CAD CAM EDM DRO - Yahoo Group Archive

emco maier startup problems

Posted by Spencer Chase
on 2002-02-02 21:15:43 UTC
Doug

Any chance you can e-mail me directly so we can avoid boring the group?
Also could I call you? I am spencer@...

Yes is is the M1 control.

I was referring to the axis controller of which there is just one. It is
not the stepper controller with the fan and the status lights. There are
three of these for the x y and z. There is no room for any more but there
are three spaces for small cards which is one of the reasons I thought the
axis controllers might be missing. All status lights on the stepper
controllers and all others are what they should be according to the chart
on the fan back except for the alarm indicator on the computer card which
lights along with the front panel and crt display.

How do you "home" the machine? I assumed that you just get it where you
want it and press ref. But I can't get it anywhere but where it is.

I am sure the battery was discharged and the params lost. This machine was
an unused demo and was probably not plugged in for years. I saw the nicad
pack that says 3.6 volts at something minimal like 50 mah. I am sure I can
find something in an electronics catalog or maybe even use a battery for a
portable phone and pigtail it in. If the params are lost I guess I need to
reload them some how. I assume that they can be loaded from tape or the
rs232. I have a tape that came with it taped inside and maybe that is what
it is. But of course I can not get the tape to work just the same as
everything else waiting for the alarm to clear.

The error 780 is "safety lock active" I can not find anything that looks
like a manual switch lock and the shield switch seems to be working but I
have not tested it electrically. Maybe it is just a dirty contact. I sure
would like to have a schematic for the thing.

If it needs the machine setup to run I can probably not go any farther
without it.

If I clear the 460 and then press reference I get the safety lock alarm. I
do not have a "run" switch anywhere on the machine. Lots of other switches.

I really need a manual and hope I can get the seller to find the right one
or give me the money for it if it is expensive. It was supposed to be
included and not just some random stuff for the lathe and I think I paid a
very high price for a machine that is not complete.

Did these things ship with a full set of tool holders or is it normal to
have just one and to have to buy the rest? They don't look expensive but
who knows.

My guess on the stepper controllers is that they fry their fets or scrs or
whatever switches they have. I have had this same problem with other
equipment of similar vintage. At that time power switches were very
expensive and manufacturers tended to not over design by much. Now you can
get plug compatible ones that are 4 time the current rating for a tenth the
price. In many devices they can go cleanly without damaging other
components but of course that depends on the design of the circuit. I was
asking about this before because it might be nice to replace them while the
thing is new and not risk damaging the rest of the $600 board.

Does look like on hell of a machine. I guess if it can stand up to school
use it has to be.

Spencer


Spencer Chase
http://www.SpencersErolls.com

Discussion Thread

Spencer Chase 2002-02-02 21:15:43 UTC emco maier startup problems