Do all Starturn lathes require the external black box ?

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triac
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Do all Starturn lathes require the external black box ?

Post by triac » Sat 08 Nov , 2014 17:10 pm

Hi all

Thinking of buying a Starturn lathe, do they all require the external black box if
not converted to a modern control system ?

Thanks, Emgee

TDIPower
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Hardware/Software: Starturn 5 (sort of running, I will get this done!)
Lathe cam designer V1.11
Quickturn 2D Design
FANUC offline and online programs.
Microrouter Pro NS V5 (microstep)
VR2 and VR5
Boxford VMC260
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Re: Do all Starturn lathes require the external black box ?

Post by TDIPower » Mon 10 Nov , 2014 23:48 pm

The lathe box just has the spindle motor, and the 2 stepper motors for moving the cutter across the saddle or the saddle along the bed. In my case It also has the ATC post. So as such is 'dumb'
All the control is done through the 'Black Box' I was quite shocked by the size of it when I picked it up. I had thought the control would be mounted in the back of the Lathe box (like on the mircomill/turn units) alas it's not.

Pete

triac
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Posts: 104
Joined: Fri 15 Dec , 2006 20:18 pm
Location: West Norfolk

Re: Do all Starturn lathes require the external black box ?

Post by triac » Tue 11 Nov , 2014 16:00 pm

Thanks Pete for the info.
Can you describe the connecting leads needed and what type ?
If a Tutor is present does it plug direct to the Black box ?

Thanks again, Emgee

TDIPower
CNC Guru
CNC Guru
Posts: 613
Joined: Tue 29 Apr , 2014 18:38 pm
Hardware/Software: Starturn 5 (sort of running, I will get this done!)
Lathe cam designer V1.11
Quickturn 2D Design
FANUC offline and online programs.
Microrouter Pro NS V5 (microstep)
VR2 and VR5
Boxford VMC260
Techsoft 2d Design tools V1 > V2
ProDesktop
Fusion 360
Deskproto

Re: Do all Starturn lathes require the external black box ?

Post by TDIPower » Wed 12 Nov , 2014 21:58 pm

I can only talk about the Starturn 5 I have so it may be different on other versions

There is a single 25way RS232 on the box, this goes to an RS232 on the PC (It is reportedly better to run from genuine RS232 rather than a USB to RS232 converter)
If you have the tutor keyboard this plugs into the PC again on an RS232 (same issue re USB>RS232 converter)

The black box has a large multi-pin plug (Harting connector) an about 1.5m of cable that plugs into the back of the machine. It ads about 8 inches to the depth as it comes straight out rather than at an angle.

Pete

triac
CNC Expert
CNC Expert
Posts: 104
Joined: Fri 15 Dec , 2006 20:18 pm
Location: West Norfolk

Re: Do all Starturn lathes require the external black box ?

Post by triac » Thu 13 Nov , 2014 10:38 am

Hi Pete

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

Emgee

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