Re: speaking of Hardinge

Hi KJ

(comments mixed in)

>    From: "kje_67" <kjax@...>
> Subject: speaking of Hardinge
>
> Really, really new to the world of CNC, machining, and building
> circuits. Although, I have quite a bit of experience with
> linux/solaris/cisco software and hardware. Mainly system admin type
> stuff- installation, maintenance, configuring, tuning, monitoring,
> etc.

You should be comfortable with the EMC.

> I've been pouring over the EMC mail list archive, this list, and
> whatever else that looks useful. Currently have an opportunity to
> possibly retrofit a couple of machines. Assuming I conclude that I
> can actually pull it off... heh.
>
> Currently looking at putting EMC to work on a Hardinge HC with
> their 'Bandit 1' controller (dead). Has Baldor DC servos on the X and
> Y axis. Another small unknown DC motor on the tool changer, and I
> don't know what on Z- didn't look. Still don't know much about this
> machine.

The biggest problem will be the PLC part of the machine. Motion would be
almost trivial. You could have it moving in a few hours. The good news
is that you can bypass a lot of the initial external PLC powered stuff
and work out this aux logic as you get a chance.

> Also have a Strippit 38 station turret punch (51/30). So many
> inputs... something like 50+. Industrial Drives DC brushless motors
> with their amps, and BEI Motion Systems H25 encoders. 1970's era
> machine.

I looked at fitting one of these that had a GE 1050 control. The biggest
problem that I saw was that you'd have to write all of your own routines
to handle setting and rotating the tooling.

> Assuming I can somehow understand all this stuff- tyring to figure
> out how to get the Hardinge up and running, I'd like to do the EMC
> thing with the Strippit. However, it doesn't appear anyone has done
> this before. (?) A CNC punch, that is. Further, it appears that I
> might have a problem using EMC, anyway- missing codes from the
> interpreter.

Missing in the sense that the EMC interpreter wasn't written specifically
for a punch press. It will handle most any motion that you could
imagine. It would be very difficult to conform the EMC interpreter to
take a stock punch press file and run it. However, it is possible to
write a post processor that would convert a Strippit program to the
interpreter that is currently available with the EMC. I do know of one
setup that is using some angular geometry broaches to clean out corners.
This machine would be more complex but the idea is similar.

What I'd do to get my head around the problem is take a bit of an
existing punch press program that you have numbers on the tooling
geometry and figure out how to translate it into a basic g-code program
that could do the same thing.

> It's actually the Strippit that was the motivator for
> digging into retrofitting CNC equipment, but I have since decided
> that I'd be happy just to be successful in getting the Hardinge up
> and running. The Strippit is still operational, using a Northern
> Control Systems MTC-1000v2 controller. I have just about all the
> documentation one could one want on it, but I'm not much of a
> programmer, so I think this one might fall by the way side.
>
> There's also an Okada end mill with a Fanuc 6M in the shop, but I
> think I'd leave that alone.

The Fanuc 6M is a strong controller. I've got a couple that I still
service and wouldn't replace if I hand the chance.

> Anyway, I saw the Hardinge thread, so I thought I'd pipe up.

Good. Keep thinking.

Ray