Ultratec FANTASY MACHINE User Manual

Revision 7 (Feb 2019)

FANTASY MACHINE

USER’S MANUAL

Revision 7(February 2019)

www.ultratec-facet.com

Revision 7 (Feb 2019)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

1.0 UNPACKAGING THE UNIT

2.0 AN OVERVIEW

3.0 SETTING UP

3.1 The Machine, 3.2 Install Dial Indicators, 3.3 Install Drip Tank,

3.4 Install Splashguard, 3.5 Install Lamp, 3.6 Install Lateral Stop Arm

4.0 OPERATION

4.1 The Control Panel

4.1.1 Control of Tool-drive Motor

4.1.2 Control of Reciprocation Motor

4.2 Tool-drive Motor position

4.2.1 Moving Tool-drive Motor position

4.3 The Mast

4.3.1 The Mounting Block

4.3.2 Mounting the Mast.

4.3.2.1 Affixing the Rigidizer to the Mast

4.4 Drive Motor Setups

4.4.1 Position 1 - the “Home” position. Aligning the Mast to the unit’s working mechanisms

4.4.2 Position 2 Alignment

4.5 Horizontal Positioning – X, Y, θ

4.5.1 X Positioning.

4.5.2 Y Positioning.

4.5.3 θ Positioning

5.0 TOOLS

5.1 Mounting Tools into the Tool-drive Motor

5.1.1 Cylindrical tools

5.1.2 Slitting Tools

5.2 CUTTING AND POLISHING TOOLS

6.0 CUTTING INFORMATION
Appendix

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INTRODUCTION
The Ultra Tec Faceting Machine has been manufactured since 1966. It displays Ultra Tec’s approach to

equipment design -- direct, simple, thorough and non-compromising – providing the user with the precision and
repeatability that fine lapidary work requires.

The Fantasy machine was developed at the urging of professional gem cutters. It is based on their “wish list” –
a list that included mechanisms and controls for almost every possible axis of positioning. It started out with a
goal of making advanced positioning controls available for “concave cutting”. When we were done, we found
that the equipment could not only do the enhanced concave cutting originally intended but also something new ­“Fantasy stones” – essentially, geometric carving – a lapidary art that gives free rein to the imagination of the
user. So—the project became a goal exceeded.

The Fantasy Machine has gone through a period of extensive testing – tweaking – modifying – getting it right.
That period included learning – a learning that continues – but clearly, it was time for the Fantasy machine to be
introduced.

As Fantasy users gain experience – their work will turn increasingly complex. It’s not for kids. It is for lovers of
lapidary, perhaps better said – imaginative lovers of lapidary—it’s an art form. Enjoy it.

ABOUT YOUR FANTASY MACHINE
The Fantasy Machine is a precision device, but not a delicate device. For maintenance, it only needs normal

“wipe-it-down” cleanliness and reasonable care.
Pay attention to safety -- there are tools in multiple motion. In general, these are not sharp cutting tools, but

sometimes are, and are necessarily exposed. So -- treat them with respect.
As with any electro-mechanical device, there can be occasional problems--and if you experience one, re-read

the Owner's manual for the function involved, to assure that you are performing the operation correctly. If you
still experience a problem, communicate with your Ultra Tec representative or with the factory.

Shown with a Mast mounted – how it will look “in use”.

ABOUT THIS MANUAL

Most Manuals start out by saying “Read this carefully before proceeding”. Our advice is to do what you will
probably do anyhow -- that is, “Browse through this Manual quickly, and then start trying things out – go back to

the Manual if something puzzles you”. Our reason: This is a complex, but very logical machine. As a faceter
you’ll figure out most of it by just looking at it. For many functions it takes longer to go through a verbal

description than it does to just look at it—and try it. Obviously, if something feels “too tight”, or is “jamming”, go
back to the Manual and read the section you need.

Revision 7 (Feb 2019)

1.0 UNPACKAGING THE UNIT
The machine comes in protective packaging which you may want to save, along with its box, in the event that
future shipment or storage is necessary. These are the included items:

Please note that the Fantasy Machine is heavy, so you may want someone to help you with lifting it out of its
shipping box. Have a sturdy surface to set it onto.

There are not a lot of pieces.
The Base - the basic machine itself →

Two Dial Indicators

Mast Alignment Dops →

 Drip Tank

Position 2 Alignment Block

Position 2 Spacer

Lateral Stop Bracket

And, Tool Box that includes:
Cylindrical Tools:

Copper/Maple/Phenolic -diameters
8mm 13 mm, 17 mm;
Slitting Tools: Copper/Phenolic – 90º;
and Adapter Shaft.
ER-16 Collet Set of 10
ER-16 Spanner Wrench.

Revision 7 (Feb 2019)

2.0 An Overview
The Fantasy Machine provides multiple axis repeatable positioning for use of cylindrical tools (“mandrels”) and

Slitting tools (disc “grooving” tools).
These are the positioning features:

● Initial Alignment – the faceting Mast is set onto the Fantasy Machine and aligned to a “home position” –
an initial retrievable 0 reference.

