Topics

1

General Mach Discussion / Options for Lathe Retrofit

« on: February 20, 2015, 09:57:11 AM »

Just looking for some options for retro-fitting Mach 3 or 4 to and older lathe.

It currently has a Siemens 5 HP DC servo and drive for the spindle. 200V 3 phase input, most likely analog control.  Encoder coupled to Spindle.  My thoughts were to replace the DC servo with a AC motor and VFD and retaining encoder on spindle, just because of the voltage and unknown condition of current servo/ drive.  Would I be able to sync spindle to axis for threading?  What capability would I be losing besides positioning?

Turret and closer are hydraulic with solenoid control and some type of rotary switch for the 8 turret positions.


What's my best options for control, as far as breakout boards?

Thanks

2

General Mach Discussion / Semi-Rigid Tapping

« on: April 15, 2014, 07:37:02 PM »

I am experimenting with my T/C tapping holder and it appears that there is a delay in retracting the head after the swindle starts.  I am running the spindle via VFD and Modbus.  ESS for machine control. After the spindle starts in the CCW direction there is a delay until the head starts moving up. Don't know if there is a setting in ESS or Mach3 that can correct this lag.
Here is a sample of the code.


(Tap: 1/4 20)
N01 G90 G80 G40 G54 G20 G17 G50 G94 G64 (Safety block)
N02 M5
N05 M9
N10 T50 M6
N20 M3 S400 (Spindle on CW)
N30 G0 X.287 Y-1.06 Z.1 (Rapid to Above 1st Hole)
N40 G1 Z-.25 F20 (Begin Tapping 1st Hole)
N50 M4 S400 (Reverse Spindle Direction)
N60 G4 P.0 (Dwell, 0.5 Second)
N70 Z.1 F20 (Retract)
N80 M3 S400 (spindle on CW)
N90 G4 P.5 (Dwell, 0.5 Second)
N100 G0 X1.037 Y-1.06 (Rapid to Above 2nd Hole)
N110 G1 Z-.25 F20 (Begin Tapping 2nd Hole)
N120 M4 S400 (Reverse Spindle Direction)
N130 G4 P.0 (Dwell, 0.5 Second)
N140 Z.1 F20 (Retract)
N150 M30 (Program End)

3

General Mach Discussion / Mobus and Durapulse GS3 VFD Help

« on: January 09, 2014, 11:17:40 PM »

I would like to control the GS3 via Modbus. I have the rs485 connected and appears Modbus communicates without error. I having a problem understanding the settings for start reg and # of registers. it appears I can read on the input side on start reg 0 I can read 7 registers. How should the output be setup to control spindle.  I also would like to map the inputs to User DRO's to display RPM, AMPS, Freq. if possible.


 http://www.automationdirect.com/static/manuals/gs3m/ch5.pdf

Can I do this with some VB scripts or is a Brain required.

4

General Mach Discussion / Tool changer control

« on: June 19, 2013, 11:17:52 PM »

I am currently working on a 10 pos carousel tool changer for my rf 45  and need some suggestions on control. Currently using ESS with Mach 3. I need to control stepper motor for carousel and several I/o for sensors and slide control.  Is it best to use a macro and the I/o available via ESS or use something like and Arduino to control the tool changer and just use Mach 3 to request the tool and verify completion.  Does anyone have Mach screen made for tool changer? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks