Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] CNC Lathe Retro-Fit

> Has anyone had any experience with Microkinetics? I am thinking
> about a retro on a 10" Atlas lathe. I would like some feedback from
> a user before I spend $$$$$$.
> Dave
>

I bought a Driverack system last year and have had much trouble with it.
Burned up wires, one bad driver amp, case damaged in shipment (sent it back
three times). All three motors were bad and had to be replaced.
The control software has a nice interface but does not use ramping in jog
mode, making it virtually useless with NEMA 42 motors. Their software must
be used with their controller card and they are $350 each. Also, the
profiler is prone to cause vibration problems in large motors due to poor
pulse timing.

Most of the problems I experienced were singular to high power
configurations. However, you can get CNCPro software for half the price of
MK Millmaster software and you won't need a special card to run it. I
switched to CNCPro and performance improved substantially.

In all fairness, Microkinetics has good customer service. However, you
would get more for your money with Gecko drivers and CNCPro. Power supplies
can be purchased from Mouser or Digikey. I'm looking for a more cost
effective source for them now. Jon Elson is working on an interface board
that will tie it all together and I plan to document/video the assembly of
the complete system for public domain.

CNCPro is intended for milling applications, though I don't see why it can't
be used for a lathe. We might even con Doug Yeager into adding lathe
features if a market exists.

Doug