Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Fanuc 6T controller picture posted

Hi Fred,

Thanks for the pix and comments. This control panel is nice! I get the
gist of it, That's a joystick for moves, and an encoder dial (handle)?
The keypad would not be hard to interface to. the remainder of the
sw's, pots (?) also do-able. But it would be a major effort to do the
interface and control job (and a shame, if it's already working!). It
would be useful to run and study a machine such as this; then one (I)
would perhaps have a better idea of what controls were necessary and
wanted by the operators.

You're right, a hobby controller couldn't replace this! And with all
the machines being considerably different from each other, it would be a
difficult task indeed to be able to address all the I/O. $5K? Are
control panels (and schematics) like this available surplus (wouldn't
need the CPU)? I have no solutions (not that my controller is up to
anything near the task anyway)! But it would be something to look at.
I DO have a mill that needs CNC!

A possibility would be to define a set of generic "controls" and a I/O
board to interface it with. Sort of like a "tool kit" for the spindle,
chuck, alarms, jog's, etc. Like National does for I/O acquisition
interfaces.

I'm thinking that a way to start (me) would be to find a shop class, and
a local CNC shop looking for an apprentice(?). Or possibly a trade of
skills. humm...

Alan KM6VV
(now all I need is time, money, space, and time!)


IMService wrote:

>
> Alan this is a link to pictures of my General Numeric GN6a control panel. This is identical to a Fanuc 6T. And has Fanuc manuals.
>
> There are 2 pictures. One at hi res and one at lo. The lo gives you a feel for the switch layout and the hi shows enough detail to see the legends and you can also read the CRT display.
>
> http://www.imsrv.com/images
>
> This is a lathe controller. The machine is an Hitachi-Seiki 3NE300. It has a hydraulic actuated chuck (6 inch) or 5C collet, a programmable quill, hydraulic tailstock, and a 12 position, turret tool changer. There is a tape reader, but I don't use it as it has an RS232 interface (to Vector of course). It has single point threading, contour roughing cycles, and supports tool nose compensation ( cutter comp).
>
> Note the extensive use of toggle switches and multi position rotary function switches. This machine rapids at 400 inches per minute, and it has a rapid slowdown switch (5%-25%-100%) to allow the setup man to do his job without having a heart attack. There is no spindle speed override, but there is feedrate override. Note the BIG E-stop right by the door.
>
> The machine was built in 1979, and is in mint condition. I took the photos this morning. On a final note, anyone who thinks they should retrofit a machine like this with a hobby class controller should seriously reconsider .... their sanity. I have seen similar machines sold on ebay for less than $5,000.
>
> Best Regards, Fred Smith- IMService