EMC2 with Teknics servo drives?

[Todd Zuercher]

I am new to this.
I am trying to refit a CNC router after a lightning strike took out the old PC control.
The router is 3 axis using Teknic servos and drives. The drives are SST-1500-ALW.

My question is what hardware (cards etc.) would I need to connect a new PC to properly run this CNC with EMC2?

The old control was a PC runing Microsystems CNC Controler (a DOS program that is no longer supported) with an ISA card (ACL-7120 rev.B) connected to some sort of breakout board (unknown manufacturer). There are high and low limits for each axis, an enable/reset switch, emergency stop, and at least one relay for turning on and off vacuum.

The drives seem to be working, but after putting in a new pc with the old card and software, I am not getting any control, I think there is either a problem with the old card in the PC or the break out board.

The machines manufacturer hasn't been a lot of help because it is an older custom machine, and the only person who "might" know anything is on vacation.

[PCW_MESA]

Originally Posted by Todd Zuercher I am new to this. I am trying to refit a CNC router after a lightning strike took out the old PC control. The router is 3 axis using Teknic servos and drives. The drives are SST-1500-ALW. My question is what hardware (cards etc.) would I need to connect a new PC to properly run this CNC with EMC2? The old control was a PC runing Microsystems CNC Controler (a DOS program that is no longer supported) with an ISA card (ACL-7120 rev.B) connected to some sort of breakout board (unknown manufacturer). There are high and low limits for each axis, an enable/reset switch, emergency stop, and at least one relay for turning on and off vacuum. The drives seem to be working, but after putting in a new pc with the old card and software, I am not getting any control, I think there is either a problem with the old card in the PC or the break out board. The machines manufacturer hasn't been a lot of help because it is an older custom machine, and the only person who "might" know anything is on vacation.

I would search for the Teknic motor drive specs to determine what interface they use (Analog +-1OV, PWM, STEP/DIR etc), then the retrofit hardware requirements can be determined.

Other information that will help:

Do the motors have encoders?

Do you have a system wiring diagram?

[Todd Zuercher]

The drives take Step/dir.

Yes, the servos have encoders.

No, I do not have any wiring diagrams.

[PCW_MESA]

Originally Posted by Todd Zuercher The drives take Step/dir. Yes, the servos have encoders. No, I do not have any wiring diagrams.

The simplest EMC setup would be to use one or two parallel ports. A breakout board may or may not be required (a dual port PCI parallel card is cheap if you make a mistake but I would use a breakout board if you use a motherboard parallel port)

The limitations of a parallel port based system are limited I/O points and limited step rate, these may not be serious limitations depending on your resolution and speed requirements. If you need more I/O or higher speeds, then special hardware for EMC can be used. For hardware step generation (so no practical limitations on step rate) Both Mesa and Pico Systems make
cards.