Used Milltronics Phase 1 - Nice or run like hell??

[Stuff-Builder]

I happened across e-bay item 7600555164

It's a Milltronics Phase 1 VMC with Centurion V control. What's the scoop on these machines? Any idea what vintage this critter is? Anyone used one?

What about the blown motherboard? Impossible to get or no big deal?

What about item 7600548613, the other Milltronics they have for sale? Better? Worse? Neither?

Not that I really have a place to put one of these, but bang for buck would be leaps above an old Boss or something. Provided I could get it running...

Scott

[One of Many]

Originally Posted by Stuff-Builder I happened across e-bay item 7600555164 It's a Milltronics Phase 1 VMC with Centurion V control. What's the scoop on these machines? Any idea what vintage this critter is? Anyone used one? What about the blown motherboard? Impossible to get or no big deal? What about item 7600548613, the other Milltronics they have for sale? Better? Worse? Neither? Not that I really have a place to put one of these, but bang for buck would be leaps above an old Boss or something. Provided I could get it running... Scott

This is a Partner 1, don't know where they get a phase 1. I doubt it is a single phase machine. I don't think they had Single phase spindle drives back when this was made.

I'd guess it to be from 1987.

I wonder who diagnosed it had a motherboard problem. There is not much on the MB for these machines. I'd be interested in knowing their definition of motherboard too. If it is the Acro motion controller or the Sim-drive, I'd say the price was already too high. It is not economical to upgrade to a hard drive and not much better to get another sim-drive card, IF they can even still support them.

The other machines description of a wiring problem contributing to it being under powered is odd. They know something is not right with it.


It may be worth 2g's for a gamble that there is only a bad sim-card battery and all it needs is a reload. Controller parts don't come cheap from OEM's, so there could be another $3000+ worth of parts required to make it run.

I certainly wouldn't buy it sight unseen unless you plan to fit it with another control. On those terms, I'd say the iron of an old Boss machine would be a better buy. At least with a lot of the older Boss machines, the control often died before the iron was too worn. On the Milltronics import iron and the rest of the driving elements may have taken a lot of abuse over the years it did run well.

The one we have very similar to this is a 1990. You can hear the Y-axis screw from 75ft. Amazingly it still makes parts within a couple thou.

DC

[single phase]

"The one we have very similar to this is a 1990. You can hear the Y-axis screw from 75ft. Amazingly it still makes parts within a couple thou."

You need to take the servo apart and clean the tach. I have the manual on that if you need it. It is a quick job and it will run quiet like it was new. IT will be more accurate too.


As for this machine being worth $2000, I think it is. Milltronics parts are not as expensive as most but better than that, you may change it to a hard drive and do away with the sim card. I would count on $1000+ worth of Milltronics tech support though. And do not use a dealer, go straight to the tech department at Milltronics. Find out if the motherboard is an old intel 486. If so you may be able to replace it for almost nothing.

It is true it is a bit of a gamble but not that bad. And I would take all the servos abort and clean them and the rest of the machine too.

Cheers
Dave

[One of Many]

Originally Posted by single phase "The one we have very similar to this is a 1990. You can hear the Y-axis screw from 75ft. Amazingly it still makes parts within a couple thou." You need to take the servo apart and clean the tach. I have the manual on that if you need it. It is a quick job and it will run quiet like it was new. IT will be more accurate too. Cheers Dave

Dave,

The screw noise is cause by the ball nut races and the fact that the screw is only supported on one end. In a long run it sounds funny as the screw changes pitch. Production won't shut it down. It runs as is well within our tolerance range. When it fails totally, we will replace it.

DC

[single phase]

Well, if it is not causing any problems, why change it.

[tsutt]

is it getting any oil? Todd

[One of Many]

Originally Posted by tsutt is it getting any oil? Todd

Yes, it is getting oil. It is just a little loose. Sounds like one of those whistles that changes pitch as the wire pulled in and out the end.

It has been making noise like this for better than 6 years!


DC