Please help! Adding axis to Fanuc 160i

[ausman12]

Hi All,

I'm hoping ther are some guru's out ther can can help me out.

I have an Amada FO laser with a Fanuc 160i-L control.

Machine has 4 programmable Axis (X,Y,Z,B) but the control is currently set up to control 5 axis (X axis has 2 servo motors).

Now i am in the process of retro fitting a 6th Axis (rotary axis,B)
But it has come to a grinding halt

I have the ladder file out of the machine, changes have been made for the operator panel, handwheel, & proxy's, interlocks Etc.

Now where the problem is
I was told the when i change parameter 1010 from (5) to (6) turn control on & off the (A) axis should now show on the position page on the screen, it does not show.

There are no parameters showing for (A) axis anywhere in the paramter pages.

I was then told that Fanuc must add the option, or Rom Data update to enable the 6th axis.

Is this true? i spoke with Fanuc here & they said that the control must have a 6 axis control card so it should work, he siad he is not aware of having to do software changes.

Can anyone help me with this problem please?

Cheers

[fordav11]

160i basic unit has support for up to 4 axis AFAIK.
You can get more but you need an option card for the extra axis.
It can also depend on which main unit you have. Some have 2 option slots, some have 3 some have 4.
Some of the option slots are usually filled at the factory.

Check parameter 3115. It should have one byte (8 bits) for each axis.
bit 0 (right-most) toggles whether the axis is displayed (on POS screen and several other screens)

how many axis are listed?

[ausman12]

Hi Fordav11,

Thanks for your reply.
Paramater 3115 has 5 Axis listed
X,Y,Z,X,B (Bit 0 for the second X is 1, to hide the axis as you said).

The back plane board has 4 slots, 2 are used
Slot closest to the main board is A20B-8100-026 (I don't know what this card is)
Next slot is A20B-8001-075 (this is the interface card that links to the capacitance sensing board)

You mentioned i can add the option card, would this require software/ rom data update, or just install card + some paramater changes?

I appreciate your assistance.

Cheers

[fordav11]

So you have 5 axis and you need 6. That usually means you have to add hardware.
Easiest way is to add PowerMate controller. We have several of them bolted to the top of a few of our milling machines driving A axis (rotary chuck) sitting on top of B axis table.
It's usually a specialized job that requires Fanuc technician or assistance from machine tool builder or at the very least someone who knows how to add extra axis to CNC machines.

[ausman12]

Hi Fordav11,

Thanks, i have been discussing this with 3 technicians.
I can't work out why the 6th axis is not availble, the "Dimm' axis control card must be 6 axis as the machine is currently using 5 axis.

1 tecnician who is doing the ladder changes, tells me that Fanuc needs to install the option for the axis?

Another technician is telling me an option paramater changes in the 9000 range would enable the axis, how ever it may need new Rom Data files.

And Fanuc has told me the axis sould just switch on with a paramater, as the axis control card is most likley 6 axis. (he was not aware of software or hardware requirments to enable the axis in the control)

I can't believe 3 technicians are telling me different things.

Sorry to be be a pain, can you eleberate on the PowerMate controller?
does it require Fanuc software changes or additional hardware to get the axis and axis paramaters to show on the control?

Cheers

[fordav11]

Powermate is an extra control box that interfaces with the existing control. Search google for info/manuals "Power Mate i – Models D and H Motion Controllers"

If you have 5 axis already you probably have 6 axis card like you suggested.
Turning on a 9000-series parameter may fix your problem. maybe not.
I doubt it is a 1-parameter change to get it working.
In any case we can't post that top secret info here.
See this for why.....
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/fanuc/...ary_posts.html

[ausman12]

Thanks,

I checked the powermate & it probably won't work as i need the G107 pipe code to control/overide the A axis speed properly.

I'm not chasing the option paramaters here, im really just after solid technical advice on what is actually required (software/harware) to get the 6th axis of the control operational.

I belive if i get the right info i can get Fanuc or one of the independant technicians to get this operational for me.

Thanks again for your advice.

[fordav11]

check your PM's.