Anyone know anything about these machines

[rsharitz]

I picked these two engraving machines over the summer (2010). I know the man who owned them did brick engraving, but since he had passed away his wife knew nothing about them (besides, what they did).

I'm attaching pictures if anyone can give me information that would be helpful. I have two control boxes, one for each unit, but no software or computers to connect them to. I know one of them worked before the gentleman passed away, but not sure about the second one.

Thanks

[rowbare]

It looks a lot like a New Hermes 1219. I picked one up recently without controllers or anything. I will replace the steppers with something more modern and use a Gecko G540 to run it under Mach.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/engrav...19_run_pc.html

NEW HERMES VANGUARD 1219 PARTS : Quality One Engravers, Engravers, Supplies, Routers, Software, New Hermes, EngraveLab

New Hermes Vanguard 1219

bob

[OldEngraver]

It looks like a Champion 1912 which were made by InterLab Robotics. Later models were marketed under the HSquare and Meistergram brands. JorLink may be able to help with parts. Not sure of the 2nd pictured controller though.

DOS software was version D1.4. Early windows software was Engrave 98. Will run from Engravelab also

[micheledeart]

Hi
I have got the same CNC as u show on these pics.I still have some problems and questions about operating it.How is it going for u with this machine?
Can i ask u some questions?

regards
Michele de art

[OldEngraver]

We have a couple of Meistergram engravers, which are part of the same family as Champion. The DOS software is coded to the owner and unless you have (I think it's designcad) you cannot use any elses' file. We never had this, so have upgraded to EngraveLab by Cadlink.
This makes the whole system far more user friendly.
There are many of these machines still in service as they are quite robust, so I will be surprised if you cannot obtain any help for your problems. Please post some of them as I'm sure many people will have the answers.

[micheledeart]

I creat Fanuc files on Artcam 10.
One of the problems for example:


If i define step down 0.1 mm (in artcam) the cnc starts from the stepdown 0.096 mm (1-0.096=0.004)

then it cleans the material 3 mm down (as was defined in artcam) and where the model has to be started cutted out (at -3 mm down) it starts at the depth of 3.092 mm instead of 3.096

seems every time the cnc get to a surface to cut out it subtracts 0.004 mm.

3.096 -0.004 = 3.092.

Another example:
my model is a simple square 6x6 mm.
But the cnc get me 6.4x 6.4 mm model

[OldEngraver]

This machine has been extensively modified by the look of your pictures. One thing I can tell you is that the z-axis is often quite dodgy on the 912 (I know I have one seldom used at the back of my workshop) Mine always seemed to gradually drift deeper during a job, so we always had to use a nose cone with it.
From your photos, it appears that the control box has been adapted to run software you mentioned. As I'm not familiar with it, I cannot make any suggestions unfortunately. Incidently those rails on the x-axis should be clean and shiny, not rusty. I'm amazed that it still runs OK. there should be a cover for that section of the machine. All the best!

[micheledeart]

thank you so much for your help!!!
So as i understand --the only way to get precise models is to get a new nice controller?
which one would u recommend?
Also i thought to upgrade this cnc to 4 or 5 axis .as i understood its possible

[OldEngraver]

Replacement controllers are available (Frans Technology Inc.), but as your machine has been extensively modified, I think that it's highly unlikely that they would work for you. It's also doubtful that the economics would add up and you probably would be better to consider replacing the whole system with another.
Can you not just work around the problem? It may just be software related..

[micheledeart]

Hi
sure, im trying to solve out the problems .But i want to understand --what was so much modified there that may prevent a new controller work properly?

[OldEngraver]

These replacement controllers are very expensive. Indeed, probably more than
a second hand system. I know that I would be lucky to get $500 for my old 912
and it's in quite good condition.
What I'm try to say is that the machine has unknown modifications which may include stepper motors etc and even if you do find a good controller, it may not work with it (or it may do, who knows?) If you know someone with a Meistergram system, maybe you could see if they can drive your table with their control box.
One of my suppliers was advertising that they could convert Meistergram systems to work with Mach3 software. Perhaps this may be a way out of your problems. It's all down to the amount of money you have to invest and the economics of it, I guess.

[micheledeart]

seems im starting to get the results i need by defining different parameters in Artcam.
What was the NOSE CONE solution u have mentioned for solving Z axis problems?

What are the parts that could stop working on CNC and where could i buy to replace them?