[srmodelmaker]

Anyone using Hardinge's Indexer?
We are in the process of adding a 4th axis to our current machines.
We are looking to use it on a few different machines.
3 Fadal 15XT's, 1 Fadal 3016L, 1 Fadal VMC40 also 1 Mazak VTC-16A.
We are looking at the Hardinge Rotary Index unit to purchase a, 5C Bearing Single Unit, Brushless Motor and Control with Manual Closer.
We will just use it as a postioner more so than a 4th axis for now.
Just want to know if it can be swapped from one machine to another
without too many problems. And any other helpful hints before we go ahead and buy one.
Any thoughts?

[carbidecraters]

From what I know the Fadal uses DC voltage so your motor has to be DC. Other than that I believe it will work since they pretty much all use the same code for movement.

[Shizzlemah]

if the hardinge indexer is used with the hardinge controller, motor type doesn't matter.

should be as simple as plugging in the the power and connecting the "index" connection. Also will require a serial connection if you get fancy, not required for vanilla indexing

[srmodelmaker]

Thanks Shizz,

The Hardinge Rep demo'ed the controller box as a stand alone unit, must say it seems easy enough do operate.
We are looking too run unattended, and as far as I know the box will talk back and forth with the machine to stop, rotate, and run next side.

And if anyone out there is using a Hardinge rotary for this purpose drop a note for us!

srmodelmaker

[Shizzlemah]

I looked pretty hard at the hardinge unit. Worked a bit with Al at hardinge about integration on a fadal without requiring the fadal 1030(?) indexer card. It would have been perfect for me but didn't have the volume to justify it.

If you are doing all of the rotary programming at the hardinge controller, then it's just an M-code to index. You set the program in the hardinge for "rotate +90" "rotate +135" "rotate 0" and every time you fire a relay it increments through the program. +90, +135, then back to zero. Really easy if you are using simple indexing.

You can connect via serial cable to get the fadal to specify the rotational increment and speeds by sending G-codes to the hardinge box This can be used to get pretty darned close to 4-axis motion. Just use the SPRINT commands on the fadal to send the command to the hardinge, then trip the relay to get it started. You can program the hardinge (for example) to rotate 241.53degrees and take 18.4 seconds to get there - so you can also slot or combine with an X-move too. Works fine with linears, lots more complicated with XA arcs :-)

[Neal]

The Hardinge Indexer fits well on the Fadal. You will need the 1050 M function board. Call me at the factory and I'll send you the wiring requirements.

Neal