Denford Triac VMC with ATC Conversion / Fix

[JohnHaine]

Hi Chaz,

Well, looks like a good buy with some nice extras! You don't need power to open the latch, there is a discrete hole somewhere round the back where you can insert a thin rod to activate it. I can't remember exactly where and not at home at the moment to look. I think I probably looked up the latch on the web to find out about it. If I remember I'll have a look at home this evening.

As this mill uses AC servos rather than steppers I suggest that you also join and post an enquiry at the Denford site http://www.denfordata.com. They have the wiring diagrams there and you should be able to get information on the servo drives. If the problem is the PC OS not booting I'd suggest the first place to start is there, and try to see if you can use the mill as-is, if necessary with a new PC.

[Chaz]

Hi Chaz,

Well, looks like a good buy with some nice extras! You don't need power to open the latch, there is a discrete hole somewhere round the back where you can insert a thin rod to activate it. I can't remember exactly where and not at home at the moment to look. I think I probably looked up the latch on the web to find out about it. If I remember I'll have a look at home this evening.

As this mill uses AC servos rather than steppers I suggest that you also join and post an enquiry at the Denford site http://www.denfordata.com. They have the wiring diagrams there and you should be able to get information on the servo drives. If the problem is the PC OS not booting I'd suggest the first place to start is there, and try to see if you can use the mill as-is, if necessary with a new PC.

Thanks. That will be the first attempt. An issue I have is no 3 phase at home. Is it worth buying an inverter if the items might be changed later? From what I can tell from the wiring diagram (which I have), the only thing that runs from 3 phase is the coolant motor and perhaps some of the secondary voltages from a primary fed 3 phase transformer. I need to double check however.

I wasnt aware the PC was 'standard'. Ill research about how to sort, I have a number of older motherboards / ram / CPU that will be more than good enough for this. Also got the original CDs.

This uses the Fanuc system I think? So if I draw something and create the G Code, is this where the post processors come in?

Thanks for your response.

[JohnHaine]

You could probably replace the transformer with a single phase one provided the overall rating is sensible. Or replace the whole PSU.

If it is a DC motor with the usual thyristor controller then that will probably run happily from single phase with some careful re-wiring. Actually checking the manual you referenced above it has a single phase mains connection anyway!

The coolant pump is more of a problem but its power is probably low and you can run 3 phase motors from single phase using some capacitor trickery - or use a cheap inverter - or replace the motor - or dispense with pumped coolant!

[Chaz]

You could probably replace the transformer with a single phase one provided the overall rating is sensible. Or replace the whole PSU.

If it is a DC motor with the usual thyristor controller then that will probably run happily from single phase with some careful re-wiring. Actually checking the manual you referenced above it has a single phase mains connection anyway!

The coolant pump is more of a problem but its power is probably low and you can run 3 phase motors from single phase using some capacitor trickery - or use a cheap inverter - or replace the motor - or dispense with pumped coolant!

Yep, this might not paste well, but apart from coolant pump, nothing else uses 3 Phase.

	Control Logic	Voltage	Current	Controller / Driver	Comments
X Axis	+/- 10V	220V		IRTA 1306
Y Axis	+/- 10V	220V	Fuse	IRTA 1306
Z Axis	+/- 10V	220V		IRTA 1306
Spindle		220V	10A	Sprint Electric 1200	DC Motor - 12 Amps?
ATC Motor		220V	3.15A
Coolant		415V
Lighting		12V			50VA
Monitor		220V

[Chaz]

This is the coolant pump. Id like to have this option if I can. Small power, so must be an option to sort this. Id like to upload the schematic (in pdf somewhere) and then link it for reference to anyone interested.

[JAZZCNC]

Excellent buy Chaz.!!

If you can fix the PC/OS then it would be worth either replacing the Transformers or buying 415V converter and keeping original.

If you replace the Controller for Mach3 system then you will need analog controller as the servos are analog not Step & direction. Also if using the IP-A then you'll need to check the Servo's have differential encoders on them and Not single ended type. If so you'll have to replace them if possible or get some sort of line converter setup.!

Change transformer for drives etc and Small 0.75Kw VFD will sort the collant pump.

That wiring diagram is going to be priceless but you've still got plenty of head scratching coming your way. Lol

[Chaz]

Excellent buy Chaz.!!

If you can fix the PC/OS then it would be worth either replacing the Transformers or buying 415V converter and keeping original.

If you replace the Controller for Mach3 system then you will need analog controller as the servos are analog not Step & direction. Also if using the IP-A then you'll need to check the Servo's have differential encoders on them and Not single ended type. If so you'll have to replace them if possible or get some sort of line converter setup.!

Change transformer for drives etc and Small 0.75Kw VFD will sort the collant pump.

That wiring diagram is going to be priceless but you've still got plenty of head scratching coming your way. Lol

Thanks, lots to do still. I need to take a good look on the weekend and see what I can understand. I want to get ordering and fixing but need to be careful not to piss away money.

How difficult to tell what encoders are on the servos? Would I see something from the wiring or drive or do I have to see the actual motor?

So if I do retrofit, the ideal controller here is the CS Labs IP-S ? Will this drive using the existing drives or do you think they will need to be replaced? Same question for the motors.

Thanks all!

[JAZZCNC]

So if I do retrofit, the ideal controller here is the CS Labs IP-S ? Will this drive using the existing drives or do you think they will need to be replaced? Same question for the motors.

NO you need the IP-A because the servos are Analog servos and won't accept Step & Dir signals.

You will be able to re-use motors and drives. The motor manual should tell you type of encoders.! But Single ended will have 5 wires. Differential will have 8 or more wires.

[Boyan Silyavski]

Great buy! Good luck!

I think that the pump can be wired for 2 phase 230V, as you could see on the plate

you may watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UcDM3hm0XM

[i2i]

Chaz, if you need any help i can pm you my phone number for a chat about this machine. It's a pretty easy conversion to mach as everything bar the coolant pump will run on single phase and the coolant pump will run off an inverter in delta. I had the same machine here and ran it for ages before i went to a bigger mill.

ps. it looks like all the pneumatic controls are missing, unless they're in the base of the box.