Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Opinions wanted on Monarch VMC 45 with GE Fanuc 11 controls. Retrofit ?

krlux wrote:

> Subject: Opinions wanted on Monarch VMC 45 with GE Fanuc 11 controls. Retrofit ?
>
> Hi people.
>
> I don't know if this is off topic or not. Let me know if it is.
>
> We are interested in purchasing a small, used Vertical Machining Center for the mass production of a bunch of small parts. One of the more interesting machines we have seen is the Monarch VMC45. I'd be interested in hearing about a better make/model if someone knows of one. The other machine that interests us is a Myford Mycenter #1.
>
> Does anyone in this group have personal experience with a VMC 45 ?
>
> This will be our first CNC purchase. I am a pretty good manual machinist and I have a background with controls and computers, so I am not too frightened by CNC in general. However, I don't know anything about the GE Fanuc 11 CNC controller. What does it use for memory ? (1990 vintage). Does it have an RS232 port to upload programs to ?
>
> If we needed to, could we ditch the GE control system and retrofit with Linux EMC ??? I don't think the X,Y,Z axes would be a problem, but this machine has a tool changer AND dual pallets.
>
> I'd also appreciate some pointers on what to look for/watch out for with a used CNC machine.

I can't really help with specifics on this machine. As for what
to look out for, if you plan to use the existing control, is that
you get COMPLETE manuals for the control, schematics for
the configuring of the control to the machine, diagnostic tapes
or disks, executive tapes or disks, custom parameter lists,
and any other special info needed to make it all work.
If you can't get ALL of this info, it severely limits your ability
to work on the control yourself. the last thing you want to have
happen is one month after installing the machine, the control
croaks and you have to face a $3500+ service call!

One other trick is they come out and say your control is obsolete
and no longer supported by service, and you end up having to
replace the guts of the control for $6000+, THEN pay for the
replacement parts to fix the original problem!

If you still like the machine iron itself, but can't get all the items
listed above, you can discount the price assuming that the
control won't be used, and see if the seller will accept it.

Watch out for the mindset of planning to run it on the original control
until it breaks, and then being stuck for serious repairs because
you have jobs riding on getting it running pronto.

Jon