Re: Taig CNC mill .......and Emco

Hi Jim & "the list",

Ouch! That's a hard way to upgrade software. I see why older products
had limitations in cutting circles; I.E., limiting to 90 deg. The
motors have to change directions at each quadrant. Better processors
available now, EASY do do full circles with one command, IMO.

Save your boards! At that price, anyway! Too bad there's not something
that could be done with them. I looked at the new (?) EMCO site, very
flashy! Looks like your compact 5 CNC had an operator's panel. That
explains the "canned" controller program.

Have you seen a good pix of the stepper mounts on the C5? I need to do
some thinking. But I'm not sure *I* could operate this lathe with only
CNC. But after running the mill for a while with CNC, it might not be
so bad. I *AM* interested in DRO's, as I mentioned before. THAT would
help.

Thanks for the additional information.

Alan KM6VV

Alison & Jim Gregg wrote:

>
> Hi Alan and list.
> The point of changing the board was in each case to UPGRADE the software!
> The earlier versions had all sorts of stupid limitations, eg G02 and G03
> would only give a complete quadrant, not any part of a circular cut less
> than 90deg. and a few others too. The new board is a direct sale - no
> exchange.
>
> The cross slide stepper is mounted on the front of the cross slide, and
> drives the screw via a toothed timing belt. The longitudinal one is the
> same. These machines do not have handwheels, only a push button jog
> feature on both axes.
>
> >From memory it uses standard European stepper driver chips, and I think the
> motion control is in software in the ROM.
>
> Note I am talking about the self contained machine here - I believe they
> did do a version which interfaced with a PC. Mine only has a standard
> serial port to permit downloading programs into it, and even that uses a
> non standard connector which is very hard to get hold of!
>
> Jim Gregg
> At 01:46 PM 2/20/01 -0800, you wrote:
> >Jim,
> >
> >I just have the EMCO 5" lathe, no CNC on it yet ;>) By "whole board",
> >do you mean the controller program? That's interesting. What
> >processor? Any "custom" motion control chips? Sorry I don't have any
> >schematics or documentation. Wow, for 1800, I'd suspect you could get
> >stepper drivers (assuming steppers), controller software and a power
> >supply! Might be a thought before the NEXT board replacement. By the
> >way, did you have to send the old board back for exchange? For that
> >much, I think I'd see if I could fix it!
> >
> >I WOULD be interested to see exactly how they mounted the cross slide
> >stepper motor. The other one would be easy enough. DRO's are another
> >thought. Encoders, a PIC, and a LCD.
> >
> >Alan KM6VV
> >
> >Alison & Jim Gregg wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi all.
> >>
> >> One of the scary things about the EMCO lathes (the CNC 5 ) is that all the
> >> software is in ROM in the main board - and EMCO worked by replacing the
> >> whole board for updates - at about $1800 a throw - I've done two.
> >>
> >> By the way I'm still trying to get hold of either copies or original
> >> service manual for the CNC 5 with the electronics circuit diagrams. any
> >> help out there please?
> >>
> >> Jim Gregg
> >>
> >> At 04:58 PM 2/19/01 -0800, you wrote:
> >> >Chris,
> >> >
> >> >No clue on the FB100 mills. It the plugs are compatible, I'd suggest
> >> >swapping motors, drivers, etc. BUT... if they are blowing the fets, not
> >> >a good idea! 5 phase vextra motors? NEMA 23's? I know what I'D DO,
> >> >goto to Camtronics and set them up for bipolar steppers and new
> >> >drivers. And probably opt for CNCpro.
> >> >
> >> >The "damp environment" is a little scary, corrosion on connectors? rust
> >> >on ways??
> >> >
> >> >Alan KM6VV
> >> >P.S. What does an FB100 look like? Are they still available??
> >> >
> >>
> >
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