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TB057 Rev1 Console Installation
Overview
The purpose of this document is to provide information on the correct installation of a console for appropriate
height and arm length
Correct Height
The correct height of the console is determined by putting the middle of the console at eye level The average
height user should be able to stand at the console and look directly into the middle of the console without
having to bend their neck It is important to take into account the shipping pallet if present To adjust for the
pallet stand on an equal height pallet when checking the console height For a knee mill the bottom of the
console should be no lower than the bottom of the spindle when it is fully retracted and a tool is not present
Correct Arm Length
The arm must always put the console at a comfortable height and within easy reach The arm should not place
the console too far back or too far forward An easy test to determine that the arm length is correct is whether
or not the operator has to lean over the table to operate the console The operator should not have to do this
If a table guard is to be mounted on the table later this should be taken into consideration when testing the
arm length
The arm should not place the console too far in front of the machine The arm length of the console should be
such that the operator can stand close to the machine without hitting the table and not have to lean back or
step away from the machine to operate the control If the operator needs to lean back or step away from the
machine the arm is too long
When an M15 is to be mounted on a knee mill the best place to mount the arm is in the shipping eyebolt hole
using the Centroid designed "L" bracket and bolt This avoids drilling holes in the frame and results in quick
installation The arm can then be removed for shipping
It is not always necessary to design a special arm in every case An arm that is appropriate in length but is
mounted too far back on the column appears too short In this case a longer arm may be fabricated A longer
arm will cause the keyboard to bounce when the operator types The original shorter arm would not do this
The original arm would be the correct length if it were properly mounted as far forward on the column as
possible
Also use a stop bolt to prevent the arm from swinging into the head or shop light Mount the shop light on the
left if an automatic tool changer ATC is not present
Shipping the Console
The machine should never be shipped with the console mounted to the arm Do not pad and shrink wrap the
console to the back to the head Shipping damage will almost surely result if this is done The correct method
for shipping is to first remove the console from the table Next pad and box the console and finally shrink wrap
it The cables can even be left connected This process is especially easy with the M15 console It can also be
done with M400 PC Console which can quickly be unbolted form the arm swivel Leave the flexible conduit
attached to the console
Document History
Rev1 Created on 1999 01 14