Retrofit Prolight 5000 (Benchman 5000) to run Mach

[Impyman18]

Hey guys and gals,

I'm looking to retrofit my newly aquired Prolight 5000 (Benchman 5000) to run Mach 3.

I received 3 whale3 drivers and a parallel breakout board with it.

I'd like to get some ideas if using these Whales would be the best route to take or buy newer drivers.

Spindle control is one of my concerns and not completely sure how to control it and get the speed control to Mach.

Thanks!






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[Fastest1]

Are you sure a Prolight and a Benchman are the same? I thought the Benchman had a full enclosure and tool changer.

Since you have everything there to get movement, I would try with what you have. I see the power supplies. How about a few more close ups of the electronics?

What issues are you having in regards to spindle control? Do you have it wired up and set up correctly in Mach? Relay control?

[Impyman18]

Are you sure a Prolight and a Benchman are the same? I thought the Benchman had a full enclosure and tool changer.

Since you have everything there to get movement, I would try with what you have. I see the power supplies. How about a few more close ups of the electronics?

What issues are you having in regards to spindle control? Do you have it wired up and set up correctly in Mach? Relay control?

Thanks for the reply Fastest

From what Ive found, the Benchman was made by Prolight. Same machine minus the ATC. My machine shipped with the enclosure yet was removed at some point.

Its currently run by an Acramatic 2100. It's pretty quirky and I'd rather update it before I loose a hardware component as well as making it a bit more streamlined.

I got 3 Whale3s and a breakout board with it but was leaning towards using currently supported hardware such as the Gecko 320x and a C11 but wanted other opinions.

C11 ? 6 axis, Multifunction CNC Breakout Board with Relay and Spindle Control | Automation Technology Inc

I wasn't sure if the breakout board would be able to control the onboard spindle controller.




Spindle Controller:




Main Board:





Servos:




Whale and current Drivers

[Fastest1]

I am sure the interface with the spindle control (Minarik) would be easy.

[Impyman18]

Ok guys,

I decided to go with the Gecko 320x's and a C11 BOB. I now have those on hand.

I plan to use the spindle motor, speed controller, servos, encoders, and PSU that are on the unit ATM


I plan to share as much info as I go along as this is a bit of a pain, well at least to me as I've never done much of this style work. Hopefully it will help others as they convert their older machines.

I've found that Intelitek, the company that purchased Light Machines, shares ZERO info about these older, non supported machines. They have but will NOT release any wiring info on them. Oh well...


Here's what I have in my machine:

Speed controller: Minarik Z1BOSS15AC-1Q-0596

Spindle Motor: Eastern Air DB34D-62a

Servos: Litton C23-L50W10M09

Encoders: Computer Optical Products CP 550-1000-LD 1396

PSU: Transformer:Toroid 5549 - Input: 110v AC Output: 55v AC
Choke: 7062

I've got a hold of most of the manufactures of the components to get their manuals for each unit.

I'm building a wiring diagram at the moment and will post it once I have it all together

[Impyman18]

Ok guys, I got most of the stuff that is not staying pulled out and wired up the PSU to test the output.

I created the wiring diagram for the servo PSU. Still working the the rest.

I also wired up the Gecko G320x to the C11 and a servo and encoder to the Gecko. Mach is installed on the PC. I don't seem to be getting any signals to the board C11. I'm pretty sure they are making contact as Mach resets when the power is pulled from the C11.

When I boot up the C11 almost all LEDS light up and when Mach loads the input LEDS all go off. I can also hear the relays click once Mach loads.

I've got a 5v and 12v PSU on the way to power the Minarik and C11 outputs.

[Fastest1]

Charge pump?

[Impyman18]

Charge pump?

I actually disabled it. I forgot to add the pic of when Mach loads.

The pic with just the USB power LED is when only USB power is added and non other.

The pic attached is when 5v is added and after Mach loads

[Impyman18]

Ok guys and gals,

I got the machine running. Well, all Axis. I canned the OEM encoders and went with AMT-102v's and that solved all my pulsing. I'd still like to test the factory encoders at a later date.

I now need to wire in my speed controller for the spindle motor.

I've got 2 relays on the C11 I can use but from the Speed Controller diagram, it appears I need 3 and I'd like to use one to trigger a larger relay used to provide AC power to the speed controller.

Should I use the floating voltage signal or potentiometer?

Are the VPOTs only needed with the potentiometer? They are already wired to my spindle more when I got it but wasn't sure if it's better to go with the potentiometer or 0-10v.


Info on the speed controller:
http://www.minarikdrives.com/descrip...t/250-0224.pdf

I'm open to opinions.

Thanks!



A video of the machine running.

[Fastest1]

Congrats. It looks like it is running smoothly too. It will be a nice machine.

[arizonavideo]

Must be nice to see it run.

What frame size is the spindle motor? Do you know much about it?

[Impyman18]

Feels great. I still need to fine tune it, rewire control box, and get the spindle running with Mach but I'm pretty happy so far.


Here's the spec sheet on the motor.

Click to enlarge

[diyengineer]

I have the ProLight 3000 lathe that I've been thinking about converting..

[Fastest1]

Lets see the right side of the miniark. I want to see where the pot hooks up.

[Impyman18]

Lets see the right side of the miniark. I want to see where the pot hooks up.

Not sure where you'd like a pic of. Can you explain a little more?

I have the ProLight 3000 lathe that I've been thinking about converting..

I'd do a conversion again. My biggest issue was the encoders. Once I decided to get new ones all problems were solved.

Must be nice to see it run.

What frame size is the spindle motor? Do you know much about it?

I just noticed it was you Arizonavideo. If i get a G0704 I'll surely get your mount kit. They look great!





More great news!

I got the speed controller figured out and wired up.

[Fastest1]

When I posted for the extra pic, I was looking at the minarik catalog trying to find that model. I finally realized you had unplugged a stackable component. Confusing my ability to determine which model you had.

[Impyman18]

When I posted for the extra pic, I was looking at the minarik catalog trying to find that model. I finally realized you had unplugged a stackable component. Confusing my ability to determine which model you had.

I see. Thanks for trying.

I did a little cleaning up of the wiring lastnight. Sadly, this machine will be put up for sale once I get it all cleaned up and running again. I purchased a 2nd hand UMC-10 and the wife says no to 2 machines. I was really looking forward to building the PDB and using TTS holders.

[Fastest1]

Oh how I pity you now! A UMC 10? 1 of Dave's machines?

[diyengineer]

Public Surplus: Auction #1328701

Kinda last minute but if anyone wants one..

[Impyman18]

Oh how I pity you now! A UMC 10? 1 of Dave's machines?

Yes a Fadec UMC-10. One of Dave's machines. It's gonna be rough but I'm sure I'll survive with it.