Over a month has now passed, and the project is now starting to show some progress. The router has a NUM controller which although built in 1999 runs with windows 95. I have fitted a blanking plate to cover the hole where the original flat screen monitor had been and attached a larger flat screen which has been laying about for years (I knew it would come in handy some day). The old computer that came with the machine was connected up, along with the compressed air and the system was powered up. Oh dear!!! - nothing happened other than a few fault codes showing on the screen, the most serious being
INVERTER NOT OK. Ever the optimist I hoped it would be an estop problem (INV. not OK is the standard default when the drives do not power up). At this stage I invited an electrical Guru (Terry) to help. Further investigation showed that the spindle inverter was showing an EOC Over current), even with the spindle disconnected. Once removed I took the inverter (KEB F4) to KEB at Wellingborough to be tested. Yes youv'e guessed it - unit faulty and discontinued - cheaper to buy a new
KEB F5 inverter. KEB most helpful, transferred the old parameters to the new unit and gave me new correlation table for the connections. 23 connections and not two the same!!! Inverter fitted, drives powered up, looking good for next days progress?
Next morning machine won't power up - no LEDS in cabinet that usually looks like Blackpool illuminations. Seimens 24v power supply failure. New PS purchased (not Seimens) and installed. Machine now powers up drives are on machine references and spindle runs so starting to look promising. A couple of days trying to learn the controller operation and the machine will now jog all axis and the manual toolchange works OK (pneumatic). Found an old program (bed skim) on the computer, loaded it and "HURRAY", it runs. So far all work has been carried out with no cutting tool fitted for safety reasons.
Still a few jobs to do. A new gas strut is required for the Z axis counter balance, I intend to replace most of the pneumatic tubing and connectors and I must learn how to input my own programs into the controller. Sorry if this seems longwinded. G.