Multicam MT22

[Frode1]

Hello

I have a Multicam MT22 24x24 router with 2 Perske spindles on it, belive it was buildt 1997 i bought it from a finance company, i need help setting up the machine setup on it, I have no idea how to configure it what drivers to use and so on.
I got the Enroute3 software with the machine i have installed it and the software seems to work but i am afraid to try running it with the wrong settings, i didnt get a manual for the machine itself only for enroute i belive i need some extra parameters for the second spindle and i have no ideas what they are. I am hoping someone with the same machine could point me in the right direction here.

[MCPservice]

I install, repair and train on these machines. Where do you want to start, post some questions and we will get started.

[Frode1]

Hi, thanks for your reply, being a total newbie im very happy someone is willing to help

First of all, im a bit confused what driver to use, in the list of drivers i have multiple options that all might be right:

MultcmGC
Multicam HPGL
Multicam
MulticamGC router

there is also options about 2D and 3D, but i guess 3D will be right i have a 3 axis machine and i want to use them all

My machine is equipped with 2 Perske spindels, i wonder how they are controlled, do i choose "drill bank" and set options for it there ? if so how do i know the YYZ parameters for it ? i guess only X coordinates is needed.

i also wonder if i can use only enroute or if i need additional software from Multicam to be able to use it. i found a disc inside the CNC controller box with something called multicam PSS on should i install this ?

[Frode1]

I am still looking for answers, if someone got any documentation at all or some experience i would really like to hear from you.

[Frode1]

Hello, it seems like no one actually has any knowledge of this machine i have decided to retrofit it, get the old multicam things out of it and in with some new tech. probably the best thing to do anyways since the multicam people arent very cooperative.

I am now in the market for a retrofit kit, suggestions is welcome.

Thank you

[Max]

I'm going to jump in and try to lead you in a direction so that you can get your machine working.
1st off is knowing the operation of the machines controls and keypad.
Don't concern yourself with other programs until you have the machine running and responding to the keypad.

Steps in order would be:
Power up control
Let machine boot up control program
Once machine is up, display will have x y and z coordinants
Before the machine will do anything, you must set home
The machine will seek the home limit switches and self align.

This procedure will indicate that the machine is working.
If your able to get to this point, I don't see a need of retrofitting.

We can get you going ....

[Frode1]

Thank you for your reply, I got some manuals for this thing now, MCPservice provided me with the basic user manual (thanx a lot for that by the way) so i am no longer completely in the dark. i am now in the progress of getting power to the thing as well as pipes for the vaccum pump and compressed air. i realized i didnt have enough power to use the machine only had 10A 230v, its rated 20A. have to get someone to install new circuit breakers and wiring for it. As I am waiting i am reading the manuals I am pretty sure it is operational when powered up, it was in working order when pulled from the previous workshop.

I am pretty sure i will have more questions later.

Thanks

[Frode1]

Today i finally got the machine started, everything looks fine able to home it and everything like Max said. problem now is that i cannot get DNC to work
in the end i tried the old MX application when i try to load a job it says that the current controller doesent support it :S not sure what to do but i read something about firmware might be too old for DNC to work

i have 3.24B firmware or something like that, the manual for mx stated that a later was needed.
is it possible to obtain that ? its an extratech M23 controller

[Max]

Do you have a program called JobServer?
If so, connect to the machine using that.
Using the windows program called Computer, view the files under DncFiles and you should see sub-folders Jobs1, Jobs2, Jobs3 .... etc.
Put your toolpath file created in the design program into one of these sub-folders and access it from the multicam keypad using the DNC connect button.
Load that file and run from the keypad.
You cannot (that I know of) send files to the multicam control.

[Frode1]

Ill have a go again using the jobserver, unfortunantly have to go away for xmas but will test in a few days

[Boltz]

Hi, I'm wondering if your unit has a similar h-board controller to mine. It's quite a good DSP controller.

The M23 is the interface board, where the optos are, not the controller. My old MG has an M24 interface board mounted on top of the controller board with standoffs and screws. The controller board should have an Intel i960 on it, along with an Analog Devices DSP and a few assorted other FPGA's. I'm guessing it'll say "H971" on it, along with a revision number.

When you say "firmware", we need to be sure we're discussing the right file. Mine is called "htk351b". When I open it up with wordpad it's mostly binary gibberish, but you can read a copyright notice from Filmore Systems.

You'll probably also have loader and init files, named "HSTD", "HLDR", or maybe "HATC", if the machine has a tool changer. These are plain text files which will provide clues for how to call the 2 heads.

Multicam has a pretty useful list of g-codes at their website.

The MT22 is an interesting machine.

-Jim Hart

[MCPservice]

Can you tell me what your setting are for the serial communication that you are using, plus are you using XP as your operating system or Vista or Win 7.

MX32 will not work on a system higher then XP, plus your port setting, can you tell me what your port setting are?