Kern/DMT CD320

Hello everyone

I have gotten my hands on a 1998 Kern/DMT CD320 cnc lathe in kind of a rough state. My plan is to tear it down, clean out all the old gunk and then get new servos and electronics to allow me to run it on 3 phase 230v. But before I start spending money I have a couple of questions I was hoping someone around here could help me with.

1. Do anyone have any kind of technical drawings or manuals for this machine. I have tried emailing DMT a couple of times, but I get no reply.
2. I am trying to decide if I should go for Ethercat servos or Mesa + pulse, any thoughts on the best solution? I have been able to find suitable hw for both alternatives on aliexpress, so main concern is linuxcnc compatability/problems.

Any input is greatly appreciated, regards from Norway.

When I bought the machine it would not boot, with a bios battery error message, so the original computer is probably dead, but not really a big loss... But the machine was working fine the last time it was used, a couple of years ago, according to the seller, so the original Indramat drives and motors are probably fine. Main problem is they require 380v, 3-phase and 17kW of it... A bit more than I have available in my garage. So the plan is to reduce the power somewhat (especially for the 10kW spindle motor), given the machine is only going to be used for hobby projects, and get it to run at 230v 3 phase.

With regards to ethercat vs mesa it looks to me, based mostly on forums posts, that the mesa route is safer, more tested and less potential problems, does that sound about right?

tommylight wrote:

Europe, so you do NOT have 3 phase 230V, you have 3 phases where each has 230V exclusively when used in conjunction with neutral. Otherwise, you have only 3x380V.

 

Sorry to hijack this discussion
That makes sense. Finally!... that solves a question that has mystified me a long time. Why 380V? Well, it does make sense.

Here in US we have everything except  380V:

(1) We have 1 phase 120/240V with two lines 120V to neutral or 240V between each other.
(2) We have 3 phase 480V with 277V to neutral and 480V between each other.
(3) We have 3 phase 208V with three lines 120V to neutral and 208V between each other.
(4) We have 3 phase 240V with 120V to neutral on two lines, 208 to neutral on the third line, 240V between any two of all three lines. This kind of service is hardly installed new anymore, but still exists. Used to be quite popular with just two transformers, they actually skipped the third transformer. It is actually an extension of (1) above by adding one transformer on the power entrance.

Listed in order of popularity among my current customer base.

I still don't understand why the US made it so complicated. Here in .AU all we have is  single phase 240v (which Is slowly getting watered down to 230v or even 220 v to match some overseas countries) and 415 volt three phase. 3 Ph circuits can have an optional neutral wire and you get 240v from any phase and neutral. 380v I think is allowed but some people recommend using a transformer if running 380v machines. 

Actually, in Norway the most used distribution system is called an IT net (IT is short for something like Insulated Terra). This system uses 3 phase conductors and no neutral, with a conductor to conductor voltage of 230v, and with no neutral there are no other voltages available. I think this is different from most of Europe where they use a TN net, at least that is what Wikipedia is claiming...