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TB171 CNC Tech Bulletin CNC Machine Tool Lube Pump Operation and Configuration REV 2 10 17 19 km
Parameter 179 is used conο¬gured and control a variety of different machine tool lube pumps
The parameter value is formatted as MMMSS βMMMβ for minutes and βSSβ for seconds Below is a table of some
examples
Type of Lube Pump MMM SS Operation
Mechanical/CAM 0 0 179 = 0 Lube Pump Power is on when machine is running a job or in MDI
Direct Controlled Pump 30 15 179 = 3015 Waits for 30 min of job or MDI time then applies power to run the
lube pump for 15 seconds
Electronic
βLube Firstβ or βLube
Lastβ pumps 16 00 179 = 1600 Holds power on to the pump for 16 minutes starting with Cycle
Start to run a G code program or MDI Holds lube power on for 16 minutes
even if job has ended before timer is up Be sure to set on board pump timer
to 15 minutes
Rules
Maximum Value for MMM = 655 minutes Maximum Value for SS = 99 seconds
When SS seconds is set to zero this changes functionality of the Lube Power to Always ON for MMM number of
minutes specified
A parameter 179 value of 3015 = Every 30 minutes of accumulated G code Run Time the lubrication pump will be
activated for 15 seconds by applying power through a relay output found on the Centroid CNC controller The Centroid
CNC12 software βmachine running G codeβ cumulative timer is only activated when running a G code program or using
MDI mode This cumulative time is NOT counting the CNC control βon timeβ when just idling it only counts time the
machine is running a G code job or in MDI mode This value should be adjusted as necessary depending on your
particular machine as shown in the examples below
Mills that run long jobs >30 minutes with a lot of slow movements with a direct controlled pump = 3015
Lathes running short jobs with many fast movements with a direct controlled pump = 1010
Mills running many short jobs with a direct controlled pump =2015
Mechanical or Cam Operated Lube Pump Description
The Mechanical/Cam operated lube pump is based on a plunger riding on a clock driven cam The classic Mechanical
Bijur Lube pumps and copies of them operate this way When power is removed the mechanical properties of the pump
keep track of the accumulated operating time of the machine resulting in a very dependable lube operation
Set Parameter 179=0 default value Lube Pump relay is activated when running a G code program therefore
power is applied to the lube pump when a G code job is running or operating in MDI mode
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Direct controlled Pump ideal
Direct Controlled Pumps they have no built in timer they pump lube oil when powered When they have power they
pump lube oil So with these units it is up to CNC12 to keep track of the accumulated operational time of the machine
and then turn on the pump for a specified amount of time at the end of the accumulated run time This type of Lube
Pump setup also results in very dependable lube operation
Direct Controlled Pump
Example 1 Set P179 = 3015 and the Lube pump will pump oil to the machine for 15 seconds for every 30 minutes of
total accumulated machine run time as in running a g code job or in MDI mode not just the CNC controller being ON
Example 2 To set the lube pump power to come on for 5 seconds every 10 minutes of accumulated machine run time
set P179 = 1005
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Electronic Pumps
Problem Electronic timer pumps "forget" when the Lube pump relay power is off Therefore they begin a new timed
cycle at every time the lube relay power comes back on Running short jobs with a βLube Firstβ pump with typical
configuration settings for a Mechanical or Direct controlled pump will result in over lubricating and with a βLube Lastβ
pump no lubricating can occur While you could direct wire the Electronic Pump to the CNC control power to come on
when the CNC is on this could result in over lubrication when the machine sits idle Centroid solves this problem with
Parameter 179's hold power function By setting the minutes in P179 to a value larger than the than the pump on board
timer amount ensures that the machine will receive lube as Centroid holds the Lube Pump relay power ON from the first
Cycle Start for user specified minutes no matter if a job is running or not When SS seconds is set to zero this changes
functionality of the Lube relay power to always ON for XXX number of minutes specified
For example With the Lube Pump on board timer set to 15 minutes and P179=1600 The Lube Pump power relay is
