Overcoming Control Obsolescence
As many in the industry can attest, the available solutions to
such typical control obsolescence problems are not always entirely
satisfactory.
Buying a new and comparable CNC mill with the necessary features
can be a prohibitive capital expense for a job shop the size of H.W.
Christes, especially if that large an outlay turns out to have been
avoidable after all. The other available solution for replacement of an
outdated CNC is
a machine and/or retrofit; but experience demonstrates that such
retrofit
projects can turn into piece-meal efforts with uneven results.
Unfortunately, though many CNC control-retrofits are available on
the market, the job of successfully matching machine, motion systems,
servo
systems, CPU's and PLC I/O boards into a unified end-result that is
easy
to operate in is a real challenge.
This fact was apparent to the engraving shop, too.
"What we needed was a real comprehensive CNC control solution,"
Cannon explains, "that would allow us to run all of our CAD/CAM
programs... and still
provide that all-important ease-of-operator-use-factor." After all,
what
good is the fanciest CNC machine tool setup if no one can operate it
but
a systems engineer?
The shop was pleasantly surprised to learn that an answer to
their mill-control problem was actually close at hand. Luckily,
the man who serviced the Sharnoa mill in question... Doug Laursen of
Machines in Motion, Chino Hills, CA... was able to furnish such a
package.
The real bonus: the new control system has doubled that
particular
vertical mill's productivity in the process.
More Than a Retrofit
"We now have a Centroid M-400 control package on that very same
Sharnoa vertical mill," Cannon reports happily. "It runs all our 3-or-4
axis CAD/CAM routines, including Gibbs and Mastercam."
The Centroid unit is a ‘bolt-on', pre-wired, PC based control
panel that adjusts to operator positioning. The M-400 model features a
very clean, sealed keyboard, color LCD screen, and electronic handwheel
among its user-friendly controls.
"Memory is no longer a limitation," says Mike Hiner, one of the
shop's engravers. This is possible because the Centroid system has its
own built-in hard drive, 3.5" disk drive, and RS-232 coupling."
"I used to have to run up to my office for programming," Hiner
explains, "and found that the mill was idle more than it was running.
With the new control,
everything is right here, and I can do all programming and milling on
the
spot. That's lots more efficient."
The most complicated CAD/CAM part-programs may be now loaded by
an operator directly into the Centroid control panel by popping in a
floppy disk;
or alternatively, jobs can be downloaded from another PC via a RS-232
port
connection.
Graphical G-code programming and standard G-codes are also built
into the control.
The shop's operators have flourished comfortably with the new
control without having to "master ancient Greek," according to Hiner.
This is in large
part due to the simplicity of the system, coupled with Centroid's
easy-to-follow training videos.
M-400 Milling Control
The shop's new M-400 milling control is one of several models
that Centroid, of Howard, PA, produces for use on CNC knee mills, bed
mills, and machining centers. Founded in 1980, Centroid designs
and manufactures motion control devices with stepper or servo motors
and control, low and
high power drives, and stand-along and PC-based components.
Two other Centroid models, the M-15 and M-39, offer controls for
mills in slightly different formats.
Special Milling Controls
"The results we have is a fully-CNC mill with capabilities that
have greatly expanded the jobs we can do." Cannon emphasizes.
The shop floor programming that Centroid's software employs has
canned cycles for various geometries: graphics with 2D and 3D; and
zoom, pan, and rotate commands. Off-line programming software is also
available. Computer-controlled spindle, flood, mist, and lube are
incorporated function.
Mastercam, a CAD/CAM software well known in the industry, is
included in this control to create toolpaths. Automatic G-codes
generations, or the ready of DXF,IGES,CADL and ASCII file formats are
other parts of Centroid's contribution to the revitalized mill.
Old Mill, New Life
"Now our trusty old mill has all the macros," Cannon reports on
new CNC control. "We can easily create a subroutine out of any program,
mill the
same program at any number of different locations, or copy repetitive
toolpaths
to save lots of mid-numbing programming time." Errors are reduced as
results,
naturally.
Likewise, the Centroid control works with coordinate systems to
set up vise with easy menus, provides offsets for up to 6 fixtures,
sets travel limits, and remembers all zero positions (even if powers is
lost). It also uses a fixed machine home position for easy of use.
Unlimited Part Program Size
The new controls' 600+ megabytes of storage allows unlimited
program size, thus eliminating the memory limitations imposed by many
similar CNC controls. For example, 3D surfacing is possible without the
need for DNC dripfeed,
permitting continuous milling at 600 blocks per second.
Additional options that may be included in a Centroid control
installation include digitizing software, utilizing a touch probe to
digitize parts...turning the CNC mill into a copier. "With the
digitizer you don't need an external PC to store information or output
to CAD/CAM. Better yet, you can digitize parts, then mill them," one
operator commented.
Two types of probes are available with cable and stylus:
conductive and nonconductive. These may be used as reference tools or
fixed detectors. With the optional probing cycles, tool
measurements are automated, and time is saved setting up parts, as the
system finds the center of bosses, bores, slots, webs and pockets, as
well as part corners.
Machines
in Motion's experience in CNC control replacement can benefit your
business. Call us (714) 528-7061 |
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Centroid CNC Retrofit by Machines in Motion, Inc.
Contact us directly or Email us at Centroid.controls@gmail.com
(c) Copyright 2019 Machines in Motion