Cincinatti Milacron arrow 500 retrofit

emcPT wrote:

Enhanced wrote:

id prefer to do a retro on the machine, so I can use touch probes, tool setters etc etc, and can load files bigger than 500kb.

I can't find anywhere here locally to even have a look at getting the machine running in its current state

Ok, the machine is yours, I just gave you my opinion.
I use linuxcnc everyday, and I retro fited several machines. Maintaining the original controller is in most cases still the best option, that sounds your case, from your first post (it seams that the controller is ok).
Your original controller is probably able to use all that you want to use with linuxcnc, and if cannot have files of 500Kb, maybe it also can deep feed those files, despite the fact that from my experience, a file with 500Kb is the result of a poor generator.

Your avatar is not Andy's avatar?

andypugh wrote:

Enhanced wrote:

Andy, do I need to use an encoder or do I use the original resolvers

You would use the original resolvers. LinuxCNC does not need to understand them, that resolver signal is only exchanged between the motors and the drives. It seems fair to assume that motors and drives are correctrly configured and no changes need to be made.
The drives output a simulated encoder signal to that can be connected directly to LinuxCNC.

will I be able to get the tool changer working do u think.

Yes, the tool changer can be made to work. It will probably be harder than getting the axes moving, partly because getting the axes moving should be very simple.

How hard will it be wire the machine up, is there anyway I can get a wiring diagram from that I will. Reed to wire everything up, my understanding if I'm to retrofit the machine is the following.

New pc, as mentioned earlier
5i25 & 7i77 as a combo
Vfd 5.5kw 3 phase to control spindle motor

You should be able to retain the existing spindle motor and drive. You shouldn't have to replace anything except the controller. All limit wiring, drives, resolvers and motors should be re-usable.

The wiring from 7i77 to the drives should be clear enough from the 7i77 manual and the drive manual. Setting up the drive enable signals might take a bit of deduction, but the drive manuals seem very clear and "open". Other than that is is just a +/-10V signal and ground from each 7i77 channel to the drives, and the 6 x encoder signals from the drive to the 7i77 for each axis.

It will end up being an awful lot of wires, but you only need to do them one at a time. It is probably best not to skimp on the actual wires. Cat5 patch cable is fine for limit switches etc, but I would be looking at something using individually shielded pairs for the encoder signals.

it seems safe to assume that the original builder already added all the filters and grounds that the drives and motors need.

JR1050 wrote:

Mark Nichols at Mag can email you a wiring diagram, Mag handles Cincinatti. What is the original control, acra 850 , 850sx or a2100? What drives Siemens, Emerson or kellomorgan, Fanuc? What is the spindle drive? You might wanna talk to Mark and see if getting the original control up is feasible, set up a Emc test bench, with some small motors, drives , beater computer and I/o and experiment some. Getting a machine to move is one thing, getting it to work is another entirely. ....