Three Tips for Success

These are the top three things that will help you avoid errors and be successful. 

1)-Make sure your computer's power settings are configured so that the computer doesn't go into sleep mode, hibernation, or otherwise enter a lower power state when left idle. This can cause the machine to loose connection and come up with an "E-Stop" error code. The usb cable must be plugged into the Ghost Gunner and computer. The computer must be plugged into the power supply and not dependent on battery power.

2)- Proper assembly of the collet, nut, and tooling is critical to successful milling. Failure to secure the collet correctly will lead to poor cutting quality, oversized holes, and possibly result in a catastrophic failure with damage to the collet, nut, tool, workpiece, spindle, and CNC machine components. 

Make sure the collet is properly seated into the collet nut. The collet should snap into the collet nut when turned at a 45 degree angle so that the collet and nut do not come apart. Slide the tool into the collet-nut assembly. Thread the tool-collet-nut assembly onto the spindle. Push the tool all the way into the spindle then tighten the collet nut to ensure that the tool does not walk out while milling. The collet should not be able to fall out of the collet nut once snapped together.  Check out the proper tool and collet installation guide. 

Here's a video of using an ER collet system on a Ghost Gunner 3. The process is the same for all Ghost Gunners. https://youtu.be/ZbmulA3E8Q8

3)-The Ghost Gunner 3 is equipped with a green LED light that will turn on whenever the part is shorted to the table, the endmill is making contact with a charged workpiece or if the probe wire is unplugged.

• Use this feature to help you detect any possible probing issues before you start the probing sequence. When the workpiece is installed and ready for probing, make sure the end mill is not contacting the workpiece. The green LED light should be off at this point. If it’s on, the workpiece may be shorted to the table.

           

• To check if your workpiece is getting voltage, you can short the part to the table by using a metal Allen wrench. Touch raw metal on the workpiece with one end of a wrench, then touch the endmill or table with another part of the wrench, so that the wrench is touching both the workpiece and the table or spindle at the same time. The green LED light should turn on when the part is shorted. Remove the wrench and make sure the green LED turns off. Then proceed to probing.