Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: rauno on October 18, 2011, 01:42:08 AM

Title: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: rauno on October 18, 2011, 01:42:08 AM
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
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: rauno on October 21, 2011, 02:05:16 AM
Can anyone help me configure Mach3?
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: Hood on October 21, 2011, 04:46:00 AM
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
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: rauno on October 21, 2011, 05:02:45 AM
I was afraid of something like that coming up in the process. I have some thinking to do now.
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: ostie01 on October 21, 2011, 10:42:42 AM
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   ;D ;D ;D ;D

Sorry can't help with the electronic


Jeff
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: rauno on October 25, 2011, 02:43:08 AM
If the GCODE is written in roman number, you know it is old   ;D ;D ;D ;D

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
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: Hood on October 25, 2011, 11:04:14 AM
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
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: rauno on October 26, 2011, 03:18:58 AM
On the schematic, it says 56VDC, actual is 57,6VDC.
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: Hood on October 26, 2011, 04:50:03 AM
The smaller drives from cncdrives.com or Geckos would do fine for them.
Hood
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: rauno on October 26, 2011, 05:16:31 AM
Thanks, Hood!

I will look into those drives.
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: rauno on October 26, 2011, 07:44:40 AM
I think I will go with the G320X drives from Gecko.
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: Hood on October 26, 2011, 07:55:28 AM
Personally I think I would go with this http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/product_info.php?cPath=64&products_id=338
I have never tried either that or the Gecko but the differential encoder inputs, fully adjustable following error and USB connectible tuning would swing it for me.
Geckos are good drives as well for smaller machines but just a bit lacking on the above features.
Hood
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: adro.22 on December 18, 2011, 11:32:15 AM
Hi Rauno!
were you able to change the precimill M4? I have the same situation and I'd like to have news about it. Thanks a lot
Adro.22
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: rauno on December 18, 2011, 12:13:41 PM
Hi adro.22,

I am currently busy with other stuff. I plan to start on converting it in a couple of months.

Rauno
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: attenborough on November 17, 2012, 07:04:02 PM
did you get anywhere with this? would you like to move the old M4 on?
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: rauno on November 19, 2012, 05:54:33 AM
I'm still in the planning phase, I have a lot of other issues to solve before I can start rebuilding the machine.
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: attenborough on November 19, 2012, 05:59:28 AM
is your m4 still in working conidtion?
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: rauno on November 19, 2012, 06:05:19 AM
one limit switch is not working but otherwise it is in working condition...
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: attenborough on November 19, 2012, 06:10:16 AM
would you be interested in selling?
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: rauno on November 19, 2012, 06:14:01 AM
I would have to talk to my boss, but if the price is right, everything is possible...
Title: Re: Mach3 and Precimill M4
Post by: attenborough on November 19, 2012, 07:05:13 AM
can you send me some pics of the inside of the machine and the electronics cabinets (both sides) below, by email to info@attenborough.com