Re: Fanuc 6T controller picture posted

Hi Fred,

Thanks for the additional pix and comments. The Bandits look like easy
panels to operate. Not too many controls. I didn't see as much "chuck,
spindle etc" controls on it. And with a PC driving the CRT, we'd have a
little more information. Graphics would help, then (like EMC) the XYZ
coordinates would be easier to see. I like seeing the old machines, and
I'd like even better to see them run!

I don't see things like that in the trash around here (Sunnyvale, CA),
nor in the surplus stores.

Best regards,

Alan KM6VV


imserv1 wrote:

>
> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., Alan Marconett KM6VV <KM6VV@a...> wrote:
> > 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)?
>
> It's not a Joystick, but rather a unidirectional jog switch with a
> pushbutton on the tip that starts the motion in the selected direction
>
> The big round silver knob is for positioning and moves the X or Z
> axis + and -, which ever is selected on the rotary job selector.
>
> > 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!).
>
> This machine is in perfect working order, keeping my fingers crossed.
>
> > 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.
> >
>
> I put up some more pictures from Fred's Museum of Antique CNC
> controllers. same link, http://www.imsrv.com/images
>
> The Fanuc 5T is just a year or 2 older. The 6T was a major
> technology step forward because of the CRT instead of the LED strip.
> The 5T had an obsolete form of CMOS memory that went out of
> production making it harder and harder to keep them running. Mine
> runs off a BTR only as the memory chips are blown and replacements
> are nearly impossible to find. Controls not visible on the
> operator's panel are the air actuated chuck open and close buttons on
> top of the machine. This machine was very cryptic to operate due to
> the fact that the program could only be viewed one block at a time.
> The LED's along the top strip indicated the Word G M S, etc, and the
> value would be shown in the strip below ( +/- 6 digit number, 4 place
> decimal, Decimal not shown). This is not a good one to emulate for
> user friendliness, but the actual controls, once the editing was
> behind were not too bad.
>
> The Bandit Mill is a machine that I sold on ebay a couple of years
> ago. It is about 1982-5 vintage, a retrofit package.It belonged to
> one of my customers and was their "first" CNC in a long established
> manual tooling/engineering shop. They kept it many years after they
> had switched to high speed Kitamura machines because of the
> sentimental value. ;-)
>
> The AB8400 says Bandit IV because AllenBradley bought out the Bandit
> line and used the trademark on their own designs. It is nothing like
> the older Bandit 1-3. In fact it programs almost identical to EMC,
> which is in part based on Allen Bradley. This conrol is a Pendant
> that extends over the top of the enclosed machining area out to the
> operator. Controls not shown are the tool release button on the left
> side, and the Spindle CW, CCW, and Stop and Coolant ON/OFF switches
> on the right side of Pendant. There is an AB clam shell PLC computer
> in the relay panel. Larry VanDuyn was lucky enough (I think) to find
> a NEW one of these and retrofitted it to a Bridgeport BTC. He is
> more ambitious than me. I just push the buttons and make parts. ;-)
> The AB8400 is about a 1989-1990 era machine. Note that there are a
> lot fewer buttons and switches. This is a very complicated machine
> with an automatic 24 slot, tool changer, 10HP 8000 RPM spindle, rigid
> tapping, etc. The little brown chicklet buttons along the right side
> of the screen serve as soft keys. Instead of touch screen, the key
> labels are shown on the CRT and the button is then activated for that
> function. Very similar to the function keys on a PC keyboard.
>
> > 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 think you will find them in the trash every day. The old GE550,
> 1050 and similar vintage controllers all had heavy duty switches and
> controls. Owners have to pay the trash man to haul them away.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Fred Smith
> IMService