Hardinge Lathe CNC Retrofit/Conversion

[Fairmount]

Hi Chaz

I am really interested in understanding the kit you have used to upgrade these really good but slow and unreliable machines.

I have had about 5 CHNCs over the years, cannibalising the old AB controls to keep just one running.

I know have one in the graveyard and one that is a really good condition machine with a dead AB control that I really have given up on.

I have been looking to buy the Centroid upgrade kit but it is so difficult thinking about spending such a lot of money on what is a very old machine.

The problem I have is that I like the precision and the 5c collets and the special collects I have developed for various jobs.

I can't justify buying a new CNC (I have a 1988 Mazak QT15N for the bigger, faster work).

I don't run my machines on a 24/7 basis - they owe me nothing and I just use them when I need to make various components for my products we sell.

So seeing that someone so recently is doing exactly what I would love to do has prompted me to join the forum and ask if you can share your experience so that I might have another look at doing the same to save my old but loved CHNC.

Look forward to hearing from you,

Paul

[Chaz]

Hi Chaz

I am really interested in understanding the kit you have used to upgrade these really good but slow and unreliable machines.

I have had about 5 CHNCs over the years, cannibalising the old AB controls to keep just one running.

I know have one in the graveyard and one that is a really good condition machine with a dead AB control that I really have given up on.

I have been looking to buy the Centroid upgrade kit but it is so difficult thinking about spending such a lot of money on what is a very old machine.

The problem I have is that I like the precision and the 5c collets and the special collects I have developed for various jobs.

I can't justify buying a new CNC (I have a 1988 Mazak QT15N for the bigger, faster work).

I don't run my machines on a 24/7 basis - they owe me nothing and I just use them when I need to make various components for my products we sell.

So seeing that someone so recently is doing exactly what I would love to do has prompted me to join the forum and ask if you can share your experience so that I might have another look at doing the same to save my old but loved CHNC.

Look forward to hearing from you,

Paul

Hi Paul

Indeed, good machines once you can get rid of the old controllers (like many things). A lot of detail to consider, should I just PM you my number? Easier to talk through however in summary, I'd probably do the same again if I needed to. Once you understand these 'not pc controlled' controllers, they are fairly straight forward.

A key question however is then if you are replacing everything such as motors and how much of the original interlocking do you need (for example, I can have door alarms etc) however if I want to have a condition such as the spindle lock being detected to stop the spindle running, that needs some coding / considering.

Charl

[Fairmount]

Hi Paul

Indeed, good machines once you can get rid of the old controllers (like many things). A lot of detail to consider, should I just PM you my number? Easier to talk through however in summary, I'd probably do the same again if I needed to. Once you understand these 'not pc controlled' controllers, they are fairly straight forward.

A key question however is then if you are replacing everything such as motors and how much of the original interlocking do you need (for example, I can have door alarms etc) however if I want to have a condition such as the spindle lock being detected to stop the spindle running, that needs some coding / considering.

Charl

Hi Chaz

Yes please - I would like to chat this through.

01763263415

[email protected]