Poorly N sick Fadal 15 VMC Will live again!

[JAZZCNC]

I'll be interested to see how this works out. In the meantime, I've taken a look at the 1000MDC manual and it is recognisable in general format but does at least look a bit more readable than what I was up against with the 990. However, there will still be some learning to be done while you get your head around how it is organised and what some of the Chinglish words actually mean. It's good to know you have a responsive team at SZGH - hopefully extending beyond the pre-sale period. This should be a fine machine when it's done!

Yes I've done a lot of researching and looking around at these and all the other controllers and all the feed back relating to SZGH was mostly positive. The manual I have here is probably the best Chinese manual I've seen, I've been dealing with the Chinese a long time so I'm very fluent in Chinglish and to be fair I've got an ABB VFD manual here that is harder to read than this, mostly because it's overly technical.!! . . .There's nothing in it I don't understand in principle then I'm hoping it's just a case of feeling my way around the controller learning what's what.!

Regards the Service then it's out standing so far. Just today they set up a direct What's App link with the engineer who is setting up and dealing with the whole project.
He's asking me about the ATC so that is all setup and it will just be a case of tweaking timings, position parameters etc and now I've thrown the rotary 4Th axis in to the mix as well he'll be setting that up as well.
None of this was any trouble He's offering good advise regards the Servo spindle, asking for pictures of the machine to get a feel for the conversion etc.
I asked for the Key way to made to match the existing pully which to be fair I thought was a little skinny at 6.35mm(1/4") given the power and he's suggested unprompted not to do that because this new spindle is more powerful with higher speed so go with standard 10mm key way and I agree.

From my dealings so far I don't think they will ignore any questions regards after sale and while I fully expect to have reasonably large learning curve and possibly the odd head bashing session I'm quite happy and reassured so far that it will work out ok... Time will tell.??

[JAZZCNC]

Another small update: After further investigation of the 4th axis it seems I can remove the DC motor and replace with an absolute AC Servo to match the others, only 750W instead of 1.5Kw.

The old motor was a round flange type and the new ones are square but it's simply case of drilling a few more holes and tapping into to the existing plate. There is a seal on the plate that motor shaft goes thru and the pinion gear clamps onto the shaft using a collet type system. SZGH are making the shaft to fit the seal and pinion.

So when done it will back to all it's glory using the factory fitted 4th axis slimmed down with a nice shiny new controller, some extra grunt in the motors and spindle.!!! . . . . Well that's the dream anyway so lets see what reality delivers...

[Colin Barron]

Another small update: After further investigation of the 4th axis it seems I can remove the DC motor and replace with an absolute AC Servo to match the others, only 750W instead of 1.5Kw.

The old motor was a round flange type and the new ones are square but it's simply case of drilling a few more holes and tapping into to the existing plate. There is a seal on the plate that motor shaft goes thru and the pinion gear clamps onto the shaft using a collet type system. SZGH are making the shaft to fit the seal and pinion.

So when done it will back to all it's glory using the factory fitted 4th axis slimmed down with a nice shiny new controller, some extra grunt in the motors and spindle.!!! . . . . Well that's the dream anyway so lets see what reality delivers...

Hi, did you look at the GSK controllers that are more expensive but appear to be the make that is copied by the rest of the market? It is comforting to hear SZGH are helpful.

[JAZZCNC]

Hi, did you look at the GSK controllers that are more expensive but appear to be the make that is copied by the rest of the market? It is comforting to hear SZGH are helpful.

Yes Colin I did. I've looked at all the main controllers from China and Taiwan and just for fun n giggles some of the well-known brands like Siemens.

I contacted GSK directly asking questions and requesting manuals also a quote or the name of a supplier but didn't get a reply. So contacted a third party supplier who gave me a quote that was 3x the price of SZGH, couldn't answer my questions and sent me the manual for Lathe controller.!. . .

SZGH has been fantastic so far. Virtually instant reply's (within their working hours) both with Girl who is supervising the order and the engineer. Should see it go out the door this week so hopefully not that long before lands at my door..

