Kitamura MC-2 Fanuc 6M B Questions

[moldmker]

Hello...I recently acquired a 1981 Kitamura VMC with Fanuc 6M B control (price was right...so far )

#1 I need explanation of the difference between NC and PC parameters.
When I press the PARAM key I get one list of parameters and when I press the key again I get a 2nd list of PC parameters.
I want to activate the helical milling option and found the parameter values elsewhere on this forum, but am unsure which parameter list to work with.

#2 The 2ND L.S. led is always on. This doesn't seem to inhibit any machine movement and the axis limit switches appear to function correctly. The couple of times I did have a an over-travel situation, the 2ND L.S. momentary toggle switch allowed me to jog off the limit switch correctly. So, does the light on indicate proper function?

#3 I'm running this in a garage shop off of my existing 5HP rotary phase converter. I believe I will need a larger converter (7 hp spindle). When I start (or stop) the spindle with a speed greater than 3000 RPM the machine shuts down. What exactly makes a 3 phase converter "CNC" capable, as some are advertised?

Thanks,
Bob

[Yabbos]

Bob,

The 2ND L.S. led is always on, This is normal and is used for over travel

I too am using a rotary phase converter 20(HP) if you are going bigger I would go at least 15 or 20 hp. and the trick to running CNC's off of these is to get the generated leg to the same voltage as the other two legs using run capacitors.


I dont know enough about the parameters to help you.


Phil

[Dan Fritz]

The regular parameters (including the options) are displayed by pressing the PARAM key once. Pressing the key a second time gives you PC parameters, which are variables that the machine tool builder uses for the machine interface. There are some timers, counters, and "keep relays", but these items are not part of the Fanuc executive software. You will find all kinds of stuff related to the tool changer, M-codes, spindle, etc. in the PC parameters. You must have the ladder documentation from the machine tool builder to understand what the PC parameters do.

Your option parameter for helical interpolation is in the regular "CNC" parameters, not in the PC parameters. Helical is parameter 003, the 3rd bit from the right.

To enter a CNC parameter, you must turn on the "Parameter Write Enable" switch on the main mother board (you will get an alarm 100), then put the control into MDI mode, cursur to CNC parameter 003, press the letter "P", then input your data (all 8 bits of parameter 003, leaving the other 7 bits unchanged). When you press INPUT, the parameter should go in. Turn off the Parameter Write toggle swich, then press RESET to clear the alarm 100.

[moldmker]

Thanks for the info guys....this was exactly what I was looking for.

Bob