Mach3 and Precimill M4

[rauno]

Hi everyone!


I am looking for new control software for an old machine. It is an old dental mill from DCS, the Precimill M4. The manufacturer has closed business and the software is most likely from the last century.

It is basically 3-axis machine with material flipper, automatic tool change and Alfred Jäger spindle (KS3-18-60).

I have been looking towards Mach3 for some time now, even tried to configure it a few times, but had no luck on my own.

So I decided to register and post a topic on this forum to get some help with it.

I attached some schematics about the machine. Take a look and give me your opinion if this software is the right one for me.
If someone can give me some help configuring the soft, it would be great.


Thanks for your attention.

Regards,
Rauno

[rauno]

Can anyone help me configure Mach3?

[Hood]

Quick look and it would seem your machine uses DC servos and analogue amplifiers (drives) so its not just a case of hooking up Mach. Easiest and cheapest rout would likely be to get new drives that accept Step/Dir input. Which drives would be suitable will depend on the current and voltage of these motors.
Hood

[rauno]

I was afraid of something like that coming up in the process. I have some thinking to do now.

[ostie01]

Hi everyone!


 The manufacturer has closed business and the software is most likely from the last century.

If the GCODE is written in roman number, you know it is old   

Sorry can't help with the electronic


Jeff

[rauno]

If the GCODE is written in roman number, you know it is old   

I haven't actually seen any GCODE on that system, I wouldn't be surprised if it uses something else to drive it.

Quick look and it would seem your machine uses DC servos and analogue amplifiers (drives) so its not just a case of hooking up Mach. Easiest and cheapest rout would likely be to get new drives that accept Step/Dir input. Which drives would be suitable will depend on the current and voltage of these motors.
Hood

The machine uses drives from ELMO, SSA-8/100 to be exact. Only info, I managed to dig up was that it's current limit is 8A and DC supply is 20-100VDC.
Can someone help me find a good replacement drive using this data?
If it helps, here is a link for the manual http://www.elmomc.com/support/manuals/MAN_SSA_UG_EN_0698.pdf

To find any info about the servos, I need to take apart my machine. That is something I would rather not do at this point.


Rauno

[Hood]

You really need to measure the voltage that is supplied to these drives to be sure, if its as much as 100v then you would need something like the Dugong drives, if its 80 or under then lots of drives to choose from.
Hood

[rauno]

On the schematic, it says 56VDC, actual is 57,6VDC.

[Hood]

The smaller drives from cncdrives.com or Geckos would do fine for them.
Hood

[rauno]

Thanks, Hood!

I will look into those drives.