Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: 3 axis retrofit

I feel that Machinemate will provide a higher end solution without a
rediculous cost. The machineMate Controller is a very powerful control for
closed loop servo's and yes a bridgeport is a very light duty situation. If
you want to keep it a closed loop system I think it is still worth on the
light side power automation sells the 4 axis controller with 48 in and 32
out and you use your pc for under 2000 dollars and it has all the
performance that you could use and operates on a realtime kernel that will
be safe even if windows fails.


Harko

On 9/25/06, Jim Fleig - CNC Services <jim@...> wrote:
>
> One comment about MachineMate. At one time I was pursuing providing
> MachineMate as a control retrofit for some of my customers machines. Prior
> to this I had done several retrofits with several different types of
> controls. In addition to retrofits, I have probably done every conceivable
> troubleshooting and repair to mills and lathes (15 years of working on these
> machines). I have programmed both mills and lathes in G code and
> conversational. Despite all this, MachineMate insisted that I spend a week
> at their facility to learn their system before I would be allowed to sell
> and install it. I have choosen to pursue other options. I obviously can
> learn and successfully execute control retrofits on my own.
>
> On the plus side, I think the MachineMate is as good a system as many that
> are out there, the people are machine tool knowledgable, friendly and
> professional.
>
> Jim
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: vrsculptor
> To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO%40yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Monday, September 25, 2006 7:30 AM
> Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: 3 axis retrofit
>
> Harko,
> I'll grant that the Machinemate CNC product is probably a workable
> solution but I fail to see why it is clearly a better solution on a
> simple machine than Mach3 with Gecko drives. In terms of performance
> I'm sure that they are both capable of driving the machine at
> acceptable rates and in terms of features Mach3 probably surpasses the
> original Heidenhain controller and I'm pretty sure that Mach3 posts
> are available for most CAM packages.
>
> I'm not clear on why the Mach3/Gecko solution is not equal to or
> superior to the Machinemate in terms of long term life and support.
> The components of a Mach3/Gecko solution are a PC, XP, Mach3 software,
> breakout board and 3 Gecko drives. The total retail cost of of these
> componentrs is around $900 and many people have done it for hundreds
> less by recycling an existing PC/XP. A full set of hardware excluding
> a PC is another $500 for a total cost of $1400. The configuratioin is
> so simple that if the machine stops working on a Sunday night it can
> be diagnosed and fixed by in house talent in a matter of hours. There
> are only 7 components.
>
> I'm not sure that the same could be said for the Machinemate solution.
>
> I can't comment on the complexity of installation. The wokability of
> Mach3/Gecko installation has been demonstrated by the thousands of
> successful installations by hobbiests. By doing your own conversion
> you will understand how to fix it. I don't know how/who installs the
> Machinemate.
>
> As I said, both are workable solutions. If cost and maintenance are
> the deciding factor I think Mach3 is a better solution.
>
> Roger
>
> PS. I'm not affiliated with Gecko or Artsoft. I've been using both
> successfully for over 5 years.
>
> > best way to retrofit the Heidenhain would be a Machinemate CNC if
> you want
> > performance and long term support.
> >
> > Harko
> >
> > On 9/24/06, Jim Fleig <jim@...> wrote:
> > >
> > > Heidenhain had at one time a very low flat fee to fix older
> controls.
> > > I learned this when one of my customers asked me to repair a
> > > Heidenhain control. I called Heidenhain and, at that time (3 - 4
> > > years ago), they quoted a flat fee of about $500.00 if the control was
> > > sent to them to fix anything that was wrong. I advised my customer to
> > > send their control to Heidenhain as I would end up billing them more
> > > in onsite costs to repair the control.
> > >
> > > Here is the contact information I have:
> > >
> > > 800 233-0388 http://www.heidenhain.com
> > >
> > > Hope this helps,
> > >
> > > Jim
> > >
> > > --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com<CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO%40yahoogroups.com>
> <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO%40yahoogroups.com>,
> > > "rs1626" <rs1626@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > i have a 3 axis knee mill with scale feedback drives and servo
> > > motors
> > > > are working fine has old heidenhein control that no longer functions
> > > > what do you all think the best way to retrofit neww control
> would be?
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]