Messages

71

General Mach Discussion / Re: Fanuc OT retro

« on: October 06, 2009, 09:13:09 AM »

Until now, it appears quite difficult, since I could one jog the machine and zero it.
I am unable to do all the basic stuff (to much MACH). I am trying to input simple moves on MDI mode so that the machine can move, and I could not.
I have made a thread on CNC zone (in this forum I belive it is not the right place), asking for help, lets see.

2 Pictures attached. One, the current machine, the other as I received it.

Thanks

72

General Mach Discussion / Re: Fanuc OT retro

« on: October 06, 2009, 02:19:58 AM »

Last weekend I have successfully put the machine to jog with all the origin hardware (fanuc). Machine moving at 40m/min is something to see.
I have a lot to learn with this controller, but I will eventually get into it.

Filipe

73

General Mach Discussion / Re: Feedrate override for dummies? Please?

« on: October 03, 2009, 04:01:29 AM »

Just an ideia. If you have the keybord at and, you can assign a key to do feedrate+ and feedrate-. For example in my system, I use the 'S' key to start a cycle, so I belive that you can also do like this to feedrate+ and -.
I never did it, but I believe it works.

Filipe

74

General Mach Discussion / Re: $5000 retrofit

« on: September 26, 2009, 06:54:52 AM »

Thanks Hood

I will go for the AC servo/drive. I would like to avoid the Chinese motors and drives, and would love to try the granite drives (they are in Europe like I am). Unfortunately I find it hard to find a motor that will fit on the drive that would use all the 1.5Kw power that the drive can output. I belive I would need an AC 140V motor with continuous current of around 14A to take the most of the drive.
Fanuc motors (common for 140V) are one idea, but then I would need to but and encoder and so on... The best was to buy a suitable motor from the start.
Will ask granite devices.

But I would go for that.

75

General Mach Discussion / Re: $5000 retrofit

« on: September 26, 2009, 02:52:48 AM »

Current motors I belive they are 1500 rpm 50Hz. Those motors are only for linear movement (user presses button and machine moves in one direction), so when it was done nobody was thinking in backlash. No timming pulleys there, only simple V pulleys where a little slip is no problem.

Putting the reduction away was to have a free backlash system, but I can also arrange timing pulleys reductions. Space is no issue in that machine.

About the ballscrews, it does not have it, but my client have lots of them, so no problem in putting the ballscrews. I am more concerned in motors/drives that would provide a closed system, free of troubles.

Thank you

76

General Mach Discussion / $5000 retrofit

« on: September 25, 2009, 02:59:00 PM »

Hi. Imagine that you have a big (14 ton (metric) milling machine in pounds I belive around 28,000), old machine that currently is driven by 1.1kw motors (induction ac motors) to feed each of the 3 axis. The machine is amazing rigid, type of contruction that nowdays is not done anymore.
I saw it machining 1.2cm height on each passage (1/2") with a 300mm diameter mill. Amazing power.

Moving with my hands on the existing motors I could move the machine without effort on a 50mm (2") pulley. I suspect that currently exists more or less a 1/10 reduction between the motors and the existing screw.

Now my question: Imagine that you have ballscrews at hand and that you want a professional close loop servo system (I want a trouble free thing) on all three axis to replace the current motors and existing reduction to a direct ball screw installation. And for all that you could spend $5000 in material.

It is possible? What you you recommend ?

Thanks for any idea.

77

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3Turn Auto Tool Zero?

« on: September 25, 2009, 02:45:26 PM »

Hi.

In your method I see some problems, at first if your 1" is not totally round or centered with the chuck there goes your zero point.
The best way (for me at least) is to turn a real part, measure the diameter then set your tool.

My lathe have an auto zero, but the tools are always fixed (they do not move on the 12 tool toolholder).

Filipe

78

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do I set motor gearing?

« on: September 19, 2009, 02:10:46 AM »

you need to tune the number of steps per unit on the motor tunning window.
This number of steps per unit depends on the gearing of the motor, how transmition is done for movement, the encoder resolution (in case of servo) ...

If you are getting a bigger image as you would expecting to have, then put more steps per unit that you have right now.
In fact if you are getting, lets say 100% more big than expected (the double), then multiply the current steps per unit by 2.

Hope that helps

79

General Mach Discussion / Re: Fanuc OT retro

« on: September 16, 2009, 02:40:06 PM »

The other problem is the 9000 option parameters, these are purchased by the MTB at build time.
These turn on things like thread milling or tapping etc.
Nosmo.

Could this be the lines for example:

N09900 P 3
N09901 P 0
N09920 P 00101011
....
....

they are more os less 50 lines of N09*********

Thanks

80

General Mach Discussion / Re: Fanuc OT retro

« on: September 16, 2009, 02:35:21 PM »

Well, I do have a "manual" in the machine. It looks quite good organized, and it is divided by:

Messages
Cross Reference
Ladder logic
CNC parameters
Machine parameters
Part Programs

I believe that I have all in case of a severe blackout. My knowledge is very limited in Fanuc, so I will have a lot to learn.

Currently machine is all being painted (it is fully enclosed, showing it "open")