Messages

1

VB and the development of wizards / Re: Interfacing to a PCI card

« on: February 22, 2008, 02:43:37 PM »

Hi Tweakie

I thought about it, but I have to many outputs that needs to be trigered.

My front turret has one relay to identify it, then 4 3 relays to trigger the T commands. The back turret have in total 7 relays, then there is the spindle which needs another 7 relays at minimum, that is if I want only CW, there is other relays for controlling the rolling, relays for telling the control when tha gears have been changed etc.

I thought of adding another LPT as well, but I would still be a few outputs short.

DAmn................. If I could only afford a PLC......

2

VB and the development of wizards / Interfacing to a PCI card

« on: February 21, 2008, 03:28:18 PM »

Hi all

I hope someone can guide me in my quest.

I have a lathe I've been battling years on. A "ancient" Okuma. Now I've bypassed the old control and managed to get those enormous motors running on Mach3.

But now I want to run both my turrets as well as my spindle from Mach3.

A little background on the turrets: They consist of a 4 position front and a 6 position rear. They are controlled by relays and ordinary switches. The relays are switched in combination to achieve desired tool position. I have all the electrical schema's etc.

The spindle. It is a automatic 6 speed gearbox which gives out 12 possible running speeds. Also controlled by relays.

Now for the help part I need:

I bought a PCI card which is installed within my PC which can controll 32 out and 8 in I/O's. I have written a program which succesfully does what I need it to do in VB. BUT I would like to interface it to Mach3, I can write basic VB, and I do not know C++ at all.

What would be the best way of doing this, Macro's VB Script or .........C++

Any guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Ruan Basson
South Africa

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: Re building an Okuma LS-N

« on: April 16, 2007, 02:23:41 PM »

Hi

Thanks for the replies.

For starters, I do have manuals (electrical diagrams as well), the controller is an OSP 2200 . Pictures I'll take some tommorrow and post tommorow night. I have a complete control set, but some of the connectors at the cards has been pulled out (the pins), I can't find any pin out diagram to check if everything is OK. With my multimeter I can't really trace sensible connections to the panel. But with the exception of MDI everything als seems to be OK.

Numerous people said if I do get problems with any of the cards, I will have trouble. So, I thought a modern PC will probably cope better than a 70's odd control with the huge 16K memory!

For the two servo motors, the Z axes runs a 1.5 Kw ad the X axes a 750 W motor.

The lathe is an excellent condition (except paint), there is absolutely no play on any of the leadscrews and she is very solid. I could not find indication anywhere of wear on any component.

For the drives, I saw this link on CNCZONE alot of potensial

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14217&highlight=servo+drive+circuit

Think is that I do need this lathe in operation, and by money saved by using Mach3, I can rather spent on really good encoders and a nice panel, maybe.

I'm also on a very tight budget.

Will post you guys the pics tommorrow.

Thanx again

4

General Mach Discussion / Re building an Okuma LS-N

« on: April 16, 2007, 03:19:08 AM »

Hi

I have an Okuma LS-N, which I will try and rebuild to run from Mach3.

The lathe is fully functional except that I get a DIFF error on the drives. This is due to the absolute encoders, which have been turned out. Okuma personnel are not interested to help me out.

I have a few questions, and hoping someone will be willing to help me.

Drives: My lathe has working servo drives, and according to the documentation these drive take an analog voltage then provide a rpm to satisfy. My question will ordinary PWM (Mach3) satisfy, if I run the PWM signal through a DA converter? I don't really need the Tacho on the servo's. I know I will have to replace the absolute encoders with incremental ones.

Relays: I have 2 turrets on my lathe, they are operated via relays. My plan is to use an IO card I have to provide these signals. I've read the Mach docs and it seems possible.

Spindle: I have a 12 speed automatic gearbox, which determine the speed selection as well, also relay driven. Will convert same as above.

If anyone who has experience is willing to help me, I greatly appreciate it. My lathe is not operational, and I do need to get it to a functional stage ASAP to make some living.

Greatly appreciate any pointers and help.

Regards

Ruan Basson
South Africa