activated and powers the Lube Pump with the first Cycle Start to run G code and then the power to the pump stays on
for 16 minutes even if the G code job ends before that time or if another G code job is started the power stays on while
the timer runs for the specified amount of time The Lube Pump Power ON relay timer will time out after 16 minutes or
with Estop After completion of the 16 minutes of ON time the Lube relay power ON to the pump timer will restart the
next time Cycle Start is used to start a G code job While the 16 minute ON timer is running it ignores any Cycle Start
events while the timer is running Estop cancels the timer Cycle Start to run a G code job starts it again
Electronic "Lube First" and βLube Lastβ Pumps
The "Lube First" style of pump lubricates at the beginning of each timed cycle An on board pump timer sets the time
between lube operations typically set to 15 to 30 minutes
Example The lube pump on board timer is set to 15 minutes Parameter 179 should be set to a minimum of 16 minutes
or 1600 to ensure proper lubrication
The βLube Lastβ style of pump lubricates at the end of each timed cycle An on board timer sets the time between lube
operations Uses same settings as a Lube First pump Example The lube pump on board timer is set to 15 to 30
minutes Parameter 179 should be set to a minimum of 16 minutes or 1600 to ensure proper lubrication
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Description from the PLC program comments related to Electronic Lube Pump Operation
"METHOD 1 SS == 0 For Electronic lube pumps with internal timers
When using this method P179 should be set such that MMM is a
value that is greater than the cycle time set on the internal timers and
SS should be set to zero How much greater MMM needs to be depends on the
accuracy of the lube pump timers but it is better to be on the long side
to ensure proper operation
Example 1 The internal lube cycle interval is set to 60 minutes
Set P179 = 7500 In this example as long as the accuracy
of the lube timer interval causes the lube to turn on
within 75 minutes it will work Note that the amount of time
that lube is output is usually set with another timer control
on the lube pump and it does not factor into the setting of P179
It should be noted that lube pumps with internal timers may differ on how
they operate
a For pumps that lube immediately when power is applied and then start timing
until the next cycle it is possible to run out of lube quickly on short job
runs if after the program has been run lube power is removed
b For pumps that do not lube until it has been turned on for the interval time
it is possible that lube never gets applied if after the short program has been run
lube power is removed and the electronic pump keeps resetting the timer/counter
A short program or job run is defined as a job that finishes before
the interval setting 60 minutes in the above example
For the above mentioned reasons we want the power to be applied for at least
the amount of time set by the interval timer whether the machine is running a job or not noting that if the user decides to
engage the E stop to remove power after short jobs then they risk the
above mentioned problems according to the type of pump and the Timer gets reset with each Estop "
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Notes
As always when walking away from a machine tool press Estop Do not leave the machine in MDI mode for very long
periods of time for example overnight or the weekend as the lube pump will be activated in such circumstances when
the machine hasnβt been moving resulting in over lubrication
Acorn users can set P179 using the Acorn CNC12 setup Wizard
Acorn users can also assign the Lube Pump relay output to any relay and the Lube pump low oil level switch to any
input using the Acorn setup Wizard
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Run the lube pump to oil the machine for the first time or check the pressure
The on board lube pump pressure gauge can be used to diagnose several different problems including leaks and
blockages by monitoring the max pressure time to build to max pressure and the time to bleed off to zero These values
should be recorded when a new machine is installed and checked on a weekly basis as part of normal routine
maintenance With a Direct Controlled Pump to measure the max pressure build time and bleed time Set parameter
179 to 0 0000 Then press MDI from the main menu As soon as MDI starts power will be applied to the lube pump and
the unit and it will begin to pump if it is a Direct Controlled pump or begin to run a timer either Mechanical or
