Tormach PCNC 770 - Lubrication System; Manual Pump Specifics

Chapter 9
160
UM10350_PCNC770_Manual_0916A
Maintenance
9.1.4 Lubrication System
The lubricaon system distributes oil to 15 points throughout the mill. This includes the 12 sliding
surfaces (four each on the three axes) and three ball screw nuts – some of the most crical and
expensive mechanical parts of the mill. Any dirt or foreign material suspended in the oil is going to
be delivered directly to these parts and can dramacally shorten the operaonal service of the mill.
• Use only new, high quality ISO VG 68 grade Machine Oil.
PN Description
31386 Tormach WL-68
• Alternave choices include Perkins Perlube WL-68, Tonna 68 (Shell), Vactra No. 2 (Mobil),
Way-lube 68 (Sunoco), WayLube 68 (Texaco), Febis 68 (Esso) or equivalent oil.
• Be sure to clean o the cover and surrounding area to remove debris before relling the oil
reservoir. The strainer at the top of the reservoir is not a lter.
• Periodically inspect way surfaces and ball screws to conrm a proper oil lm is present.
Absence of an oil lm can be an indicator of clog oil lines or ngs.
The X, Y, and Z slideways have a thin layer of PTFE-lled acetyl plasc bonded to each sliding surface.
The material is commonly known under the trade names of Turcite® or Rulon®.
This is state of the art technology for oil lubricated slideways and superior to plain ground surfaces
or hardened and chromed surfaces. No data is available on how long the material will last on the
PCNC, but there have been no reports of appreciable wear, even on mills that are reported to have
seen more than 5000 hours of operaon. If you use the lubricaon system and keep the protecve
bellows in good shape, the slideways are not normally maintenance items.
A shot of lubricaon should be given aer every four hours of operaon and aer the mill has stood
unused for 48 hours or longer.
If the mill’s lubricaon system becomes clogged, brass oil system ngs can be cleaned by soaking
them overnight in a degreaser or solvent like WD-40. Replace clogged plasc oil line tubing.
9.1.4.1 Manual Pump Specifics
• The manual pump is spring loaded. Retract and release the plunger and the spring force
creates light hydraulic pressure to push oil through the lines. You can get the oil out quicker
by pushing the plunger a bit, but too much force can pop o oil lines. A shot of lubricaon
should be given aer every four hours of operaon and each me the mill is powered on.
• You will have a more uniform distribuon of oil if the mill is moving when the hydraulic
pressure is applied.
• The manual pump draws oil from the reservoir on the pull stroke and delivers it to the mill
on the push stroke. If at some point the oil pump seems much easier on the push stroke then
make certain that you do not have a broken oil line.