Fadal Retrofit - ATC cycle

Hello all!

Have conducted a specific searched regarding the question below, but no luck...

Looking into a retrofit of a FADAL 3016 (1996 year, DC servos/resolvers) to LinuxCNC given the ever increasing reliance and cost of outdated proprietary hardware. Another way of saying: "future-proofing" with an adaptable, flexible and contemporary system.

The prime challenge seems to be the ATC cycle. Obviously there are quite a number of Fadal's out there, so just wondering whether anyone has retrofitted one with LinuxCNC and therefore whether there are any ladders or hal code already in existence specifically regarding the Fadal ATC cycle.

Hoping to get some previous Fadal retrofit expertise onto the forum regarding the ATC. Obviously information for this build, but also once this info is up it will serve as a searchable record for those who will also undoubtedly want to retrofit a Fadal in the future.

Would be greatly interested in your experience if you've been on this journey before me.

Thanks and best regards,
Marty.

Hello again all!

Now at the stage of buying cards for the Linux CNC retrofit of this FADAL. Was a DC servo motor machine with resolvers.
Keeping the DC axis motors, but going to use incremental encoders (no more resolvers) for positioning.

Currently a 4 axis machine, and currently also has an encoder on the spindle for rigid tap.

The parts I “think” I need are the following, can you please confirm that these parts will work together, or if you recommend a better solution.
 
2x 7i29 2 axis servo drives giving me 4 axis total
1x 5i22-1 Motion card
2x 7i37 for isolated machine side i/o
1x 7184 for pendant side i/o including MPG connection
 
If I am correct these cards will take up 3 of the 50way connectors on the 5i22, leaving me another slot spare for future expansion if needed.

Thanks for everyone's insight!
Kind regards,
Marty.

Hi Andy.

You hit the nail on the head with the cost. I am trying to "future-proof" the machine by moving away from proprietary cards and thus expensive parts etc. I find the resolvers to be a weak link in my particular case given that they are considered somewhat of a consumable. By the time I get a replacement landed here in Australia the cost is quite prohibitive. Generic encoders are a better option in that regard and will therefore help me to keep the machine running further into the future. In this case we are talking orders of magnitude difference in $$$...

That said, from your perspective and expertise, is the card setup as listed above about right? I am looking to go ahead and order a set before the weekend in the USA.

Thanks again Andy.
Regards,
Marty.

I'm going through a retrofit of an AC Fadal 3016L. I have the mill running perfect with manual tool changes. I just started writing code for the non servo ATC in python. Is python the right method for the ATC or should i go with a different method?

I attached what i have so far written in python. For some reason, it does not want to read or execute the following;

if(SO is False):

This is telling it stop spindle when the hall sensor is in position for orientation.