Help with Alfamacchine T350 pneumatics...old, old machine

[TomP]

Hello,

My frame shop owner friend has a 90 degree double mitre saw (Green Machine) made by Alfamacchine, probably in the 60's or 70's.

The machine's control is strictly pneumatic, with 2 hand (press) controls, AND and OR valves, air limit switches, and air pilot operated 4 way and 3 way valves. It is malfunctiong, sometimes not initiating or completing the sequence, and funky foot pedal operation.

The pneumatics are highly engineered (like most things Italian), but unfortunately the instruction booklet that came with the machine does not have a drawing. It makes it tough to troubleshoot, or reverse engineer. Also unfortunately, the new machines' pneumatics are plumbed (and sourced) differently...I tried using the new T300 manual drawing. Italy has not been able to provide the old drawing.

This saw is a precison machine tool, and a new one won't be built any better. We have to fix it.

Has anyone in this framer forum run into this, or have an old drawing?

Regards,

Tom

 

[Underpinner Spares]

 

[TomP]

wow! Thank you very much!

 

[TomP]

What I don't see in the drawing are the limit switches. Also, how did the balloon call outs get translated to part numbers? It was all Pneumax valves.

 

[Underpinner Spares]

i don't recall the T350 using pneumatic limit switches are you sure that's the correct model number for your saw?

*also the part numbers are always either vague or non existent on their schematics which makes working on their saw interesting to say the least!

 

[TomP]

i don't recall the T350 using pneumatic limit switches are you sure that's the correct model number for your saw?

*also the part numbers are always either vague or non existent on their schematics which makes working on their saw interesting to say the least!

It absolutely has 3 pneumatic limit switches. One for up, the second for down, and the third mid stroke adjustable to slow to cutting speed. The machine was purchased through Amp International, Farmington MI in the mid to late 70's, Model T-350, but the documentation clearly identifies it as being an Alfamacchine Italy machine.

 

[TomP]

Well, I have an update...I have determined that the machine uses (3) OR valves in its logic scheme, along with the (2) pneumatic limit switches (not 3), and the rate adjust. The "press 2 hand control" is integral to the 4 way valve that controls the up/down (cut) cylinder, not a separate valve like newer machines have. Although I changed, it, I do not believe the old one was bad. What was failing was the hold downs 4 way pilot operated valve. Replacing it corrected a majority of the machine's cycle problem, both foot pedal and hold downs related.
The remaining problem is that on occasion the head just stops its stroke, after being triggered. I don't know if the blocking valve on the main cylinder is the problem, (or counterbalance), or if the push buttons circuit is not maintaining the 4 way, but my next step will be tracing the limit switch lines to see how they interact, and are supposed to create a holding circuit (I think). Then I'll have the drawing a drawing for the machine!