Viper 200 Initial Impressions and Experiences

[sbalder]

Nice job, looks clean. What program is that running ?

Thanks! The software is Turbocnc set to boot when the computer turns on from the USB drive. Once booted the USB drive can be removed and used to transfer files from the design pc.

Besides the fact that it is the software I started with, I have adopted the personal philosophy that cnc controls should be simple and embedded like the programming on my microwave oven. I've grown a hobby into a part time hobby business and I will be selling this machine. Keeping costs in line while still not limiting my customer base is important. With this setup the buyer is guaranteed a great working system with an easy to use interface. If they ever want to run any of the other pc-based cnc programs like emc, mach, camsoft, etc. all that is needed is to add a hard drive and operating system.

It's funny because the Windows-based programs offer some beautiful features that make the DOS environment of Turbocnc look quaint. But... the user interface of Turbocnc compared to the original controls on a Bridgeport Boss (or even the Milltronics Centurion V control on this machine) is like the difference between the Wright Brother's Flyer and a 747!

[bbrreid]

Nice looking job
I cant even get a reply from Viking.I want to upgrade my 4 Boxford lathes that have
SEM motors mt30e4-52 with Norwin drives which I did want to replace with the Viking but now having second thoughts after reading your post on setting them up etc.
I dont know much about electronics so what chance do I have getting them up and running.
I need one fixed ASAP for a long running job I am about to start and the Boxford would take the load of my Mazak lathe.
can any one suggest a good drive for these motors . 140v dc brushed.
spec at www.sem.co.uk

[sbalder]

I did want to replace with the Viking but now having second thoughts after reading your post on setting them up etc.

Instead if Viking do you mean Viper?

Anyway my post was not meant to discourage anyone away from these drives, but rather to show my experiences. Overall I am satisfied with the value of this product for the money and would/will purchase these again. I don't feel like they were significantly more difficult to set up than the stepper drives I have used in the past. With any step and direction type drive you need a power supply and a signal source. With servos you will also need an encoder properly hooked up and with these drives you will need a pc for tuning.

My philosophy on retrofits has been to rip nearly everything out and start fresh. There are other on this forum with good experience keeping older control electronics and fitting in new drives. In your case I would seek out someone experienced with the controls on your machine to see if step-direction drives like this would work. Good luck on your project!

[bbrreid]

Hi,
thanks for the reply,you are right I did mean Viper.
everything is in place power supply Heidenhain encoders attached to leadscrews, Mach3 ,
and busy playing around with Skyko cards and getting nowhere fast,the motors are ok the drives work sometimes but dont talk to Mach3 without the Skyko boards and I dont have time to fanny about with this its not my hobby I just want the boards plug them in tune them and start producing components

[Larken]

i cant even get a reply from viking.i want to upgrade my 4 boxford lathes that have

I reply to all my emails. Did you send it to Larken@storm.ca ?

Let me know if you need any drives.

Larry Kenny

[bbrreid]

Hi Larry,
yes I did but I may have made a typing error this is the basic email I posted :-
Hi,
I am in the process of upgrading my Boxford ACL cnc lathe which has
2 OFF SEM servo motors model No. MT30E4-52 info at
http://www.sem.co.uk/files/brochure/MT30E4.pdf
with old Norwin drives info at www.norwin.co.uk
I will be running it from a PC with Mach 3 software as the old ANC control has expired.
I have 4 machines for upgrade and need at least one up and running ASAP.
can you please advise and a price and delivery to
Dundee Scotland
Best regards
Brian Reid
brian.reid@fsmail.net

[Larken]

What powersupply voltage are you running on the Boxford ACL cnc lathe ?
The Viper 200 is rated at 25 amps@ 180 volts.

I checked and didn't recieve an email before, but i received one from you today.

That link to the Norwin servo amps gave me an idea for a better mounting of my drives using a plate on the side for rack mounting. I will post pics of the new drive.

Larry K

[bbrreid]

Larry,
not at workshop today but I have some pics of the wiring for the machine here
http://www.cnczone.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3667

I'm not very good with electronics. the Boxford is a 3 phase machine if you look through the drawings you may get an idea from them.
2 of the machines have a gearbox with a normal spindle motor the other 2 have
a large servo motor and drive. the machines with the gearbox have been updated to encoders which are on the end of the ballscrews the others have glass scales.
I woul like to start with the encoder machine first, I think this might be the simplest. I will gather more info on Monday when I'm back at work.
Brian

[bbrreid]

Thought I'd add some pics of the Boxford
this is the one without the encoders on the end of the ballscrew
and the rack removed

[Larken]

Good pics , but I think Steve balders thread is getting is getting hijacked.
It may be best to start a new thread about your lathe.

[sbalder]

I went to machine my first parts today and had a drive crap out on me. Previously I had only set up the scale in the software and used the jog functions for some small manual machining. Upon setting up the program it seemed like the y-axis was off. Whenever I would command the axis to a position and then back to zero it would overshoot by about 1/16" and the whole thing seemed jittery. I hooked the serial cable up and tried adjusting the parameters. During this testing the fuse blew and the drive has a permanent short that will blow any fuse hooked up to it. Suspecting a bad motor as a cause I hooked the cables up so the x-axis drive was controlling the y-axis motor and the y-axis motor then worked fine. So I have a bad drive that I need to send in for service. Kind of disappointing.

[Larken]

The software version in your drives didnt protect from over current very well, but my new version 2.3 does.
I will send you a new drive and updated chips for your other drives on monday. You can return the old one and old chips .

What do you have the P,I,D and L setting set at and what is the power supply voltage ?

LK