Re: Denford Orac Turret working on Mach 3 macro

Also, for anyone looking to convert their Orac and turret... I originally got my machine and turret working under Mach3, in the last couple of weeks I've swapped it over to Centroid Acorn, everything still works and Centroid seems to be a far more capable system (supports constant-speed turning, etc ...
Wed 04 Oct , 2017 17:31 pm
Forum: Orac
Replies: 42
Views: 106897
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Re: Denford Orac Turret working on Mach 3 macro

Andy, start by confirming that each tool position matches the logic in the tool table. Manually power the turret to each position in-turn and write down the Hi or Lo state of each of the three data lines.
It appears that Denford may have used two different encoder wheels (the logic table that I ...
Wed 04 Oct , 2017 17:27 pm
Forum: Orac
Replies: 42
Views: 106897
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Re: Can I use an inverter with my easymill 3?

Sorry this is so late, I just checked and yes, both the motor and the mill are marked 220v on my machine. I'm in the US, 3-phase here is available in 220 or 440v, but not in my home shop. My mill gets 240v 1-phase from a dryer circuit, and I've got two VFD's to make it 3-phase, one for the spindle ...
Wed 04 Dec , 2013 5:51 am
Replies: 13
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Re: Can I use an inverter with my easymill 3?

My motor looks identical to the one in the photos. Pretty sure that the dataplate on my motor and on the mill are both marked 220v instead of 440v, I'll confirm when I get home tonight.

cheers,
c
Tue 19 Nov , 2013 0:16 am
Replies: 13
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Re: Automatic toolchanger on Denford Easimill 3

It's been a few weeks and no stickers (or even a reply) from Denford UK, or my local Denford rep in AZ, USA. Oh well, if I can't get factory stickers, I guess I'll just have to reproduce the 1980's vintage logo myself. I scanned the mill's original panel on my flatbed scanner, then brought it into ...
Fri 19 Jul , 2013 19:51 pm
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Re: Automatic toolchanger on Denford Easimill 3

Indeed it did :)

I've turned my attention to the pendant, I relocated the switches since the ATC was blocking them. The new panel is made of .080 aluminum (same as the old one), but is powder-coated rather than having a decal on it. I was just about to start tracing the Denford logo so I could have ...
Mon 01 Jul , 2013 3:35 am
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Re: Automatic toolchanger on Denford Easimill 3

ATC is finished and working. Here's the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xvxwUqdcWg

cheers,
c
Mon 24 Jun , 2013 3:57 am
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Re: Easimill Riser Block and LinuxCNC conversion

Junker398,
do you have any drawings or additional information about your riser? When I've measured and calculated travels, I came up with 6" as being the optimal height, looks like you did too. Any changes you'd make if doing it again?

cheers,
c
Mon 03 Jun , 2013 20:16 pm
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Re: Can I use an inverter with my easymill 3?

I've got the same exact machine, also running Mach3 since the original firmware on the EPROM's deteriorated over time. Denford apparently hasn't saved any of the old firmware?! Had to replace a bunch of perfectly good boards in an almost-new machine. :evil: There is no reason to replace the drives ...
Mon 03 Jun , 2013 3:04 am
Replies: 13
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Automatic toolchanger on Denford Easimill 3

I've been building an automatic toolchanger for my Easimill 3. It changed it's first tool yesterday under human control, I still need to write a macro so that it can be done by the computer. Here's a video if anyone's interested.

https://coreyrenner.tumblr.com/post/51740802522/the-automatic-tool ...
Thu 30 May , 2013 23:56 pm
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Re: Threading on orac - help please

Why not post the program that you're trying to run, someone might be able to spot the error (if any).

cheers,
v
Mon 19 Mar , 2012 2:21 am
Forum: Orac
Replies: 8
Views: 11317
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Orac Changer Turret mounting plate Height adjustment

The Orac turret that I bought recently looks like it's never been installed on a lathe. It came with a mounting plate that is about 4.50mm thick and has a hole pattern that matches the hole pattern of the turret itself. When the turret is mounted without the plate, the tools are about 3.50mm too low ...
Mon 12 Mar , 2012 18:44 pm
Forum: Orac
Replies: 0
Views: 3838
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Re: Orac ATC turret, 19mm round tool holders

Perfect! Exactly what I was looking for.

Thank you,
v
Wed 29 Feb , 2012 6:55 am
Forum: Orac
Replies: 2
Views: 5165
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Orac ATC turret, 19mm round tool holders

I just got my Orac turret working properly under Mach3. I need a set of bushings to load into the (4) 19mm holes in the ATC turret to hold drills, endmills, etc. Since I've got to make them anyway, I'd prefer to have them match the style of the factory parts as closely as possible. Does anyone have ...
Tue 28 Feb , 2012 17:12 pm
Forum: Orac
Replies: 2
Views: 5165
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Re: I need help with an 8 station Orac Tool Turret

Thanks for the info about the M06 syntax, I didn't know that.

Ok, Ive got this thing running perfectly. I've added a delay so that the changer runs on for 700ms after it finds the correct position. This allows the ratchet to index. Mine works fine with a delay down to around 500ms, but 700 gives me ...
Tue 28 Feb , 2012 3:35 am
Forum: Orac
Replies: 42
Views: 106897
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Re: I need help with an 8 station Orac Tool Turret

angel-tech wrote:i think mach turn needs the tool offset added to the tool number.
Is this the reason for the repeating tool number? IE: M06T0303 ?

cheers,
v
Mon 27 Feb , 2012 20:38 pm
Forum: Orac
Replies: 42
Views: 106897
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Re: I need help with an 8 station Orac Tool Turret

Ok, the line:

'Code "G4 P4.0" 'Wait for the tool to rotate past the sensor

appears to be crap. The correct way to call for a delay in VBscript is:

sleep(xx)

Where xx is the delay in milliseconds. I have the script running correctly on my turret with a 700ms delay after the sensor trips. I'm ...
Mon 27 Feb , 2012 19:53 pm
Forum: Orac
Replies: 42
Views: 106897
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Re: I need help with an 8 station Orac Tool Turret

Guys,
I'm mostly-working now. Maybe we can fine-tune this a bit. In Max's macro, the input #'s that were chosen are in the opposite order from what Denford used. So:

Sensor Lead REF Macro
outer blue E Input3
middle white F Input2
inner mauve G Input1

Let's see how badly that chart gets mangled ...
Mon 27 Feb , 2012 18:37 pm
Forum: Orac
Replies: 42
Views: 106897
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Re: I need help with an 8 station Orac Tool Turret

Thanks Max, this was just what I needed.

cheers,
v
Mon 27 Feb , 2012 2:49 am
Forum: Orac
Replies: 42
Views: 106897
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Re: I need help with an 8 station Orac Tool Turret

Bradders,
I don't suppose you have the blueprints for the Orac changer itself do you? I'd like to build one from scratch. Not having to design it from scratch as well would save me a lot of time.

thanks,
v
Wed 08 Dec , 2010 21:22 pm
Forum: Orac
Replies: 42
Views: 106897
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