Red Cap Fanuc Motors (late 1990's early 2000's) w/ LinuxCNC and Single Phase?

Single phase is no problem. You can use a suitably-rated VFD to run the spindle motor. There should be no power loss for the spindle when using a VFD.

About power loss on the axis motors, if you are the guy who emailed me pictures of a motor label and some drives, the (Alpha) 12 motor (A06B-0143-B177#7008) motor is a pretty big one, 12 nm stall rating, and needs 43 A to deliver peak torque. The Pico Systems servo amps are rated at only 20 A peak, so you would get less than half the peak torque rating.

Jon

As for this optical thing, it is the connection between the CNC control and the servo amps (A06B-6096 series) that use optical communication.

The encoders used with this series are of the serial pulse coder style, using Fanuc's own proprietary protocol, but it is all electric.

(Just to set the record straight.)

Jon

Thanks Jon!

I'm a different guy (still waiting on pictures of the motors). It's good to hear that they aren't fiber optic!

I will get in touch once I get the motor photos (should be next week).

Kind Regards,
FDP

It looks like the machine has a 21iMA control.

Hi Jon,
I just got pics in of the motors & control.

The control is a Fanuc 21iMA (Type A02B-0247-B545 from late 2000).

Two of the servo motors are model alpha 2/3000rpm from late 2000 (0.5kW cont. output), one is a model alpha 3/3000 from the same year (0.9kW cont. output).

The spindle motor is an alpha 1.5/15000 from the same year.

My understanding is that the 21-iMA control does not have axis drives that support the alpha i servo amps. The motors should have an amphenol connector on their encoders (didn't get a pic unfortunately).

Unfortunately I won't be able to inspect the electrical cabinet myself for a few weeks to get further info, although I may be able to get some more pictures if that helps.

Kind Regards,
FDP

Without more info, I can't even tell whether the encoders are old style with classic ABZ and proprietary commutation, or serial pulse coders which are totally proprietary.
I think I (Pico Systems) have converters for both types (but need the model # to be sure). The motors should have an A06B-xxxx-xxxx part number, which should specify this. There MAY also be a label on the encoders, but many Fanuc motors do not have such a separate label on the outside.

Jon