Build Thread - Emco 320

[Chaz]

I managed to pick up 2 x 120 and 1 x 320 Emcos recently. The 320 and one of the 120s have failed in some shape or form.

I am tackling the Emco 320 first.

I am also currently restricted to 220V single phase, so need to be inventive on some solutions.

I've stripped out the Siemens control system and also the Siemens Simodrive 611 which provides power to the spindle and two axis motors. These axis motors are large but only push out 1NM of torque. Interesting that they have 2 sets of encoders, one goes to the drive, one goes to the controller.

The Spindle is a Siemens AC Permanent Magnet motor with encoder feedback. There is no easy way to drive this on single phase and I believe the main issue on this lathe was the Simodrive 611 system which had a fault. I am going to try Yaskawa's largest single phase VFD they do which is a 4KW unit, albeit without any encoder feedback (in the motor itself). There is still spindle feedback on the spindle itself. Ironically the spec of the motor says 4KW but needs 32A, odd calculation.

I know that Marty has done some of the Emco ATC macros, possible to share any of them please?

I suspect Ill need an Eth1616 board which I dont have in stock. I *could* do it without however then I wont be able to drive everything - the tailstock is also driven somehow.

I've gone for very cheap and cheerful 400W servos. The T3D 'series' that has been discussed here before, made by HLT-CNC. I run 750W versions on my 5 Axis mill and they work OK.

I did struggle to get them to run on Centroid (on the lathe) but after some messing about, have got them to run. Currently I have the X axis running up to 5800mm/min, just under the 6000mm/min which is the spec of the machine.

[Chaz]

Some images and a vid of the X running as a test.

[Chaz]

Emco320XRunning.mp4

(5.02 MiB) Downloaded 17 times

[cnckeith]

cool! you are making progress! thanks for posting the video. which drives/motors did you go with?

[Chaz]

cool! you are making progress! thanks for posting the video. which drives/motors did you go with?

The T3D servos from HLTCNC. They were dirt cheap on Amazon, I think I ended up buying 60% of the 20 or so they had in stock over the last few months. I mean, £125 ish per motor and servo drive cant be sniffed at for 400W with 750W only being around £10-15 more.

[Chaz]

Some progress. I bought a Yaskawa GA500 VFD for the Permanent Motor Servo motor. A few hours later, it wasnt running then managed to get some settings that it's OK with (I have single phase only).

Managed to get the chuck and tailstock pnematics to work. On the Centroid setup, tailstock only has a binary on / off. There isnt an option for push and pull, is there?

Struggling with the encoder. I dont have the spec, looks like a ROD 426 but im getting wacky readings. Will relook at it tomorrow.

All axis working, did a test cut without the spindle. Spindle is now speed controlled and starting remotely. Slow progress.

[ShawnM]

Some progress. I bought a Yaskawa GA500 VFD for the Permanent Motor Servo motor. A few hours later, it wasnt running then managed to get some settings that it's OK with (I have single phase only).

Keep in mind that if you are wiring a 3 phase VFD with only single phase power you are losing about 40% of the rated power.

[Chaz]

Some progress. I bought a Yaskawa GA500 VFD for the Permanent Motor Servo motor. A few hours later, it wasnt running then managed to get some settings that it's OK with (I have single phase only).

Keep in mind that if you are wiring a 3 phase VFD with only single phase power you are losing about 40% of the rated power.

Understood. I dont need the full HP, dont have much option till I get 3 phase.

[suntravel]

Tailstock ON/OFF on one Output can control Push/Pull with a 5/2 Valve

Uwe

[Chaz]

Tailstock ON/OFF on one Output can control Push/Pull with a 5/2 Valve

Uwe

Thanks. I'd prefer not to change the valves etc. It would be easier to run some custom outputs / code. That said, my quill creeps forward when air is applied, even if the valve is closed. Does anyone know if, on the Emco, when you retract the quill, should/could it just remain active (retract) or might that damage the quill? I could turn the pressure down.