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IndustryArena Forum > Machine Controllers Software and Solutions > Fanuc > Looking at a new machine equipped with Fanuc Oi-Mate Control
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Posts
    103

    Looking at a new machine equipped with Fanuc Oi-Mate Control

    What kind of control is this?

    GE/Fanuc's site lists it as the "value priced" option of the Oi series, which sounds ominous to me.

    Does this mean that it's a stripped down worthless version, or that it just can't process 10,000 blocks/sec?

    I'm coming off an early '90's vintage control, and the whole idea here is to upgrade my capabilities and ease of use, not trade one clunky slow control for another that cost $25k more.

    I'm having a hard time finding any information about these new controls, any assistance/experience/anecdotes would be most useful.

    Thanks for your time guys.
    Ryan Shanks - Logic Industries LLC
    http://www.logic-industries.com

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    1527
    No help here, but I like your location. Some of my fondest memories involve crappies on Table Rock Lake and exploring caves near Fort Lenard Wood.

    Karl

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    179
    Th Oi - Mate can never go full fourth axis. It is a 3 axis control only so, if you are thinking about adding one later........no dice. It is a very nice control and does 3d work at a descent speed. It comes with all the standard cycles but no frills. Hope this helps.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Posts
    552
    This was a good Fanuc post! I still wonder about the 5 & 7 though.

    Darek

    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Fritz
    All of the controls you mentioned are newer than your 6M-B controls.

    The Fanuc 6M and 3M (and the rare 9M) were developed at about the same time, and the system 3 was designed to be a less expensive version of the 6. All three had 16-bit 8086 processors. The 6M had bubble memory and lots of available options. As you know, there was a 6M-A, a 6M-B, and later a "level up" version called 6MB-2. The Fanuc 3M used SRAM memory (which was limited) and had no tape reader port. You can connect a BTR board or cable to the 6, but you can't do that with a system 3 because there's no parallel tape reader port. The 9M was seldom imported into the US, and it had the ability to control up to 15 axes. The 6M could only handle 4 axes simultaneously.

    The next generation of controls that Fanuc produced were the system 10, 11, 12, and 15 controls. The 10 (like the 3) was a good control, but it was much more limited than the 11, 12, and 15. The 10M used SRAM memory likt the 3M, and it had no parallel tape reader port. Some 10M controls, however, could DNC through the serial port. You've got to be careful when buying a 10M for DNC operation, because a lot of machines builders used the Fanuc 3M, then switched to the 10M without changing their PC Ladder. These machines can't use the serial port for DNC unless you do a bit of work on the ladder.

    The 11M control used bubble memory (like the 6M), and it had a parallel port, it could DNC through the serial port, and it had all the options you would normally need on a machining center. The processor speed was the same as the 10M though. The 12M is also rare (like the 9M), and I really don't know much about it. I suppose it had the ability to handle more axes than the 11M.

    The 15M was the most powerful control in this generation. It had all the "bells & whistles", and it could be equipped with options for high-speed cutting, remote buffers for faster DNC, etc. Like the 11M, it could DNC through the serial or the parallel port.

    The 0 series controls came out next, with several generations of hardware. The 0M-A could not DNC at all (no parallel port, and the serial port could only upload/download). The 0M-B had an additional interface bit (accessible by the ladder logic) for DNC operation. If the machine's ladder has this function, you CAN do DNC through the 0M-B and 0M-C serial ports. On these machines, look for a "TAPE" mode postion on the mode select switch. If the mode switch only has "AUTO" and "EDIT", then you may not have any DNC capability unless you modify the ladder (like some older 10Ms) None of the 0 series controls had the parallel tape reader port, so no BTR boards can be used.

    The next generation of controls were the 16, 18, and 21 models. These all had faster processors than the 0 series, but they too had some limitations. These are currently the most popular Fanuc controls being sold, and they have all the options available. DNC is possible on all models as long as the machine tool builder put the "TAPE" mode on the mode select switch. High-speed cutting and remote buffer options are available, but not all controls have them installed. These controls also have only serial ports (Not parallel ports) so BTR boards can't be used. Most models also have a PCMCIA RAM card slot next to the CRT. You can run long files from this card if you set the "I/O" bit on the setting screen to "4"

    The "i" models have a kind of "front-end" processor that makes Ethernet communications possible. If the control has the "Data Server" option, you can use an FTP server on your PC to transfer (and drip-feed) files at Ethernet speeds. Just because the control is an "i" model doesn't mean that you have these options though.

    With each generation of controls, Fanuc has offered a "low end" version with limited memory for simple machines, then an "intermediate" version for the vast majority of standard machines. They've also always offered a "high-end" control for big machines with many axes, parallel axes, and other special requirements.

    When buying any used machine, try to get the original Fanuc documentation from inside the cabinet. It should show the factory installed options. Also be VERY sure to get a set of all the manuals. You will need them. If the machine is under power, just try to use MDI to key in the various optional G-codes. If the control gives an alarm #10, that means that the option is not installed.

    The Fanuc model numbers never include the number "13" (unlucky here in the US) and the number "4" (unlucky in Japan). That's why there wasn't a model "4" or a "14" or a "13".

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    179
    3d, the control operates excellent. But you can never upgrade to a full 4th axis. An Indexer, yes. But as you said, it is the "low end" of what is available. You need to decide what you are looking for from a control. Just consider what you are currently machining and what you plan to machine in the next 5 years. (about average pay off for machine) Why buy a new machine because your job has changed when you can have options turned on / installed because you purchased the right one to start with?
    I personally am not a big fan of being capibility limited because I saved a few bucks on initial investment. I'm not saying "go for broke" but you will have to live with your choice.

    Hope this helps.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    17
    How does the 0i Mate controller compare to an 18i ? I have a lathe with a General Numeric that we are going to retrofit with a new control.

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