retrofit

[advt001]

Hey guys,I am seriously considering using an Ajax kit to replace an AB 8200mp on a late 80's cnc knee mill.If you have or know some one that has done this retrofit please enlighten me.I visit this forum everyday and am very grateful to all the knowledge and wisdom of its members.Thanks again.

[converterk]

It is an easy control to retrofit and works well. Are you trying to retrofit as cheap as possible or as easy as possible?

[advt001]

I guess ease would be the correct answer.I am not an electrical engineer but I can follow directions.I am aware that I could save alot of money by doing my homework but time is an issue.Thanks for your interest

[converterk]

The easiest and fastest way is the complete prewired cabinet and motors from Centroid. If your mill has dc motors you could save a lot of money by wiring the cabinet yourself and reusing your old motors. I have had good results doing this but it is not a weekend job.

[advt001]

Converterk ,that is what that I liked about this kit was being able to use some of my existing parts.I do run my own cnc shop and figure i could get this one done parttime in a month or so.Otoh do you have any suggestions as to what threads I should read on building a scratch servo system?I do appreciate your responses, thanks again.

[converterk]

PM your phone # and I will call you tomorrow.

[Michael M]

Originally Posted by converterk . . . wiring the cabinet yourself and reusing your old motors. I have had good results doing this but it is not a weekend job.

As Terry says, don't expect to do it in a weekend. When I did my 325 Tree with components Terry supplied (I reused the servo motors but put the 2000L encoders on, and was able to reuse some contactors/transformers) I found that I spent a lot of time trying to figure out a sensible layout for putting the parts and wiring on the backpanel in the side cabinet after eliminating the rear cabinet.

I also had zero previous experience with a CNC machine so I had to learn what all those parts were supposed to be doing, and you may well be beyond that stage.

Make sure that any relays you think you might reuse are the right voltage for the Centroid/Ajax control. I didn't look at that carefully enough and had some delay when I ordered replacements.

You definitely need to have a running mill available while you are working on the conversion mill so you can do things like the encoder swap and possibly new brackets to add extra limit switches as I had to do on the Tree.

cheers,
Michael

[RP Designs]

I am waiting to hear back from Scott on an inquiry I sent him via email, I keep getting his voicemail. Can I ask you guys what you thought of the Ajax kit? How much time do you think you saved going this route versus piecing together your own system?

[DRD]

If you need to get up and running, and make chips, go with the ajax or centriod.
I retro fitted a lagun mill a few years back, and the ajax worked great.
I would take the ajax, over any of these hobby based controlers anyday. ajax use a trully closed loop motion system, none of this stepper motor bull crap. The control knows were the motors are at all times, so you get accurate parts.
It all comes down to how much time do you have? And if you have the $$ for the ajax.
If you want to make chips, go with the ajax, you can have the machine running in probally less than 10 hours. The hobby based controls, could take years to get them right, just take a look at all the post on these hobby controllers.
Good luck.

[RP Designs]

Originally Posted by DRD If you need to get up and running, and make chips, go with the ajax or centriod. I retro fitted a lagun mill a few years back, and the ajax worked great. I would take the ajax, over any of these hobby based controlers anyday. ajax use a trully closed loop motion system, none of this stepper motor bull crap. The control knows were the motors are at all times, so you get accurate parts. It all comes down to how much time do you have? And if you have the $$ for the ajax. If you want to make chips, go with the ajax, you can have the machine running in probally less than 10 hours. The hobby based controls, could take years to get them right, just take a look at all the post on these hobby controllers. Good luck.

Well that is the way I am leaning at least for this first project; however, I have noticed that response time is a little slower than I would expect. I don't think it is unreasonable to expect a sales department to get back to you within one business day, even if it is someone else answering the messages and giving a courtesy call or email. Right now I am a little apprehensive about how easy it will be to get support. If I am paying a premium for someone to put the components together I hope that they are there when I have a question. I don't want to wait 3 days for a response.

Edit, in fairness to Ajax, it has only been 1 1/2 days since I called. I did email today.

[DRD]

don't worry about the support, when I was using the ajax, there was only one guy supporting it, he allways got back to me, this till might hold true today. when your up and running, the support will not be needed.

[ajaxscott]

Originally Posted by RP Designs Well that is the way I am leaning at least for this first project; however, I have noticed that response time is a little slower than I would expect. I don't think it is unreasonable to expect a sales department to get back to you within one business day, even if it is someone else answering the messages and giving a courtesy call or email. Right now I am a little apprehensive about how easy it will be to get support. If I am paying a premium for someone to put the components together I hope that they are there when I have a question. I don't want to wait 3 days for a response. Edit, in fairness to Ajax, it has only been 1 1/2 days since I called. I did email today.

RP,

I believe I replied to you directly -well, at least your initials here are the same as the person I replied to.... I won't use your name here but if you didn't receive a reply please let me know.

BTW Your Pulse Coder 2000ppr will work just fine and I'm pretty sure that we do have the mating Military Style connectors for your motors/encoders - but I can't be sure without a photo.

Regards

Scott