[Colin Barron]

Yes I've done a lot of researching and looking around at these and all the other controllers and all the feed back relating to SZGH was mostly positive. The manual I have here is probably the best Chinese manual I've seen, I've been dealing with the Chinese a long time so I'm very fluent in Chinglish and to be fair I've got an ABB VFD manual here that is harder to read than this, mostly because it's overly technical.!! . . .There's nothing in it I don't understand in principle then I'm hoping it's just a case of feeling my way around the controller learning what's what.!

Regards the Service then it's out standing so far. Just today they set up a direct What's App link with the engineer who is setting up and dealing with the whole project.
He's asking me about the ATC so that is all setup and it will just be a case of tweaking timings, position parameters etc and now I've thrown the rotary 4Th axis in to the mix as well he'll be setting that up as well.
None of this was any trouble He's offering good advise regards the Servo spindle, asking for pictures of the machine to get a feel for the conversion etc.
I asked for the Key way to made to match the existing pully which to be fair I thought was a little skinny at 6.35mm(1/4") given the power and he's suggested unprompted not to do that because this new spindle is more powerful with higher speed so go with standard 10mm key way and I agree.

From my dealings so far I don't think they will ignore any questions regards after sale and while I fully expect to have reasonably large learning curve and possibly the odd head bashing session I'm quite happy and reassured so far that it will work out ok... Time will tell.??

I think the main thing would be to blue the shaft to check the angles on the shaft and pulley are the same (assuming the pulley is tapered). SZGH are keen for business as you say, usually same or next day for information or quotes.

[JAZZCNC]

I think the main thing would be to blue the shaft to check the angles on the shaft and pulley are the same (assuming the pulley is tapered).

I already checked this before ordering and the pulley isn't tapered, neither is the shaft.

[Colin Barron]

I am in the process of buying a controller similar to the on you have purchased, but mine will be for a lathe and use stepper drives.
When i asked Eileen about panel c with the MPG she said it could not be used at the same time as the hand MPG. I tried to rephrase it but got the same reply.
Did you confirm that there was some way the hand MPG option could be used? Is it possible to buy a machine cabinet socket to connect to the panel, and plug the mpg into that socket?
Thanks
Colin

[JAZZCNC]

I am in the process of buying a controller similar to the on you have purchased, but mine will be for a lathe and use stepper drives.
When i asked Eileen about panel c with the MPG she said it could not be used at the same time as the hand MPG. I tried to rephrase it but got the same reply.
Did you confirm that there was some way the hand MPG option could be used? Is it possible to buy a machine cabinet socket to connect to the panel, and plug the mpg into that socket?
Thanks
Colin

Hi Colin,

My Manual says it can use Both at the same time but I've not tried it yet and it may be different for Lathe.? I've just set the controller up on the bench and I'll be posting a vid soon and then will post more as I get time.
I'll try to find time to plug the pendant and test it for you.

Regards the Mains Voltage on the Front panel you mentioned in your PM (sorry i forgot to reply) there isn't any mains voltage on the panel other than the 24V psu. The Start/stop buttons are not connected to anything and I will using these to control contactors etc with 24Vdc so No mains voltage will be on the panel.

[JAZZCNC]

Just a quick update Vid of it on the bench for testing. If people are interested I'll post more Vids.

[Colin Barron]

Hi Colin,

My Manual says it can use Both at the same time but I've not tried it yet and it may be different for Lathe.? I've just set the controller up on the bench and I'll be posting a vid soon and then will post more as I get time.
I'll try to find time to plug the pendant and test it for you.

Regards the Mains Voltage on the Front panel you mentioned in your PM (sorry i forgot to reply) there isn't any mains voltage on the panel other than the 24V psu. The Start/stop buttons are not connected to anything and I will using these to control contactors etc with 24Vdc so No mains voltage will be on the panel.

Hi, i should have realised that the panel is 24v, he must have been referring to other machine buttons. I asked the question again about the MPG and as you say it can be used. Very interesting setup video.
Thanks
Colin