Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] PC Control Upgrade

brittevalivie@... wrote:

> Hello All:
> I am new to this newsgroup and had a question on fitting my Cnc
> lathe with a PC control. I did a search on the old posts and it seems
> most retrofits are referring to hobbiest type projects. I have a
> rather large machine(LEBLONDE KNIGHT 10)which is all but outdated,and
> the control seems to have bitten the dust.Would it be possible to
> convert to a PC control? Could I use my existing servos and encoders?

Yes, definitely. If your servo amps are still good, you can save a bundle.

>
> Is threading a possibility? I'm not sure I'd be too interested if
> threading is not possible as I plan to use the machine as a start in
> my home business,and need threading capabilities.

This seems to be a problem. there are apparently 2 people that have
gotten the threading routines working, and other say it doesn't work.
We are trying to get details of how those fellows got it to work.

> Is it possible to
> use the existing control functions somehow with my computer?

I'm not sure what you mean by existing control functions. If you mean
coolant on/off, spindle start/stop, etc. that is pretty easy. If you mean a

tool turret, it can be done, but it has not been made an easy part of the
package yet.

For the interfacing, you can use a servo-to-go card, or my parallel port
axis control, see http://pico-systems.com/PPMC.html

Jon