280 VS CNC Help please

richmond100 · Post by **richmond100** » Thu 03 Apr , 2008 20:11 pm

Hi, I have been offered a 280 VS cnc at what seems good money.

However, I need to know the type of CNC control system that this lathe uses. I have seen pics and it appears that servo motors are intact and connected to the carriage and cross slide, so I am assuming that control by something like MACH 3 is possible ( eventually ) ??

I need to make a decision on this lathe by 9am in the morning ( unfortunate i Know ) so any prompt help would be appreciated. I will be online all evening and if anyone can help please send me with a pm with your tel no in and I will call you.

Rgds Keith

richmond100 · Post by **richmond100** » Fri 04 Apr , 2008 18:20 pm

Hi, I decided to buy the lathe, it was peanuts and seems to cry out for a new lease of life. I have purchased signt unseen ( just via photos alone ).

Does anyone have a circuit diagram for this lathe pls ? I am led to beleive there are two type of controller, one is a Northeast controls, and the other I know nothing about......can anyone help pls ?

Rgds
Keith

Andy B · Post by **Andy B** » Mon 07 Apr , 2008 11:09 am

Some pictures would help to identify which model it is.
There are at least 3 variants shown in the pictures here all labelled as 'Eastiturn' and being variants of the 280 lathe.

Andy

richmond100 · Post by **richmond100** » Mon 07 Apr , 2008 13:38 pm

Some pictures.....

https://picasaweb.google.co.uk/richmondr ... 2980556610

https://picasaweb.google.co.uk/richmondr ... 8815131474

https://picasaweb.google.co.uk/richmondr ... 0289967970

These are the only ones I have at present. Lathe has not arrived yet.

Rgds
Keith

Andy B · Post by **Andy B** » Tue 08 Apr , 2008 8:02 am

Hard to tell much from those pictures, but it I'd guess at an Easiturn like this one but missing the rear guard and control panel.
It was just possible to make out the back-gear lever on the front of the headstock.

We'll await more info and pictures when you get it home!

Andy

richmond100 · Post by **richmond100** » Wed 09 Apr , 2008 17:24 pm

Hi,

The lathe has not been shipped yet, but my contact has had a good walk around it ( no more pics though I am afraid ).

It seems that the cnc "control" panel has been removed from the lathe and lost. The control wires that feed back into the lathe cabinet are just dangling.................apparently

Anyway..... Whilst I am experienced in electronics etc, and can cope with fitting the inverter and new cnc controls, can anyone give me a clue as to whether the axis drive motors are servo's or steppers, and of what sort of voltage / current rating ??

This has a direct impact on what sort of control i need to fit, and hence the cost.

Also, can anyone say if the low voltage controls were fitting in the missing cabinet, or as a part of the lathe ? I am guessing that if the motors are steppers they will be at least 5A per phase, and at least 24v, meaning a 500va minimum power supply requirement. This then means an expensive stepper controller. If they are servo's then I have no experience as to cost or control of these, so advice once again required here.

Even if the lathe is almost "free", it is going to cost me £100 plus to get it to me, and I can see the other expenses totting up in my head. It doesnt look good.......should I walk away now ??

Any advice appreciated

Rgds
Keith

Andy B · Post by **Andy B** » Thu 10 Apr , 2008 11:50 am

Keith,

Some thoughts and opinions - I think it comes down to what you want a CNC lathe for (small business, serious hobby use or occasional hobby use), and how much of a 'project' you want.

The smaller Orac machines are regularly sold for £500 +, often to have their insides pulled out to enable a modern control system to be fitted (do these attract a premium due to their 'desktop' size? - opinions welcomed on this one)

The 280 machine is even more solidly built, so running a modern control would enable serious output in any material.
I would have thought that you could guarantee a return on your money if you spent up to about £500 on it, and probably still for another few hundred over that.
Others who have done conversions will be able to give a better idea of what the bits cost - I really don't have a clue on that.

Andy

richmond100 · Post by **richmond100** » Wed 16 Apr , 2008 17:25 pm

Hi,

The lathe has arrived today. Labelled as a "Synchro 280 VS Micromaster CNC"

Serial number CNC 80225. DOM Dec 1981

It appears to have steppers on X and Y axis.

The electrical controls / power supply in the base was made by GSM Electrical Controls in Huddersfield.

Contactors and steppers are run from 24v, spindle tacho from 10.5v, and the missing computer from +12, +5, and -5 v DC.

It has the electric type spindle speed control ( motor and worm drive and expanding pulley ).

All cables to the missing CNC panel have been cut, but mechanically the lathe looks like new underneath all the dirt and grime.

So, does anyone have any wiring diagrams for this lathe pls ?
I can probably figure out most of it, but it would be quicker if I had this info.

Thanks in advance for your help

Rgds
Keith

Denford Software & Machines

Denford Software & Machines

280 VS CNC Help please

280 VS CNC Help please