Need Help!- Mazatrol M1 capability

[cam280]

Hi All, I am considering purchasing a MAZAK VQC-20/40A with a Mazatrol M-1 controller, The price seams quite reasonable but the sales guy cannot tell me what it can and can't do, (he is a fanuc guy). It also has a DNC link. I have never programmed using conversational, and the G code I did do was 15 years ago, I am mainly looking at this machine as a big boys toy / hobby machine.
The main question I have is whether or not it can do helical milling. I want to be able to achieve thread milling. I draw in solid using Inventor, and may use something like edge cam to generate code if I have too. Your advice will be greatly appreciated

[MrMazak]

My first guess would be no, you cannot thread mill. I could post an M2 thread mill cycle if you like and see if it works. The M1 was not a very powerfull control and was replaced by the M2 within six months. I'm not even sure EIA was available for it.

[cam280]

Thanks, That would be great, I will find out about EIA, I would also like to understand the drip feeding capability is on the M-1 controller, I noticed on the screen the system has 580k memory, that does not sound like much. In your opinion what do you believe a machine like this should be worth, he is asking US$12k. It appears to be in very good condition for its age

[MrMazak]

12k is way high imo. A dealer here in the USA would probably give you 3-4k tops. So 7-8k is all that machine is worth in mint condition. I will dig up my M2 thread mill example and post it soon.

[newguy81]

I had an H-12 with an M-1 and I TM'd with it all the time. M-1 didn't have the EIA option so you'd have to program in Mazatrol manual. Program it in quadrants X,Y,Z,I & J. Not hard to do but time consuming. I have samples if you decide to buy it. I agree, the price should be less than 10k USD and in mint condition.

[MrMazak]

Here is a M1/M2 helical unit that cuts a 4"-8un i.d. thread using a 1.50 diameter cutter. Hope it helps.

[newguy81]

MrMazak, Just looked at your program here, does that work with cutter comp? Is that what the G40 & G42 are for?

[MrMazak]

Cutter comp works with M2 I am sure. M1? don't know for sure.

[newguy81]

My H-15's all have M-2's. I have been adjusting all the positions each time I need to adjust my thread size. Very time consuming and error prone. I would like to know more about this. Thanks..

[MrMazak]

G40 cutter comp cancel
G41 cutter comp left
G42 cutter comp right

If G41/42 are used the control will use the diameter/2 in Tool Data for cutter size. Try the sample with different tool diameters and watch the movements of x-y it will move it in or out accordingly. G42 for starting at the top of the thread. G41 for starting at the bottom (climb milling).

[newguy81]

When I make changes to the tool data will it automatically pick up the change??

[MrMazak]

Yes