Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Vanguard 3000 engraver retrofit

Darrell,
I finally found a little time here to think about this. I do not know very
much but as I mentioned, I spent some time wrestling with the NH machines.

First off, I have been looking for an Engraver to retro myself. I would be
able to use the copy of Indexer LPT that is laying around here on it. I assume
you have the old "cartridge" style machine. It would be really great if you
can get the electronic schematic from NewHermes for this machine because there
really is no reason to swap out any of the drive components. The machine
originally had plenty of power for what it was designed to do. What you need
to do is what Ballendo indicated he did once, and that is just find a way to
introduce Step and Direction Signals from a NEW source. I worked with the
newer EP module machines. They always came with a full schematic and the right
guy could "cut in" in the right spot.

Hopefully they offered a diagram back then. The world of Computerized
Engraving was "Top Secret" at that time so who knows.

I remembered the name of one company in particualar who was at all of the
trade shows, offering retro controls for these older machines. Their "hype"
was that they could import more formats from external sources and actually
make these machines do what an individual wanted but was restricted from
doing. To my Suprise, they still exist. Solustan:
http://www.solustan.com/home.html Famous for MaxMotion. The others like
Western engravers probably will sell you a control but you would likely be
replacing everything except the motors.

I would tend to try to apply one of the Controls that are mentioned on this
NG. But you may be able to at least learn something from Solustan.

Sounds like you are on the right track though. You have already recognized
that you might at the very least be able to use the power supply and just get
new drivers and control software.
I would sure exhaust all options trying to run with the existing drivers
first.

Please keep us posted as to how it turns out. Take your control boards to the
smartest electronics person you know, maybe he can determine the dividing
point.

I look forward to having one running sometime this year. I noticed that even
the very old machines draw a pretty good crowd on E-Bay, making them a bit
pricey. I hope to fall into a broken one.

Alan's Dahlgren will be about the same type of project. Alan need not lose any
sleep over that Non-Motorized Z axis. Most of todays S&D controls can handle
that Selenoid, or Air operated Z axis just fine. You just won't be able to
enjoy any full 3d work with it.

Chris L

Darrell Daniels wrote:

> Chris, here is my original message, you and Ballendo have been the only
> replies so far:
> Hi, I was going to build a CNC router from surplus parts as a learning
> project for the CNC hobby but I've inherited a fully functional Vanguard
> 3000 engraver manufactured by New Hermes in around 89, the controller
> and software are pretty archaic so I want to retrofit it to use a modern
> PC with either windows software or EMC, it has Sanyo Denki motors.
> Anyone have schematics on this guy? I've already emailed new hermes for
> a manual but I dont expect a response until after the holidays so Ill
> start ohming it out and drawing my own until (or if) I can find a
> manual.
> The power supply is a separate card in the controller box so I am hoping
> I can just build a new enclosure for it to keep from buying a power
> supply.
> If I can use the existing power supply I am thinking all I will need is
> some motor controllers, the software and the knowledge of breaking out
> the parallel port which I've found on the web already. Am I on the right
> path here?
> Any recommendations on software or any pitfalls I might encounter? Seems
> like a good project to learn the basics of motor wiring and control. My
> planned path of progression is to do this first, then build my router to
> tie in the mechanical movement design knowledge, then a plasma gantry.
> Thanks in advance for any help you guys can provide.
> Darrell
>
> Addresses:
> FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
> FILES: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/files/
>
> Post messages: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
> Subscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
> Unsubscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> List owner: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-owner@yahoogroups.com, wanliker@...
> Moderator: jmelson@... timg@... [Moderator]
> URL to this page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO
> bill,
> List Manager
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/