Setup & Applications
The purpose of this document is to help owners of the MDX-540,
MDX-540A, MDX-540S and MDX-540SA milling machine setup
and use the ZTT-540 T-Slot Table accessory for various
applications.
Installation of the T-Slot Table
Remove the four cap screws and detach the standard table.
Mount the T-slot table oriented as shown in the image below, and
secure it in place with the four provided cap screws.
VPanel Adjustments
After installing the T-slot table for your MDX-540, you will need to
make the following adjustments in the VPanel. The table setting
must be changed from “Standard” to “ZTT-540”:
Tech Note: Once you have follow these steps make sure restart
your machine to commit these changes.
Mounting the Z-origin Sensor
Due to the excess height of the T-slot table the Z-origin sensor
will need to be installed on the table without its included riser.
Remove the extra riser from the sensor and install the sensor on
in the front right position using the three short length nylon screws
that were provided in the original MDX-540 shipment (shown
below) or in the back left position if the 4-th axis is being installed
on the table.
Mounting the ATC (Optional)
Four T-slot nuts are included with the table for installing the ATC
unit. Insert two T-slot nuts into each of the last two groves so that
the ATC can be fastened down with the 4 provided bolts. Please
refer to the ZAT-540 User Manual for detailed installation instructions.
Mounting the 4th Axis (Optional)
Mount the ZCL-540 directly to the T-slot table’s front groove. The
4th axis is designed to mount to the T-slot table without and added
spacer show above. The Z-origin sensor will need to be installed
in the rear left position of the table. Please refer to the ZCL-540 User
Manual for detailed installation instructions.
ZTT-540 SCHEMATIC
T-Slot Table Nut Specifications:
Slot Size: 10mm
Thread Size: M8 x 1.25
APPLICATIONS
The ZTT-540 T-slot table works together with a variety of clamps,
vises and other fixtures that allow for one off or repeatable
production of parts for various purposes. All clamps and kits need
to have T-slot nuts that fit the above mentioned T-slot and stud
size specifications.
Clamping
Various clamping kits are available that let you hold down blocks
of material of various sizes without having to use any adhesives
or tape. Riser blocks allow you accurately adjust the height of
included strap clamps and bolt down your material tightly to the T-
slot table.
If you are new to using T-slot table CNC
setups then using a clamp kit is the best
way for you get started. All of the bolts,
riser blocks and strap clamps that you
need to start clamping down material
blocks of various sizes will be included
without having to hunt down the
individual parts. One of the most popular
and user friendly clamping kits for the
MDX-540 is the TE-CO Metric Steel
Super Clamp (below).
TE-CO Metric Steel Super
Clamp Kit
Part Number: 68101
www.te-co.com
MITEE-BITE T-Slot Clamp Kit
Locks in machine T-slot for
low profile clamping
Part Number: 50644
www.miteebite.com
Tech Note: There is a range above the table where the spindle
may not reach depending on the cutter length, there may be
occasions where the cutter does not reach
the material. Spacers to raise clamps can
be used when necessary.
Tech Note: Size and weight limitations of
the MDX-540 should be considered when
using any table accessory. The maximum
loadable limit, including the machine table
of the MDX-540, is 44lbs. Please consider
the overall weight of the machine platform, clamps, vises, and
workpiece before use. Refer to the User’s Manual for detailed
information.
Vises
Any given vise can only hold
certain material sizes, but for the
purpose of multiple index milling
and other special applications
there is no better option to speed
up your workflow. Standard and
self-centering vises are designed
to give you the ability to quickly
hold down your material for milling
and then release to re-affix your
part to mill more features, or start
milling a new project.
Vises tend to be a more expensive solution for holding down your
work piece, but the convenience and time savings that come from
using a vise are hard to beat. Several vices are available that will
work with the ZTT-540 table, but we recommend the following:
Gibraltar Standard Toolmakers Vise
5in Capacity
Part Number: 42052761
www.mscdirect.com
5th Axis Metric Self Centering Vise
125mm Capacity
Part Number: V562M
www.fifthaxis.com
Individual Clamps/Hold Downs
There are a wide range of other fixture clamps and hold downs
available for advanced users at www.miteebite.com among other
providers. Choose which tools you want to use, but make sure
that any T-slot nuts included are correctly sized.
Riser Clamp Kits T-Slot Toe Clamps
Individual Strap Clamps Mono-Bloc Chain Clamps
