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Check reference status

Press REF key and verify spindle reference status in the reference menu. Look for spindle axis showing unreferenced state.

On newer TNC controls, referenced axes show green checkmarks while unreferenced show red X marks.

Execute spindle reference run

Select spindle axis in REF menu and press NC START to initiate reference sequence. Monitor for proper movement to reference switch.

Ensure spindle area is clear and chuck/toolholder is properly secured before referencing.

Verify reference completion

Confirm spindle shows referenced status and test with manual M19 command or spindle orient function.

Machine parameter MP7500 defines the spindle reference position angle.

Check encoder signals

Navigate to MOD > DIAGNOSIS > ENCODER and monitor spindle encoder signals during manual rotation. Verify track A, B, and reference mark signals.

Reference mark should show clean pulse once per revolution on oscilloscope view.

Inspect reference switch

Check spindle reference switch (if equipped) in DIAGNOSIS > INPUTS menu. Switch should activate once per spindle revolution.

Never bypass safety interlocks when testing reference switches.

Verify encoder parameters

Check machine parameters MP4110-MP4130 for correct spindle encoder configuration including lines per revolution and reference mark settings.

MP4120 defines encoder lines per revolution - common values are 1024, 2048, or 4096.

Verify spindle axis assignment

Check MP7410 to confirm spindle is properly assigned as positioning spindle. Value should match spindle number (typically 1 for main spindle).

MP7410=0 disables spindle positioning entirely.

Check reference method

Verify MP7420 spindle reference method setting. Common values: 0=reference switch, 1=encoder reference mark, 2=combined method.

Incorrect reference method can cause spindle to reference in wrong direction or fail completely.

Validate reference direction

Check MP7430 for spindle reference direction. Ensure direction matches physical switch/encoder mark location relative to desired zero position.

Use MP7440 to set reference feedrate - typically 50-200 RPM for safe referencing.

Check spindle drive status

Navigate to DIAGNOSIS > SPINDLE STATUS and verify drive shows ready state. Look for any active fault codes or error messages.

Drive ready signal is typically shown as 'DRIVE RDY' or similar in status display.

Clear drive faults

If drive faults are present, clear them using appropriate reset procedure. Check drive documentation for specific fault code meanings.

Always identify and correct root cause of drive faults before clearing - repeated faults indicate hardware issues.

Test basic spindle operation

Verify spindle can start/stop normally with M3/M5 commands before attempting reference run. Check for proper speed feedback.

Use low RPM (100-300) for initial testing to avoid excessive vibration if coupling issues exist.