Retrofitting a 1986 Maho MH400E

eflor8234 wrote:
The 600E in the picture powers up but throws a code.

I haven't done much looking into the Indramat servos. I'm assuming they're brushed DC which would have them easy to drive with a Gecko 320X. Will see how it goes.

What is the code? It will always throw up a code on start up until you power on the hydraulics with the 3SH-1 button next to the E-Stop. You have to press it twice, and then on the second time you press it also press clear or enter (I don't remember which now).

The Indramat servos are brushed DC and both Mark and I connected the 3TRM-2 module to Mesa 7i77 cards.

EDIT: just in case you don't have all the manuals, I have a list of all the Philips 432 error codes available. I never had any problems with that control apart from the CRT monitor burning out. But it only did 2,5D milling (simultaneous 2 axes interpolation) and had 16 Kb of memory with no drip feed. Retrofitting is a great idea, especially since you seem to know your stuff and won't suffer like I did.

eflor8234, Indramats are very reliable. Do Gecko 320X even support resolvers? Why bother with the expense of changing to Geckos, when you only need two wires per axis from a MESA 7i77 to the indramat, and the encoder wiring from the EXE to the 7i77 to control an axis. The resolver closes the velocity feedback loop to the Indramat, and LinuxCNC closes the position loop through the Heidenhain encoders. (Or does yours have the Phillips encoders?).

If you send me your Email address (I have the same user name on other forums like Practical Machinst since PM is not activated here), I'll send you the document where I collected all the x00E retrofit information.

May I suggest to document the MHx00E retrofits in this thread, but make a separate thread for the x00P modifications. ThisOldTony is also doing a 400P, so it would be helpful for you both, but also for others searching for type specific info to have it in a clean thread rather than good information buried on page 130 of this one. I am sure that all the MAHO guys will keep engaged on a 400P specific thread as well.
Mark

RotarySMP wrote: eflor8234, Indramats are very reliable. Do Gecko 320X even support resolvers? Why bother with the expense of changing to Geckos, when you only need two wires per axis from a MESA 7i77 to the indramat, and the encoder wiring from the EXE to the 7i77 to control an axis. The resolver closes the velocity feedback loop to the Indramat, and LinuxCNC closes the position loop through the Heidenhain encoders. (Or does yours have the Phillips encoders?).

I haven't looked at the servos to see what type of feedback they use. If it has encoders, I'll try to use them. If not, I'll put some encoders on the motors.

I want to retrofit with simple parts.My problem with machines this old is that I feel like I'm always waiting for the next problem to come up. I've rebuilt a couple few VMCs and and a lathe, I've been really happy with the setups. Most of my parts are done in CAD leaving me with pretty big files sizes. I don't like drip feeding controllers...too much seems to go wrong.

I'll post a new topic for the 400P build out.

I think what Mark is suggesting here is to ditch the old control but retain the servos, they have closed loop feedback with tachos and linear glass scale encoders. Both exist in the cabinet as separate modules which you can easily connect to a LinuxCNC control built with Mesa cards.

Unless you also don't trust the drives and motors, but those will be expensive to replace with new parts.

Glemigobles wrote: I think what Mark is suggesting here is to ditch the old control but retain the servos, they have closed loop feedback with tachos and linear glass scale encoders. Both exist in the cabinet as separate modules which you can easily connect to a LinuxCNC control built with Mesa cards.

Unless you also don't trust the drives and motors, but those will be expensive to replace with new parts.

Got ya! If it was an easy thing, I'd keep the scales. I know Mach Drives out of AUS sells a brushed DC servo drive that also reads a scale.

Sorry db 1981 I should have made it more clear.
You wrote I quote. "You have got an exchange board from germany? But the eproms may be are still old?"
That is exactly what happened. The board was tested but likely came from another dead machine. I sent mine back to Germany. It was replaced not repaired. I forgot that detail.
Thanks Chris