● X (in-out) directional positioning (“parallel stepping”) of the grinding/polishing tool, relative to the
workpiece is provided - Dial indicator readout.

● Y (side-to-side) directional positioning (“parallel stepping”) of the grinding/polishing tool, relative to the
workpiece is provided - Dial indicator readout.

● θ (theta – angular) 180º of angular positioning, of the grinding/polishing tool relative to the workpiece is
provided. The Pivot axis is the 0-0 position

● Lateral Stop Bracket -- locks out lateral motion of the Quill and tweaks Quill-to-Mandrel alignment

● There are two settable motor positions – Position 1, in line with a cylindrical tool axis - that axis
intersecting the “pivot axis” (the axis of horizontal angular positioning) - and maintaining in-line
reciprocation regardless of θ angular setting. Position 2 is at 90º, for use of grooving type of tool - it
allows for setting the slitting tool so that it intersects the “pivot axis”, and it also maintains in-line
reciprocation regardless of θ angular setting.

• Reciprocation of the mandrel amplitude is adjustable – from very little (including none) to over an inch

and reciprocation rate is adjustable up to 140 CPM – a high reciprocation rate is valuable for polishing.

The Reciprocation Motor is independent of other controls.

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3.0 SETTING UP

3.1 The Machine – The machine should be placed on a workbench or desk surface. It is fairly heavy, about

about 65 pounds, so be sure the work bench is sturdy and you may need assistance in lifting it to the
surface. The machine will need a plug-in electrical supply and a container for draining, a gallon
container is adequate.

3.2 Install Dial Indicators – There are two Dial Indicators (these are shipped unassembled to avoid
damage). As you face the machine, the position at the close left corner is designated “X”; the position at
the right side, toward the back, is designated “Y”.

The two Indicators are identical. Inserted, each one into its bracket, (as shown in the photos) leaving a
small gap of several millimeters between the round dial case and the bracket.

Each of these indicators has an Indicator Anvil to set the indicator reading.
Note: The Indicator has an outer dial that the long needle tracks around – one full rotation being 1 mm

(capable of very small incremental settings). There is a small inner dial that counts rotations of the outer
dial – it reads 10 turns, and then 10 more –so you can read 20 mm in all (.800”) [you can squeeze another
millimeter at the end of the scale]. When the following paragraph says: set the indicator to 0-0 it means set

the Dial Indicator’s long needle readout to 0 with the inner dial (rotation counter) at 0.

3.2.1 The X Indicator Anvil (left) can be positioned by loosening the Black Knob at the left side of the
plate, sliding the anvil to the desired position and then re-tightening the knob.

In setting up, set the X Indicator to 0-0 – there is some preloading, even at 0-0 (see the boxed note
above). After initial mounting of the X Indicator, slide the Anvil against the indicator shaft to get that
reading (you just have to get the 0 setting close, because you can “fine-tune” the alignment by
turning the outer ring of the indicator until the outer 0 position is exact).

3.2.2 The Y Indicator Anvil (right) can be positioned by
loosening the Black Knob at the rear of the Mast
Mounting Block -- sliding the anvil to the desired
position, and then retightening the knob.

At the time of initial setup, this Anvil is pulled away
from the Dial Indicator – not activated, at least until the
Y linear position of the Mast has been set. Later, when
the Y setting is involved in the process, slide the Anvil
into contact with the Indicator shaft then set it at 0-0.

Revision 7 (Feb 2019)

3.3 Install Drip Tank - The Drip Tank post slips into a black Bushing in the left rear of the
Reciprocating Table (see the picture on right). Place the Drip Tank onto the post, position
the Post into the Bushing, tighten the set screw, and it is ready. The flow rate is adjusted by
turning the valve stem, and the water shuts off with an easy pressure. Avoid over tightening
the valve. The tank will fit snugly, but loose enough for you to rotate its position.

3.4 Adjusting Splashguard Position

The machine is shipped with the Splashguard in place. You may want to later adjust its position (or you may
not) no urgency about this. If you grip the Splashguard and pull, the
entire Splashguard pulls out. Then you will find that the clear plastic piece can be pulled
away from the Black Positioning Disc.

To reassemble and adjust the positioning, slip the black piece over the Spindle and set it into the hole – it’s a
“slip fit” (but fairly snug). Note that the hole through which the motor spindle passes is off center from the
outside diameter of the black piece – it can be set with the hole downward (as in fig.2) or with the hole upward
(as in fig 3), or at positions in-between. Those various positions allow you to set the amount of exposure of the
Mandrel, providing more or less splash protection – it’s a “judgment” setting that you will make (based on
experience, starting out – leave it in its hole-upward starting point).

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3

Set the clear Splashguard in place, and use the Black Knob to secure it. Note
that there is a pre-installed drain and draintube that extends from the bottom of
the clear Splashguard – lead it to an appropriate drain container.