMENT

2.2.3 Once a Month

l Remove the 4th axis from the machine table and look for
corrosion underneath. If necessary, stone the machine table
surface until it's smooth and apply a layer of corrosion-
inhibiting spray (like as Boeshield T-9).

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©Tormach® 2020 tormach.com
Specifications subject to change without notice. TD10749: Owner's Guide: 100mm 4th Axis (0420A)