Ajax/Centroid VS Prototrak

[dk1machine]

On the Centroid/Ajax subject.......
Can anyone comment on the Southwestern industries TRAK/or Prototrak controls? I have a friend that bought one of their bed mills used, and a customer that has 2 of their Bridgeport type machines (one is new this year). All say how easy the Trak machines are to program, no G codes needed,etc. I'm skeptical....
They may be tooo limted. Ajax/Centroid still seems like the better deal, except I wonder about ease of conversational programming for
1zee-2zee jobs.
And I think there is NO price comparision.
Trak claims their ballscrews are "special"
and will only sell a kit that includes them.
With Ajax, I can use any ballscrews I want to.
And my own motors & encoders too. I have an old XLO BP clone that was a slo-syn machine with steppers. It already has ballscrews in it. I called the TRAK people last week, & they
said "nope, that's one we can't do cause our screws don't fit in it".

Ajax looks like the ticket,but tell me more about their conv. ability. The ajax/cent demo software is mostly useless because it dosen't really work without a control board installed in the PC. Who has an Ajax mill control that can comment on the ease-of-programming for 1-2 pc jobs......?


thanks alot!

dan k

[RickOmatic]

I have used the Trak (prototrak) cnc's at one of my former jobs and I loved it! You are right about the g-codes. They are there, just not visable in the program they use to write your program part. They will save and eccept g-codes though. When you need short run or one piece it was great. At my last job I could not get then past the cnc machining center vs. manual machines. I think that both the prototrak or Centroid are great "go betweens" for a productive shop. I have not run a Centroid machine myself, but have seen the demo at a local tool show. Another thing about the Trak system- They use a encoder feedback off a metal wheel that "rubs" on the machine itself. They HAVE to be free of coolent, but otherwise worked well. Centroid uses glass scales. Hope this helps... Rick

[tsutt]

Ajax / Centroid acutually program a lot like a trak. easy to use. they use encoders on the servo's not scales. Todd

[trakman]

99905695

[DRD]

I own a lagun knee mill , I retrofitted a few years back with a Ajax system.This mill was manual be retro fitting. I put around 10k into the retro fit.
The Ajax programming for the 1.2,3 sfuff is as east as it gets.
Then if you want to run a complex job, no problem, you can also turn off the power to the servos, and now you have a mill with a DRO. Aside, probing and dightizing, the control packs alot of punch for what it is. The control is bullet proof, and works without a glich.
I really think that for a mill system, that you want to do alot of various jobs with, the ajax is one to look.


Good luck.

[gfoxwc]

We have a prototrak dpm smx control ,bed mill and it is very easy to program and mostly operate
The more detailed tool control we use mastercam. The simple z movement of the head is so easy and going from 2 to 3 axis is no task at all.
I will be adding one to the house for a prototype only start up and will compare with the centroid controller just to see if i'm missing anything. Any comments ??
gfoxwc

[Ed VanEss]

I installed an Ajax control on a Yamazen verticle knee mill and I love it. its very easy to program, and for 1 or 2 pc jobs, just use MDI. I used a prototrak, and I prefer the Ajax. You don't need to know G code, except for your MDI.
hope this helps.

[gfoxwc]

Hello ! Thanks for the input ! I went to the pacicfic coast tool show in Santa Clara hoping to find a centroid M400 to check out but a no go.
Will look for a user in the SF Bay area.
Happy Turkey !