Anilam Crusader Series-M upgrade ?

[Fabric8r]

I just purchased a Bridgeport Mill with a Dated Controll. I cant down load to it from my pc and it uses conversational programming. It is a Anilam Crusader Series-M 3 Axis Controll. See picture below. I was wondering if And how hard it would be to use existing parts of this controll and upgrade it to a PC based system With Mach 2. I have ballscrews on all axises and It has SEM servo motors on all as well. Can I use the Axis Controll boards and power supply that it has or will I nedd to use another kind. I would appreciate any and all help. I would also need help wiring it.
Thank's in advance, Scott W.

[Toolbit]

I have a tree mill with anilam control. I was like you and thought it was very dated but if you take the time to learn the conversational control I'm sure you will be pleased. I programed a 10 curved blade fan for a century R/C helicopter to cut the blades and do all the work on topside of the fan was only about 30 lines of programing and with the use of the on board geometry calculator the x,y points were easy to find. I would suggest that you call the anilam people and buy the offline software for your particular control and you can transfere the programs by either floppy disc or DNC cables.

Oh by the way I downloaded the free version of deskengrave and with the g code to conversational program converter (this should be in your control's utility programs) the resulting program was 20,000 lines long for a name with only 5 letters. It ran flawlessly.

The Anilam control that I have was my introduction to CNC. I didn't know how to turn the machine on. Finding no mention of Anilam controls on any of the forms and with no manual the learning curve was difficult. One of the big things that I've learned is regardless of what control whether homebrew or store bought you need a good cad/cam program. Second thing is that with the conversational control and on board calculators you have a good chance to program the machine without spending the big bucks on cad/cam programs.

If you would like any help give me email dadotson@grundynet.net

[Fabric8r]

Is your anilam controll the same series as mine. The Anilam Crusader Series-M. Im just curious because I was told in another forum that this controll is only capable of 999 lines of code. You said you ran like 20,000. Was the program in your controll or did you have to drip feed it from the PC. I was also wondering about the g code to conversational program converter. Is this in my controll. you said it should be in my controlls utility programs. What and where is this. I use ONECNC for my CAD/CAM software and would like to down load programs to this controll if possible. Any and all information is greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Scott

[Toolbit]

I'm sorry that I got your hopes up but after going to Anilam's web site I think you might be stuck. According to what I could find out you are right about the 999 lines of program limit on that control.
The one I have is the 1100 series it has a 3.5 floppy disc drive as well as DNC (drip feed) function.

[xyzcnc]

Hey Toolbit I am still learning my "new to me" 1100 controller. Have you tried helical interpolation for thread milling? Just curious as to what this entails with this controller.

[Toolbit]

XYZCNC,
I've don't have a thread cutter bit so I've never tried to program a thread. I know it will cut a spiral and an ellipse. I would be interested in knowing how to cut a thread with a mill but so far I haven't needed to. I have (I hope) enclosed a picture of the results of my first cnc conversational program and introduction into CNC, the infamous Century R/C helicopter fan. There is also a picture of another little project with examples of conversational and gcode programming. If you figure out the threading let me know.

[Toolbit]

OOPS!!! it happens.

[Socrenko]

I have a Anilam Crusader ll controler is that older then the "M" series? and is there a program out there that I can hook up to my RS-232 Plug to be able to comunicate with my PC for of line programing?

Soc.

[Toolbit]

Hey Toolbit I am still learning my "new to me" 1100 controller. Have you tried helical interpolation for thread milling? Just curious as to what this entails with this controller.

xyzcnc, I finally needed to thread a part this is fairly simple with this control but you need to purchase a thread mill. To program threads goto Mill then select ARC then select MORE this brings up a picture of 3 different arcs select the middle one, this changes the arc input screen to one with origin of the hole or stud and a XYZ inputs (internal threads use major thread diameter, external threads use minor thread diameter)as well as REVS (thread pitch (threads per inch)). I'm like you the anilam 1100 is new to me also. The biggest help to me was buying the off line software it sure beats standing at the machine and pecking at the inputs. This way I can sit at my computer and write a program and put it on a floppy or use the DNC cable and drip feed. I hope this helps.

[Boring Life]

Any editor with up/download will work, baud rates should be set @ 2400 & aux codes have to be activated every time U power up the control (leave the power on) & aux 2701 will set the control to accept download, I have forgotten the other aux codes for power up. Check with the Anilam People

[Mike Mattera]

Skimming thru this thread I can answer some of the questions I saw.

The Cursader II is older than the Crusader M.
The Crusader II has 999 lines of program memory.
The RS232 port on a Crusader II is not quite standard.
Switch 2 & 3 (send & receive). They did this so you could use a straight cable (normally you would cross 2 & 3 in a standard RS232 cable.

Training for the Crusader II is available at the web site below.
Detailed training DVD's on the complete operation and inside tricks.

[mmcnall]

I have a anilam crusader m control that I program with mastercam 9 all the time. I had to modify one of the posts that came with it, but the crusader m readily accepts g code from the serial port. You use a straight serial cable (not null) and no more that 2400 baud. I added memory to the motherboard to the max of 64 kb and I can only get around 1000 lines of code too. The manual says that you can drip feed to it, however I have not gotten this going, as I am selling the mill, and don't want to fool around with it any more. The aux codes to configure the serial port settings must be entered in every time you power up if you don't have a good battery in the control (its on one of the cards). If you battery is no good, you'll know because the control won't save your program after a powerdown. If you need the aux codes I can scan them out of the manual and email them to you....Good luck