Hardinge Lathe CNC Retrofit/Conversion

**Chaz** · 28-01-2021

Originally Posted by Colin Barron

The i/o board has labels options pnp/npn jumper options which may sort out prox types. Another option if you are using an automatic tool changer (see hoods videos on you tube) is to use a separate controller.

Thanks, have seen his vid.

The SZGH team reckon coding my turret via their PLC shouldnt be too difficult - I need to explain the logic and they will write it (I can then see how its done and tweak as needed).

**Hood** · 01-02-2021

How does your turret work? Servo? standard motor? other?

**Chaz** · 01-02-2021

Originally Posted by Hood

How does your turret work? Servo? standard motor? other?

Hi Hood. Not got it working yet but its lifted and rotated with air.

I need to decide if I use external PLC or theirs ..... but not a strength of mine.

Have an issue with the driver for spindle. I discussed 220V single phase but the one Ive been sent is 380V 3 phase only. Pity, so will need to make a plan.

Spindle bracket modded and installed but I cant run the spindle yet.

**Hood** · 01-02-2021

Should be possible to do the turret via macro I would think.
That is how I have done mine.
Before I bought the control I enquired about getting my turret working and eventually I managed to explain how it worked, Mike kept thinking because it was servo I would need a 3rd axis. Anyway I got a macro, it wouldn't have worked but I was able to see how things were done and thus modify it to work.

A friend is currently putting the SZGH on his Beaver TC15 lathe and I have been helping out with it. His is a servo driven turret and previously I wrote a macro for Mach to work it as the A axis and it worked well. He ordered a 3 axis lathe control and it is a C axis that is used on the SZGH for it. The macro from Mike worked sometimes and other times wouldn't, we tried all sorts of things to get it working consistently but in the end we gave up and I wrote a new macro but with using G90 moves rather than the G91 Mike had used. It seems to be working fine now although he did say he had a fault today for some reason.

Shame about the spindle, do you have 3 phase? If not then maybe a rotary converter would be the easiest/cheapest as I wouldn't imagine it cheap to send the motor/drive back for replacement.

**Neale** · 01-02-2021

Ecogoo 240V/1Ph to 380V/3Ph inverter? Available on Aliexpress. No, I don't have one but various people in the forum have used them.

Mate of mine is refitting a mill with an SZGH controller (with a bit of assistance from me) and I suspect I'm going to be writing a macro or two for things like tool-height setting and probing. I don't remember seeing anything about macro programming in the manuals we have - is there a specific manual on this?

**Chaz** · 01-02-2021

Originally Posted by Neale

Ecogoo 240V/1Ph to 380V/3Ph inverter? Available on Aliexpress. No, I don't have one but various people in the forum have used them.

Mate of mine is refitting a mill with an SZGH controller (with a bit of assistance from me) and I suspect I'm going to be writing a macro or two for things like tool-height setting and probing. I don't remember seeing anything about macro programming in the manuals we have - is there a specific manual on this?

Ive got 2 of them. I can try but I'm not sure if that would power the spindle System without causing issues. Keep in mind that the power from the Ecogoo 9000 and 9100 is higher voltage (chopped) to make 380V.

**Hood** · 01-02-2021

I think you will need a rotary to power the spindle drive.

**Chaz** · 01-02-2021

Originally Posted by Hood

Should be possible to do the turret via macro I would think.
That is how I have done mine.
Before I bought the control I enquired about getting my turret working and eventually I managed to explain how it worked, Mike kept thinking because it was servo I would need a 3rd axis. Anyway I got a macro, it wouldn't have worked but I was able to see how things were done and thus modify it to work.

A friend is currently putting the SZGH on his Beaver TC15 lathe and I have been helping out with it. His is a servo driven turret and previously I wrote a macro for Mach to work it as the A axis and it worked well. He ordered a 3 axis lathe control and it is a C axis that is used on the SZGH for it. The macro from Mike worked sometimes and other times wouldn't, we tried all sorts of things to get it working consistently but in the end we gave up and I wrote a new macro but with using G90 moves rather than the G91 Mike had used. It seems to be working fine now although he did say he had a fault today for some reason.

Shame about the spindle, do you have 3 phase? If not then maybe a rotary converter would be the easiest/cheapest as I wouldn't imagine it cheap to send the motor/drive back for replacement.

No 3 phase. Focusing funds on the machines and fixing the workshop. Ive got a quote for 3 Phase but not high on my todo list yet but its a pain and compromise unfortunately.

If the motor is fine, getting a new drive might solve it (I'm probably going to be getting another unit from them (2.2 or 3KW spindle for my Bridgeport to take away the standard squirrel cage motor and get more speed / torque) and an IO board for this setup. So adding in the controller might not be too bad.

**Hood** · 01-02-2021

Originally Posted by Neale

.... I don't remember seeing anything about macro programming in the manuals we have - is there a specific manual on this?

There is a macro manual, also a PLC one and also a PLC programme which is handy for looking at the ladder but I found it easier to alter the ladder on the control.

**Chaz** · 01-02-2021

Originally Posted by Hood

There is a macro manual, also a PLC one and also a PLC programme which is handy for looking at the ladder but I found it easier to alter the ladder on the control.

I see some PLC info in the one manual but it doesnt show how to create or similar for Tool Change. Anything you can share please Hood?