584,854 active members*
4,221 visitors online*
Register for free
Login
Results 1 to 13 of 13
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Posts
    31

    old DC servo's on Excello

    I originally posted this in the LinuxCNC forum, maybe this one will have better luck in getting a response.

    I just purchased an Excello mill in good condition with all the servo's, tachs, position transducers, etc. It originally had a Bendix controller on it but that failed and the machine has been idle for a very long time.

    Here is what i have:

    Micron position transducers
    Indiana General DC motors
    7 A, 85V, 1700RPM

    Westamp A6513-10E-304(111880) servo drives (or whatever you call it.)

    Osborne transformer with 62-68V and 1600 V.A Rating
    I also already have a PC setup with linuxCNC and it has a MESA 6i25
    I have a VFD for the spindle
    The machine still has all the limit switches but is missing the oiler (they sold it already.)

    What else do I need? Should i use the Westamp drives or get something more modern off of Ebay?
    Is the 7133TA card the one I need to connect the Mesa to the drives?

    The machine also came with a ton of blueprints for this machine and other Excello mills (around 30 or so total.)

    Thanks,

    Dan

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    24216

    Re: old DC servo's on Excello

    The old Westamp drive had problems and were replaced with A-M-C or Copley Controls etc.
    But these are analogue input, so if you use Mach etc then you need step direction, there is Linux that can use a motion card and Kflop that can incorporate analogue drives, however.
    Al.
    CNC, Mechatronics Integration and Custom Machine Design

    “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
    Albert E.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Posts
    31

    Re: old DC servo's on Excello


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    24216

    Re: old DC servo's on Excello

    What is the servo amp DC power supply voltage?
    Those are rated for 15amp cont and 80v DC max.
    Al.
    CNC, Mechatronics Integration and Custom Machine Design

    “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
    Albert E.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    644

    Re: old DC servo's on Excello

    If the Westamp drives are good Linuxcnc should work with a Mesa 5I25/7I77 combination
    (the 7I33TA/5I20 will work but the 5I25/7I77 card set is newer and cheaper)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Posts
    31

    Re: old DC servo's on Excello

    Quote Originally Posted by PCW_MESA View Post
    If the Westamp drives are good Linuxcnc should work with a Mesa 5I25/7I77 combination
    (the 7I33TA/5I20 will work but the 5I25/7I77 card set is newer and cheaper)
    Thanks! The guy i bought the system from said the westamp should be good so i'll go ahead and order the 7i77.

    Thanks!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Posts
    31

    Re: old DC servo's on Excello

    Quote Originally Posted by Al_The_Man View Post
    What is the servo amp DC power supply voltage?
    Those are rated for 15amp cont and 80v DC max.
    Al.
    It's an Osborne transformer and it says 62-68V. It's the transformer that was originally on the machine.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    24216

    Re: old DC servo's on Excello

    If that is the AC output that equates to 95vdc, if so that is a little too high for that model of drive.
    Al.
    CNC, Mechatronics Integration and Custom Machine Design

    “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
    Albert E.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Posts
    31

    Re: old DC servo's on Excello

    Quote Originally Posted by Al_The_Man View Post
    The old Westamp drive had problems and were replaced with A-M-C or Copley Controls etc.
    But these are analogue input, so if you use Mach etc then you need step direction, there is Linux that can use a motion card and Kflop that can incorporate analogue drives, however.
    Al.
    I'm going to give the westamp drivers a try and if they don't work i'll take your advice and pickup some of the AMC's on Ebay. Is there a manual with tuning info available that you know of?

    Thanks again for the help.

    Dan

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    24216

    Re: old DC servo's on Excello

    The A-M-C drives are usually set for torque mode, tach is not used, in this mode A-M-C recommend Ref Gain is fully CW and Loop Gain fully CCW.
    Al.
    CNC, Mechatronics Integration and Custom Machine Design

    “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
    Albert E.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Posts
    31

    Re: old DC servo's on Excello

    I just tried out the 3 axis with the westamp servos and y and z seem to work but x stalls. I'm not sending any commands, just turning on the system and don't have them disabled. Would this be an adjustment issue or an indication that the axis is bad? (it works if i plug the x into one of the other amps.)

    Which of the A-M-P or Copley models would you recommend? It looks like most of them i am finding on Ebay are for up to 80 watts and i'm getting around from my power supply.

    Thanks,

    Dan


    Quote Originally Posted by Al_The_Man View Post
    If that is the AC output that equates to 95vdc, if so that is a little too high for that model of drive.
    Al.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Posts
    31

    Re: old DC servo's on Excello

    Do you know if the AMC 2AVRA amps on ebay will work? I was told they are a modified 20a20 but AMC won't give me any information. They are going for cheap right now ($19)


    Thanks,

    Dan


    Quote Originally Posted by Al_The_Man View Post
    The A-M-C drives are usually set for torque mode, tach is not used, in this mode A-M-C recommend Ref Gain is fully CW and Loop Gain fully CCW.
    Al.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    24216

    Re: old DC servo's on Excello

    I don't have any info on those, they are most likely OEM specials.
    Al.
    CNC, Mechatronics Integration and Custom Machine Design

    “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
    Albert E.

Similar Threads

  1. excello xlo 602 mill help!
    By xlojon in forum Knee Vertical Mills
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 12-29-2013, 05:29 AM
  2. Excello info
    By 87kevin in forum Uncategorised MetalWorking Machines
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 08-29-2012, 03:15 PM
  3. Excello Mill
    By Miller Man in forum Linear and Rotary Motion
    Replies: 38
    Last Post: 02-04-2012, 04:33 AM
  4. Excello 602 questions
    By LJG in forum Knee Vertical Mills
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 09-23-2008, 03:37 PM
  5. excello conversion stepper to servo
    By roonster71 in forum Bridgeport / Hardinge Mills
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 05-03-2005, 02:15 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •