from anilam to emc2?

Yep, same type of setup with Tach signal on servo and scales on the table.
I would hope to start by keeping as much of the old system as possible, so I will search for original wiring information and find out what type of signal the servo drivers require.

Rick G

Wow, just read the entire thread linked by Andy, as a +15 year CNC machinists, I am a HUGE fan of EMC. Further I would NEVER consider running a machine with Winblows as my OS. For this reason alone I started with EMC as my control for a hobby machine built by me. As I uncover more features built into EMC, I am now considering retro of an old VF1. That is assuming the drives all work.

Beyond that, I have a BP ez-track I have never liked. right now it is non functioning because I robbed the main control card to use in 1 of my VMC's. To replace that card will be ~$2500. So thats not happening. I will however, after learning more about how to configure EMC, retro it with some MESA stuff and EMC.

Beyond that, I have 4 VMC's - all with BP DX-32 controls, that could be retro'ed later as the controls are obsolete and costly to fix. While you guys have no idea of my background - suffice it to say that even considering getting rid of my DX-32's is HUGE. It is actually a criteria for buying new used machines.

Also have a lathe with FANUC - OT on it. what can I say _HATE IT!!!!

I guess maybe this post is almost spam for EMC, but what can I say - I am SO VERY IMPRESSED!!!

Anyway, after reading the above mantioned thread, I can't see why anyone would run MACH on anything other then a small for play machine.

THANK YOU ALL!!!

Nice, I think thats what they trained us on at BP back in 1997 if memory serves. So you know what a BMDC board is and why I won't be buying another.

in a nutshell, the BMDC board is EMC/PC all rolled into 1. It sits in the ISA slot of the PC. When you boot the machine, and see the message about loading BMDC, it is sending all the needed software to it. When you hit "+" to load the program, it gets sent to the BMDC board. the neat thing is the PC can fail but the machine will still run as long as there is power. Of course you can ONLY run the current program but I have gotton through jobs that way with failing mobo.

Do you have the semins A/C drives or the D/C drives?

EDIT: it is EMC/PC with 1 really big difference => you can't change things to suit you or your machine!!!

Rick, I see you were working with a friend on a conversion from anilam crusader m to emc.

Did he get it done? Can you give me any tips for someone considering the same thing?

Thanks.