Turning centre retrofit help/project on a Mazak/Yamazaki

[spluppit]

Gentlemen, many thanks for the replies.

Firstly Tom,

This is the great shame about machines of this nature. These machines being old were really built to last, unlike the modern cnc's which are now considered disposable. The carcase of this thing is really very good indeed, plus the maker of this particular machine is renowned for being the best in the world. Its actually a Mazak, back in those days sold under the name of Yamazaki, Yamazaki being the actual producing co of the machines.

Things like the the bar feed, tail stock, and chuck are run from M codes, which i understand are all included in the PC type controls mach 3 etc. My understanding is they are there to be used, but its down to you if you want to actually use them, often for the home build they are not required. I'm not sure on the tool turret though as when programmed you use an T number. T01= tool 1. T02 = tool 2 and so forth. My understanding is all PC home build software are only using all the generic G and M codes invented donkeys years ago. The thing is a lot of the systems are there in the machine and wired up, spindle controller, relay circuit for the tail stock, chuck, servos, limit switches etc. Its a matter of knowing if those existing systems can be integrated into modern software/ hardware.and the correct signals sent. These are the things i do not know, due to being a total numpty.


This is the hard part as you correctly say, 'shaking this electronic idiot tag.' Don't get me wrong, I understand the basic principles of how it all works. For instance: Servo driver card controls the current inputs to the servo, which then moves, the encoder reads the position, sends signals back to the control so it knows where it is and what its doing, but this is where it ends! I understand a signal has to be applied somewhere to make an action happen, After that i pass out!
I have tried researching as mentioned, but its very difficult with this sort of thing there really is no information out there, set out in the simpletons terms i need. Its all related to people that have x knowledge to start with, so trying to read jargon and terminology that means nothing to me, It's tricky. As always having someone to show you the ropes makes life much more tolerable. It's exactly why i have made an offer for someone who has a lot more understanding than myself.

I have taken an hour look at that EMC a lot i understand with the actual control side as its familiar being standard G code, but the technical side of the actual software itself, as you say double dutch!


Secondly Robin,

The machine was known as a NC machine, NC being paper tape reading machines. How it works is the machine reads punched paper tape, different configurations of holes on the tape represent x command. So you stuffed this tape into the reader, it reads the tape and then holds the program in memory ready for use. You can see the tape reader panel cover in the 1st and 4th pics on the left hand side, its the darkened perspex panel.

This is where it gets confusing! You can still manually program the machine via the key pad. So if you loaded a program via punched tape and it had errors upon dry running the program, you can go into the program at the control panel and edit the program for use. You can totally program the machine at the machine control panel also. I have never used the punch tape, I have always programed the machine at the control panel.

It does have a coms port, I believe its a rs 232 or something, so it can be linked up to a PC, configuring might be another matter. I did look into this, speaking to the machine maker. The info i had was it can be used to dnc/ upload/ download etc.


Thirdly Wobblybootie,

Thanks for your input. I have gone and had a look at that software, I didn't even know it existed. I'm still none the wiser of the route i should take.


Kind regards,


Scott