Control machine with different software??

[elite1]

I am looking for a little assistance or opinions on what my option are for a machine retrofit/rewire.
I currently own 4 machines that were designed to be run of the manufactures software using their own encrypted (G-code) to run the machine. Machines currently have an integrated PC and use a special plug for the input and output. Input and Output are a total of 12 wires. I also have the 4 wire plugs for the drives x,y,z,and a

My question is. Is there a way to bypass their PC and control it with different program (i.e. Logosol, Mach3?) I am currently using the Logosol software and set up on another machine and it works great. I cannot get support from the manufacture of the machines as they no longer exist. I am the only one in the US that has this type of machine and would really like to use them.

This machine also uses stepper motors, and has a pump for coolant.

Thanks for all your help and your time,

[TarHeelTom]

I'm certainly not the expert here, but...

It is certainly possible (and fairly easy) to remove their computer and stepper drivers and replace them with a PC and EMC2 or Mach3 and modern stepper controllers, but running the old steppers.

It also might be possible to figure out what signals their computer was sending to their stepper drivers and find a way to coerce a PC to send those same signals to the existing motor drivers. The big question here is, is it worth it? Might, or might not, be a lot of work to figure out how to convert just machine using their system.

On the other hand, maybe someone else on this board might already know how to do it with just a PC.

Tom

[elite1]

Making the existing steppers would be ideal. I have thought of just swapping out the steeper’s with servos and changing the control out with Logosol equipment. Each machine cost around $80,000 so a little investment wouldn’t hurt.

Thanks for your input Tom