Tree 425 Retrofit

[cfordyce05]

Well, an update here. I purchased a Delta Tau UMAC. I have the enclosure off the back off the mill so I can push it the mill against a wall and I'm ready to start cleaning and making sure everything is OK mechanically. I have a PC to hook the controller to and in the near future I'm hoping to get some motors running. By near future I mean it will probably be a month or two. I've started school full time again so my evenings are going to be shot... So far I've only paid $200 for the whole thing after the $600 from Dynapath, that includes the controller. I'm pretty happy about that! I'll try and get some pictures up soon. The only camera I had available was on my cell phone and it's dead right now.

Casey

[cfordyce05]

Sorry about the info lag folks. I haven't had much time this term. The project is still plugging along. I've started the re-wiring phase. Most of my time so far has been preparing the power and layout of the shop. I promise I'll get photos up for this project eventually! I scored a brand spanking new 15HP Phase-A-Matic for $700, so I've been working on getting that set up.

On a side note, I have the Dynapath Delta 40 controller that I'd like to sell. I had it checked out by Dynapath and it just needs a power supply. PM me if interested and I can send some pictures. Make me an offer! I also have the CRT monitor/HMI and video card that appear to be in working condition.

I'm going to be putting a panel mountable LCD touchscreen in the original enclosure along with some hard-wired buttons.

[elnerdo]

pm sent.

[cfordyce05]

Wow! Almost exactly a year since I last posted in this thing. I lot has happened between then and now. I got the enclosure wired except for the I/O. I'm currently getting the shop prepared electrically and putting an epoxy coating on the floor. Once that is complete (next couple of weeks) I will move the Tree to it's final resting place, hook it up, and see if it smokes! I've attached some pictures of the enclosure. The first picture is how it currently sits with the Delta Tau UMAC. The last two are what it looked like when I got it.

[lavrgs]

That's looking pretty darn Great!!!

[Steveoo]

Got A question for anyone out their. I have a tree 425 mill that has had many electrical problems. Mostly in the spindal drive, but some in the computer area. Had anyone changed the complete electrical to a up dated system, and if so what did you use and where did you get it. My machine is in real good mechanical cond. but need so serious electrical repair. Any ideas would give me a place to start.

[lavrgs]

This forum is a good place to start - I might suggest starting a new thread and we'll get ya going...
Which spindle motor do you have? Baldor Servo motors for the axes?

[Steveoo]

it has baldor drives on the 3 axis. They are to only thing on the mill that has not give me trouble. I do think the belts are worn some, had to slow it down from the fractory settings so it would not over shoot it's stoping point and go into a fault mode. I think the spindal drive is gone out again, just by what i can tell so far.

[lavrgs]

When I refurbished my machine I completely removed all the electronics because it was easier than trying to figure out IF anything worked...I was able to find a new old stock CT Emerson Unidrive (spindle drive) and it works great!!! I used Gecko G320 servo drives, there are some compromises - they are limited to 80 volts which slows the axes... but I don't have a problem with that. I re- used the 3 Baldor servo motors. Viper drives may be a better option for the servo drives. The basic components include; a breakout board, power supply, computer, monitor and VFD the cost was about $1000. Other options include a kits from Machmotion or Centroid.

With all that said, you may be able to Tune your system - the over-travel (fault) may be something as simple as debris on the encoder or getting the servo drives properly tuned...

HTH,

Bill

[Michael M]

Steve, I've put Centroid/Ajax controls on both a 325 and my current 425. The 325 ended up with a CT Emerson similar to what Bill used, and I'm still using the OEM Yaskawa G5 VFD on the 425.

I reused some of the electrical components (contactors, transformers, terminal strips, etc) but ended up entirely redoing the cabinets. That's kind of a pain when you aren't really sure what you are doing but at least when you are done and it all works you should have a very good idea what all those things actually do if you need to trouble shoot in the future.

cheers,
Michael

[cfordyce05]

Has anyone here made new flex conduit from the servos to the enclosure? Mine are pretty bad and I can't figure out a replacement for the washers welded onto the ends of the conduit to hold them to the fittings. I was thinking if I couldn't find anything, I may try and weld standard conduit fittings to the backs of the existing fittings. I still have to be able to screw a fitting into the side of the Y-axis, which is a straight thread. All the conduit fittings I've found are tapered threads. Thanks for your help.

Casey

[lavrgs]

Google "Liquid tight" - they have items that may do what you need