Fanuc DC Servo Question

[waleed alhadidi]

Hello everyone
I am new to servo control and all my experience is about steppers so forgive me for the stupid questions.
I have a machine with Fanuc DC servo motors and I want to control them with a servo drive that is compatible with mach3 (accepts pulse and signal inputs).
The motors don't have encoders but tachometers instead. So I'm thinking that I should replace the tachometers with encoders.
The question is : Is this possible?
And If yes what drive is and encoder are suitable?
And can any DC drive control any dc motor?

The motor is A06B-0645-B081 , 8.8N.m , 2000 rpm , 140V , 14.2A permanent magnet.

Thanks in advance,
Waleed.

[Al_The_Man]

Modern drives do not use the tachometer, there are drives out there that should work.
I believe Larkin is developing a higher current drive.
You will have to replace the tach with encoders.
DC motors are the most flexible out there as they do not need external commutation.
Al.

[waleed alhadidi]

Thanks Al.

can any DC drive control any dc motor?

Do you mean the answer for this question is YES?
What is suitable for the motor? Viper 200 or Viper 250?
And what type of encoder do I have to buy?

[Al_The_Man]

Yes, You can even use many BLDC drives to drive a brushed DC motor, I would send a PM direct to Larry (Larken) and run it by him, I have not used these drives myself.
TTL Differential type encoders are the way to go if the drive accepts them.
Al.

[waleed alhadidi]

Thanks Al
These information are very helpful

[waleed alhadidi]

Just one more silly question.
Is the (permanent magnet)=(brushless) ?
and what type is my fanuc motor ?
Because the drives are either (brushed) or (brushless) and the only thing I know about my motor is that it is permanent magnet.

[Al_The_Man]

Both Brush and brushless have permanent magnet the brushed have the magnetic field stator the brushless P.M. rotor.
Fanuc DC brushed motors usually have a yellow cap, the AC Brushless have a red cap.
Al.

[waleed alhadidi]

but my motor has a black cap. But I can tell you it has only 2 power wires would that be brushed?

[waleed alhadidi]

and it is written on it (EXCIT PERM MAGNET)

[waleed alhadidi]

OMG I found in this link http://fanuc.cnc-electronics.com/motor-encoder.html that black cap motors may be AC or DC.
So how should I know AC or DC? Does the two power wires make any clue? Does that mean it is DC brushed?

[Al_The_Man]

Two wires usually indicate DC brushed, but if you look at the motor you can readily see the brush holder caps that unscrew.
You may have 4 or 8.
The very early black cap DC were Gettys motors that Fanuc initially used.
Al.

[waleed alhadidi]

Thanks Al now it's clear. I'll see the brushes.