Denford CNC Lathe, HELP PLEASE

Dear All,

I have recently acquired two identical Denford CNC lathes with ORAC
controls. Trouble is the main spindle drives are missing and there
are apparently faults with the ORAC (however they power up of a
fashion). I am told there may be other bits missing but don't know
which. The machines are from 1983, they use stepper motor drives
without encoders and a three-phase motor with a rudimentary encoder
for the main spindle. Apparently, all the mechanics and motors are OK.

I am desparate to find any documentation which may help me restoring
the machines, i.e. replacing what is missing and fixing what is
broken. A detailed wiring diagram/parts list of the ORAC controller
would be great.

Denford's are still going, but were not very helpful. I was after
detailed wiring diagrams, which may not be available from them. For
£30 I could get a maintenance manual, but I doubt whether it goes
into enough detail to put the things right again. I was advised to
leave the machines alone and that whoever built the CNC system (this
was not Denford) went bust years ago. ORAC? No support would be
available anymore.

The machines are in beautiful condition mechanically and have very
little hours on them. Hence my determination to bring them back to
life.

As a secondary approach, I would be trying to re-fit them with a new
control system, perhaps salvaging as much as possible from the old
ones.

Any help and advice appreciated.

As this is my first message, perhaps a few words about myself:
I am a German model engineer, but living and working in Britain. I am
a mechanical engineer by trade, with a bit of knowledge in industrial
control (not necessarily CNC). I have restored all sorts of things
before (including machine tools), but this will be my first CNC job.

Thanks and kind regards,

Tom.