Electronic Some units may have a button to force the pump to run these are typically seen on Electronic Units or other
units have a manual plunger to pump oil these are typically seen on Mechanical units Once max pressure has been
reached press to exit MDI and stop the pump Be sure to reset parameter 179 to its original value before using
machine Every machine will have its own set of unique values that should be compared to the original values at the
time of installation The values themselves can vary due to voltage lube line lengths restrictors and other factors so
monitoring these values over time is the only way to effectively diagnose and prevent problems that can lead to
significant wear and damage to the machine A reduced max pressure and/or reduced time to bleed off to zero indicate
possible leaks in the system A greater max pressure and/or shorter time to build to max pressure can be an indication of
blockages in the system
Lube Pump shot volume
Mechanical and Electronic lube pumps typically have some sort of lube shot volume adjustment Adjust the volume for
the shot to match the machine tool lubrication needs See the Lube Pump manual for instructions on how to adjust the
volume of oil for each lube shot
How to create a βmanual one shot lubeβ macro for a Direct Controlled Lube pump
In addition to automatic lube pump operation sometimes it is useful to have a βmanualβ method for the operator to
activate a Direct Controlled lube pump as often there no button on a direct controlled pump to activate the pump or it is
hard to get to since the pump may be located on the back of the machine etc so
Create an M code macro to turn on the Lube Pump output This M code can be used in MDI mode or mapped to a free
Aux key which will allow the operator to activate the lump pump βmanuallyβ by pressing a button
For Acorn users this macro is pre written in the comments of M55 to edit and activate simply edit the macro
βmfunc55 macβ and remove the semi column in front of the Lube Pump One shot commands Acorn M55 is pre mapped
to the Aux 8 key on the VCP Virtual Operators Control Panel so once the edit is complete the Aux 8 key acts as the
Lube Pump Manual one shot button for a direct controlled pump
Acorn M55 macro example
; Example Macro for a Manual Lube Pump Aux Key
; This Macro will activate the LubePump Logic in PLC and will keep pump on based on Parameter 179
; Example Parameter 179 = 1015 Then when this macro is activated the LubePump will have power ON for 15
seconds
; A β Lube pump Turn Offβ Macro M95 is not needed as the PLC resets the output in the logic when the ON timer is
finished
; Each time this m code is issued the βG code runningβ timer is reset so in our example P179=1015 After the pump has
run for 15 seconds the βG code runningβ timer begins again to count down 10 minutes before the next automatic lube
cycle
; This macro can be used during a G code program for example if the user wishes to pump some extra lube while the
job is running
; Uncomment the M94 Line Below to set Aux 8 VCP Aux key as a manual lube pump one shot button
; This will set "SV_M94_M95_8" in the PLC which a system variable used for lube pump operation that is pre coded in
the PLC
;M94 /8 ;M94 Requests to SET "ManualLubePump" in PLC
; End of Example
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Param??t??r 178 β PLC I/O configuration
Mo??t lube pump?? have a low oil level ??witch Parameter ??78 i?? u??ed to tell CNC??2 what type of ??witch i?? being u??ed a
NC or NO ??witch
Parameter ??78 can be u??e to ??et ??witch type?? from NC to NO and ??ome other option??
Each Bit corre??pond?? to a different function All value?? are to be added to the current ??etting For example if you need to
??et the low lube input to normally open NO add ?? to thi?? parameter
Bit
Function Default StateOppo??ite State
0 Lube Fault NC = OKNO = OK Add ??
?? Spindle Fault NC = OKNO = OK Add 2Note If the Low Lube ??witch i
?? triggered thi ?? will generate a CNC??2 β405β error and will not let the operator run a G
code program or Enter MDI until the Low Lube input ha ?? been cleared If the low lube error i ?? triggered during a G code
program CNC??2 will fini??h the G code program before i????uing the 405 error
NOTE Thi?? parameter wor k?? onl y with ??pecifi c PLC program ?? ??uch a ?? Acorn PLC program ?? generated b y the Wizard
and the β??tockβ PLC program?? included with the CNC??2 in??taller The PLC program in??talled in the control MAY NOT be
mapped a?? indicated below The??e parameter?? ??hould only be changed by a qualified technician
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