Denford Triac Euro Card, 2.1 Eprom or USB Rack card

[m_c]

I've got a complete rack from a 90s VMC sat on the workshop floor just now, and I'm near Edinburgh. It's got a Mint V3.28 eeprom in it.

[Sooty]

damn, that is the same DOS eprom i have already. Trying to get it working on VR5 in order to retain the atc operation. Out of curiosity have you converted your VMC to Mach with a tool changer? What are you looking for the parts?

[m_c]

I thought VR5 had the option to use legacy machines, or does it require the later EEPROM?

Just had a quick look, and it looks like you'll need to configure the machine settings once you've selected the Triac Denstep option. By default, most of the options are not enabled, so you'll need to enable everything that's applicable.

I'm converting mine to Dynomotion's KMotionCNC. As it stands, I need to finish wiring in the tool changer solenoids/sensors, write the required code to make it work, and then do something about making a new control panel. There is a thread on here about it, but I've had a couple other jobs I had to get done, so it's not been updated for a couple weeks.
I'd only be looking for some beer tokens for the old bits. If nobody wants the bits by the time I get the machine fully running, they'll be going in the bin, as I'm trying to avoid gathering piles of obsolete parts.

[Sooty]

It can support the legacy machines but the DOS EEPROMS are below the threshold. The 2.1 EEPROM should will work with the existing card, the L on card seems to mean a coms problem but i cant for the life of me find out what it is! Beer tokens it is, i am determined to make VR Work for me in the short term.. what the value of beer tokens these days lol!

Cant say i have heard of the Dynomotion's KMotionCNC, do they offer a hardware package?

If i have to go down the conversion route i can see me using a pneumatic button release on the drawbar until i figure out the magic of the ATC.

[m_c]

I've just seen your posts over on the Denford forum. I wonder if Denford still have the file for programming the EEPROM, and if they'd be willing to make it public. I'm sure I've read somewhere they no longer have the ability to program them themselves, but I'm sure somebody with a suitable programmer could be found, although new chips may be a problem...

KMotionCNC requires a KFlop, which is Dynomotion's motion controller. I'd like to say retrofitting a Denford was straight forward, but it gets quite involved depending on what you want to achieve.
Once I get mine up and running, you'd be more than welcome to visit.

[Sooty]

I can see ways of copying the EEPROMS with a USB device but its hard to tell if mine will be any good for that purpose. Denford wont release it as long as they can sell people USB upgrades as an alternative.

Will need to look into the KFlop vs Smooth Stepper posts. Is there a uk supplier of the KFlop?

I have converted a few denford machines (in the easy way) but the triac will be a different beastie with the atc. i will probably need to use an ethernet controller with all the inputs that will be required for the ATC, my normal breakout boards dont have nearly enough. Have wanted to get one for a while but cant justify the spend at the moment.

[Chaz]

I can see ways of copying the EEPROMS with a USB device but its hard to tell if mine will be any good for that purpose. Denford wont release it as long as they can sell people USB upgrades as an alternative.

Will need to look into the KFlop vs Smooth Stepper posts. Is there a uk supplier of the KFlop?

I have converted a few denford machines (in the easy way) but the triac will be a different beastie with the atc. i will probably need to use an ethernet controller with all the inputs that will be required for the ATC, my normal breakout boards dont have nearly enough. Have wanted to get one for a while but cant justify the spend at the moment.

Just get a CS Labs IP-S or A device and be done with it. That is what I did.

[m_c]

I have converted a few denford machines (in the easy way) but the triac will be a different beastie with the atc. i will probably need to use an ethernet controller with all the inputs that will be required for the ATC, my normal breakout boards dont have nearly enough. Have wanted to get one for a while but cant justify the spend at the moment.

The ATC isn't that much of a problem. At the basic level, it's just 4 inputs and 3 outputs.
The far bigger problem are the home sensors, as for most controllers you need to change them to newer NPN/PNP type, but I'm sure if you know a bit electronics, you could make up an interface board to convert the NAMUR signal to something more usable.
Plus you need a controller capable of handling the 24V logic, unless you want to drop all the controls to 5V (I really wouldn't recommend that option!).
And just for good measure the carousel index sensor is 5V (I swapped mine to a 24V version).