Hardinge Accuslide Gang Tool Lathe Acorn Conversion

[slodat]

As the subject says I have a Hardinge lathe with an Upgrade Technologies Accuslide gang tool CNC conversion installed on it with Fagor 8025TG control. Plan is to remove the Fagor control and servos and sell to help offset the cost of the conversion. This will be similar to my mill’s Acorn Installation.

I believe the existing servos are a NEMA 23 mounting pattern, although the shaft looks larger than 1/4”. I’ll know more about that when I get into it. I think I’m going to go with DMM DYN4 drives and their NEMA 23 servo.

The lathe has a Baldor 5hp spindle motor and a corresponding Yaskawa VFD. I want to power the machine with 240v single phase. Plan to use a Hitachi SJ-P1 for the spindle drive. I’m quite happy with how this drive is working out on my mill.

I did some searching on here and I see other Hardinge conversions. This is my first lathe conversion and my first cnc lathe. I welcome any input or advice.

[roundel325]

Subscribed! Looking forward to your build. I have an old lathe like this that I want to CNC with Acorn, but I don't have the Accuslide components. I've been watching the used market for just a cross slide but no luck so far.

[martyscncgarage]

Should be a straight forward conversion. Which Yaskawa VFD is on it? Some will work on single phase.
Centroid supports gang tool lathes
Good luck, Will watch your build thread.
Marty

[slodat]

Drive is a CIMR-PCU23P7.

[martyscncgarage]

Don't know if or how well it would perform. Don't see an operator panel. I would agree, go with what you know...

[cncsnw]

In general, PC3 inverters are usable, and will work on single phase power.

In this particular example, the missing keypad/display unit would be inconvenient. You could hook your control wires up to it and hope, but if you needed to change anything (e.g. max frequency, accel/decel times, etc.) you would be out of luck.

I have found that the connection from the analog output of an Allin1DC unit to the analog input of a PC3 inverter is prone to oscillation and distortion at lower voltages (lower speeds). This can be reliably resolved with an R-C snubber circuit across the analog terminals.

See the attached schematic (from an Allin1DC system) for examples of PC3 inverter interface wiring, and of the analog snubber circuit.

[slodat]

Thank you for the info. Helped make me sure I want to install a new spindle drive.

[slodat]

Got the lathe unloaded off the trailer and roughly in its resting place. It will stay on the cribbing until the controls are installed. Overall it’s in excellent condition. Was quite dirty. Still some cleaning left. Starting to sort out the existing control circuits. Most of the new control components are ordered. The existing Accuslide CNC conversion mechanical components look to be in great condition. I’ll have to source or make a few way cover parts that are missing. I have a 3 jaw chuck on the way.



I sorted out how to move the Accuslide away from the spindle. This will allow me full use of the X axis travel.

[roundel325]

Nice work! What is your cleaning solvent of choice for de-schmooing and old machine without upsetting the existing paint? Mine looks more like your Tree did (oil & coolant) than this lathe (dust & dirt), but I thought I'd ask here.

[slodat]

I use simple green on the paint and a degreaser called oil eater in places where the simple green doesn't get it done.