Powermatic 15H, 15S operating instructions Scale Alignment, Establish Absolute Zero

From this point on, any table movement will be based off this setting. The setting will be kept in the device’s memory even when the digital display is turned off, and only needs re-setting after a battery has lost charge and needs replacing.

TOL – tolerance setting

This function is not generally used in planer operations, but is here explained for reference.

Press TOL, and an up-arrow indicator will appear, as well as a flashing “SET” indicator. You can now change the upper tolerance limit. Hold down the TOL button and each digit flashes in turn. When the digit you want flashes, release the TOL button.

Press TOL button once (no longer than 1 second) and that digit will increase each time TOL is pressed.

When finished, press and hold TOL button until indicator “SET” flashes. While indicator “SET” is flashing, press SET button to change the arrow to the down-arrow indicator. You can now change the lower tolerance limit in the same manner as you changed the upper tolerance limit.

When finished setting the lower tolerance limit, while indicator “SET” is flashing, press SET button (no longer than 1 second). The device is now in tolerance measuring mode. When the up- arrow indicator is displayed, it means the measured value is beyond the upper limit. When the down-arrow indicator is displayed, the measured value is below the lower limit. When the display shows an “OK” indicator, the measured value is within tolerance.

Calibrating & Using Digital Scale

Scale Alignment

The scale assembly has been mounted and aligned with the 15S Planer table at the factory. The scale should be in vertical position, and the digital device should slide smoothly along the full length of the scale. Check occasionally that the screws holding the device to the planer are tight. If any realignment of the scale should ever be needed, slots are provided in the mounting brackets (Fig. 41).

Figure 41

Establish Absolute Zero

One of your first steps should be to “zero” the digital scale in absolute mode. This is equivalent to finding the exact point of contact between the cutterhead knife and the table. This can’t be done simply by raising the table, because the depth limiter on the head casting will prevent contact between table and cutterhead. However, there are two relatively easy methods of establishing zero in absolute mode:

Method 1 uses a gauge, such as a height gauge, or a home-made gauge block (see Fig. 17). If using a home-made gauge block, make sure it has been cut to exact specifications.

1.Disconnect machine from power source.

2.Turn on the digital display. It turns on in absolute mode.

3.Place the gauge upon the planer table and under the cutterhead. (Make sure the gauge lies solidly upon the table and not upon the table rollers.)

4.Raise the table until the gauge just touches the lowest point of a knife. Rock the cutterhead slightly (use the pulley to do this) to make certain the knife’s high point is contacting the gauge.

5.The reading on the gauge, or the height of the gauge block, should now be input into the digital display. Refer to the instructions above involving the “SET” button function to input this number into your digital display.

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