Shizuoka AN-S Help Info for Retro Fit

[Cartierusm]

OK so a friend of mine got a free Shizuoka AN-S mill with CNC88 control (tape programmed) and I'll be trading my time for the retrofit for another CNC machine, saweeet.

Anyway, I've done searches but just need a little info on this machine and help on which way to go. I take it, it uses servos, but I thought servos were best utilized by being geared down as they work better at higher RPM, but these are direct drive?

The big question, what should I do, should I try and salvage any of the old electronics and motors or just buy new stuff? Let me start off by saying that I've never worked with servos before and would love to just slap some 1800 oz.in. steppers on it as it's already direct drive, use geckos, new VFD and a big ass power supply?

What does everyone think? My friend doesn't mind buying parts and it would make it easier so I don't have to research all the old stuff to see if it's salvageable.

[Karl_T]

IMHO, you're better off with servos than steppers on that fine machine. Get AMC servo amps cheap in ebay and refit it to EMC2.

I follow a newsgroup, rec.crafts.metalworking. A fella that goes by Ignoramous just finished doing a similar job. He LOVES it. Look him up.

Karl

[Cartierusm]

Will do, are the servos on this worth working with? I've read some that it doesn't use encoders but resolvers, but if I change those would the motors be worth keeping?

[Al_The_Man]

Originally Posted by Cartierusm I take it, it uses servos, but I thought servos were best utilized by being geared down as they work better at higher RPM, but these are direct drive? The big question, what should I do, should I try and salvage any of the old electronics and motors or just buy new stuff?

IMO also, you will be better off with servo's.
Popular misconception, both servo's and steppers have maximum torque at zero rpm, but servo's exhibit fairly flat torque curve up to maximum rpm.
You also have the advantage of closed loop via encoder.
If you go with a analogue command system, you may not need replacement amps if these are still working OK.
If resolvers, you would need to replace with encoders, not usually a big deal.
Al.

[Cartierusm]

Thanks AL, I figure the hookup of servos to computer are the same through a break out board. So I'm looking at the Keling Package of 320 or 320X Gecko, 1120 oz.in Servos and 500 line encorders, 72V 20A PS, C11 BOB and some other stuff for $1200. Seems a pretty good deal to me and I've had good luck with Keling, all my CNC stuff is from them.

Oh, the computer system is shot on this machine so I'll be using Mach 3.

[jalessi]

Cartierusm,

If you are going to toss the old servos, throw them my way.

I have a Shizuoka and would not mind having spares.

Jeff...

[Cartierusm]

I would but it's my friends machine and he plans on ebaying them. If you're still interested give me a price and I'll pass it along to him.

[jalessi]

Cartierusm,

Please let me know when they go up on eBay.

Thank you,

Jeff...