Fanuc OM/Denford Quatromill

[darrylh]

I have just bought a Denford Quatromill circa 1988, with Fanuc OM control. With it came a GE Fanuc 'Operator's Manual' about 1 1/2 inches thick, which would be of some use if I intended to crunch code on the display - instead I intend to upload DNC. I have some questions for the forum and would be grateful for any help:

1. Is there a nice easy resource for using the Fanuc OM (with some details about DNC)? e.g. third-party manual, guide, book.
2. Is there anything out there covering the electrical cupboard and maintenance of a Denford Quatromill (Denford still exist and sell CNC Mills, but they don't want to know about a vintage Mill). Denford are a UK company that specialise in educational machine/training. Note, I can't afford to pay £££££ for a training course - and doubt whether they cover a 1988 machine.
3. Does anyone know how I can eliminate an Alarm #511 x-axis overtravel that appears when I switch on. There is a switch under the table that has been depressed by the end stop there - I have removed the plate carrying the stop (thus causing the switch to pop up again) but the alarm is still present.

Best,
Darryl

[Al_The_Man]

Here is a free download program and shows parameters etc for 0M http://www.cadem.com/ncnet/ncnet_dncdetails-41.htm
IIRC that should just be the overtravel switch, make sure you have the X- , you can also look at the diagnostic input status bits, the overtravel on Fanuc are dedicated inputs, i.e. they are pre-defined, but I do not have my maintenance manual here.
If you cannot get the original OEM service manual, you should get hold of the Fanuc Connecting, Connection and maintenance manual, keep a watch out on ebay.
No third party documentation on Fanuc 0 AFAIK.
Al.

[darrylh]

Al,
Thank you for the download site. I checked out Ebay and found a seller offering other Fanuc manuals (16, 21, etc) but not the OM. Would it be worthwhile buying one of these anyway - or are the later controls completely different? Thanks again.
Daryl

[Al_The_Man]

Too many differences on 16 on, you need to go with the 0, I have the 15 on up in pdf but no 0 unfortunately.
Al.

[EDM_Fixer]

theres a little breather cover on the casting just to the side and foreward of the motor .. it has 2 sml. allen caps there is a gear inthere u can move the table with .. or take the end off the motor carefull!!!.. there is usualy an allen cap on the end of the shaft you can use to back it up.. Jim

[darrylh]

Hello Jim,
Thanks. I found that I could actually turn the leadscrew and position the table back to within its limits. It seems crazy that there is no sensible procedure to overcome an overtravel alarm. I asked a person who I thought was an experienced Fanuc programmer and he replied he would need to refer to his 'Ops' manual to overcome the problem I had. Anyway, I am delighted to now be within the limits - however, now the control produces an error "zero datums". Obviously, the manual movement of the table has upset the servo "zero" co-ordinates. There has to be an easier way to rectify/reset when the overtravel limits are hit!

[EDM_Fixer]

ya gotta zero return it now in either manual ref. point return.. or MDI it w/ G28 X0.Y0.Z0.U0.V0.W0.B0.; and some will only let you zero return 2 axes at a time .. and some make you zero the Z first to get it out of the way.. 704 996-5737... Jim

[Al_The_Man]

I asked a person who I thought was an experienced Fanuc programmer and he replied he would need to refer to his 'Ops' manual to overcome the problem I had. Anyway, I am delighted to now be within the limits - however, now the control produces an error "zero datums". Obviously, the manual movement of the table has upset the servo "zero" co-ordinates. There has to be an easier way to rectify/reset when the overtravel limits are hit!

The move off of OT limits is usually no problem the control can allow the jog in one direction only, it is up to the machine tool builder as to how the OT is handled, also there is a parameter that will cause the software OT limits to be in effect on power up, this can be changed by parameter, sometimes if the the axis has been moved while the machine is off the OT limits have to be over ridden by holding the Cancel & P button on on power up.
If you need the O parameter manual I have in electronic format.
Al.

[darrylh]

Thank you Jim and Al,
I will try the G28 command. Yes, please would really appreciate the params in elec. format.
Best
Darryl