Messages

11

General Mach Discussion / Re: Comments on MachMotion Digital CNC Control Kits I/O Breakout Board !

« on: June 06, 2011, 10:47:14 AM »

I have and it works fine.

12

Galil / Re: Lathe Threading

« on: June 06, 2011, 07:14:23 AM »

Thanks Hood

13

Galil / Re: Lathe Threading

« on: June 06, 2011, 07:09:02 AM »

Hi, can any of you explain in simple terms what would be the advantage of using a Galil (or similar) controller instead of just connecting two servo drives commanded by step/dir signals directly  to a computer running Mach? Is there a significant performance improvement to be obtained by using one of these controllers. I have a future project and would like to consider all options.

Thanks,

Jorge

14

General Mach Discussion / Re: Retrofit cost to Mach 3.

« on: June 05, 2011, 11:45:59 AM »

I use to have a Siemens Sinnumerik control built 1.985 or so. No support, no spare parts, too many manuals in german etc.  The Fanuc is a more popular control and you may want to try to  get your machine running before deciding on a major overhaul.

15

General Mach Discussion / Re: Retrofit cost to Mach 3.

« on: June 05, 2011, 11:41:33 AM »

As Hood indicates, there are many ways to do it.  I retrofitted an Emco 340 having in mind that it is not a hobby but an industrial production machine. Mach is installed in an industrial type computer, replaced DC drives with new servo drives, DC spindle motor with AC motor and VFD, added a PLC that controls many things, among them the hydraulic unit which comes with the machine. I would say I spent about $7000 USD in parts, and many hours wiring, writing the PLC program and just understanding what was going on.  Still need to do the turret. Have been working with gang tooling.

16

VB and the development of wizards / Re: m6start.m1s starting with zero

« on: June 03, 2011, 11:12:16 PM »

Hi,

I replaced the control of an Emco 340 lathe with Mach 3 and its running nicely (with gang tooling so far).  I would like to ask how did you go about controlling the turret.  Are you using the original A.C. turret motor, encoder, etc? or did you fit a servo instead.  What type of turret do you have?

Thanks,

Jorge

17

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: RICH'S ATLAS CNC CONVERSION

« on: May 29, 2011, 06:42:45 PM »

Rich, how fast can that high speed spindle go?

18

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Turn Tool Offset Procedure

« on: May 20, 2011, 07:10:23 AM »

If you do not have X homing this is what I would do.

Offset a master tool, ex. tool No. 1.

Then offset the other three tools.

Record the differences between the master tool and the other tools.

Next time you turn on the machine (without homing) you need to set the offsets for the master tool by making trial cuts.  Then you just enter the tool offsets for the other three tools, by adding the differences you recorded before with respect to the master tool.  In this way you only need to set the master tool every time you turn on the machine.

The process I just mentioned may be done in other ways, but the process will be fundamentally the same. For example you can move the master tool to 0,0.  Then use Part Zero X and Z and you are set.  It is very important that the other three tools are set correctly with respect to the master tool so you do not have to mess with them every time you turn on the machine.

If you had accurate homing you would do this process just the first time, so its worth the effort to do install home switches.

19

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 Turn Tool Offset Procedure

« on: May 18, 2011, 10:58:10 PM »

How repeatible is your homing?

20

General Mach Discussion / Re: Opinions on drives for cnc control conversion?

« on: May 11, 2011, 08:44:17 PM »

They do sell the drive by itself (call or write them). I do not know about compatibility issues.