Newbie- Camsoft avaliability

[a20cae]

I brought a couple of machine several years ago Bridgeport interact 4 (150 hiedenhain), and a colchester triumph 2000 funuc ot with the main controller missing (the royal air force took it out official secrets etc) anyway both are in good condition, the lathe being almost mint. I have not touched either for over two years, I sort of decided to fit galli camsoft kit back then and aquired the motion cards and breakout panels via ebay at the time. I now need to decide what to do. The camsoft is probably the best option but it is very expensive, second user copies I have only seen once on ebay in two years, bit like hens teeth. which kinda leave me in a quandry. I can not justify the 5000 dollars for both machines which is basically a hobby. I am resonably good with electronics, does any body know of any other options. Hopfully using the galil cards etc that I have allready aquired. Regards Chris

[camsoft]

Chris,

If you already own a CamSoft system, even an old e-bay purchase, we can legitimately transfer the license into your name.

We can also offer you a heavy discount on your second machine, as much as 50% off.

If this is a hobby you may only want to use the CNC Lite version. We can upgrade you later and buy back the CNC Lite at 100% of what you paid for credit toward a CNC Plus or CNC Professional version.

You join maintenance and use the existing the Galil card.

The cost would be under $1000 and we could do the same for the second machine as well.

Since your a Newbie we have phone support or maybe on-site service even in England. We are a corporation with technical support staff. You can speak or write to us directly.

You will receive free technical support and product updates which contain a 3 set CD package with revised Expanded electronic help look up, Printed documentation, Animated Wiring Connection Movies & Study Guide Tutorials.

Since you'll probably will jump to the next major version number you can also request a new printed manual as well. We will ship you a new installation CD with the latest version. You would be doing yourself a favor technical support wise to be using the same software that our tech staff uses.


Tech Support
CamSoft Corp.
support@camsoftcorp.com
PH 951-674-8100
Fax 951-674-3110
www.cnccontrols.com

[camsoft]

Chris,

B.T.W.

We could give you the advice needed to re-use your existing motors & amp drives for both the 150 which is a Heidenhain TNC model and a Colchester Lathe for the Fanuc 0T models which are proprietary and very difficult to re-use. We can confirm if you want to e-mail us the 12 digit Fanuc part number starting with A06B.

By doing this it would save you thousands of dollars if you had to replace the motors and amp drives and hire a high voltage electrician to dis-mount/re-mount and wire up circuit breakers and fuses. It's best if you didn't have to touch any high voltage equipment.

This alone would save more time and money than you would spend even if you got free software.

Tech Support
CamSoft Corp.
support@camsoftcorp.com
PH 951-674-8100
Fax 951-674-3110
www.cnccontrols.com

[a20cae]

The bridgport miller is no problem at all, sem motors and bosch drives the spindle drive is contraves operated at the generic 0 to 10 volts, no problems

There is a problem with the lathe fanuc drives and motor (speak digital only aparently). I have suitable sem motors and dc drives which I know are compatable with any system (the same as the bridgeport above) The spindle motor I can drive with a Japanese scourced inverter (220V) That more or less sorts it out, no tool changes etc on either machine so no problem here.

This was my grand plan two year ago but like i said before open to suggestions

I do not quite understand what you said about the fanuc electronics can galil cards talk to fanuc using your software ?
Chris

[Al_The_Man]

The big problem with Fanuc is the many variations when it comes to drives and motors.
The DC (yellowcap) variety can use encoder or resolver feedback, in this case the resolver usually goes back to the controller.
Galil cannot recognize a resolver, unless a converter is used.
With the AC (Red Cap) motor, the types of encoder are many, they all include commutation and in some cases require an encoder interface between the drive, even in the Fanuc system.
In most cases these go back to the digital drives because of the proprietary commutation method Fanuc has.
Al.

[camsoft]

a20cae,

Al has pretty much summed it up.

To answer your question directly. Depending on the 12 digit Fanuc drive part number mentioned in the last post we may have a piece of equipment to go in-between Fanuc and us. We have a bag of tricks to fall back on. There are a few methods to re-use the existing Fanuc motors and/or drives. We can tell from that part number. As Al said, it's the variations that one needs experience for.

This is loosely based on the painted end cap Yellow, Red, White or Black as Al mentions.

Tech Support
CamSoft Corp.
support@camsoftcorp.com
PH 951-674-8100
Fax 951-674-3110
www.cnccontrols.com

[Al_The_Man]

Originally Posted by camsoft This is loosely based on the painted end cap Yellow, Red, White or Black as Al mentions.

The Yellow are Fanuc DC, the Red are Fanuc AC.
AFAIK the black & white were Gettys DC that Fanuc used before they relabelled or did a knock off of the Gettys.
Al.

[a20cae]

I know that the motors are AC red cap and speak is digital. The two axis drive is a combined affair and I have been reliably infomed that its a budget unit, if fanuc do such an item. I know that the controller is an otc, I will get the fanuc drive number.
Chris