[lentzie]

Hi all.
Our school just purchased a new techno CNC Lathe. After using it enough to become familliar with it's capabilities I am rather dissapointed with the techno control software. It only supports IN/MIN & RPM and is rather limited in the number of standard codes it recognizes. Also it is difficult to adjust mid program to get accurate diameters. I was wondering if Mach 3 would run this lathe and if so how do I go about changing over? The Techno runs off a special card in the pc with a cable similar to a printer cable but with 50 pins. I currently use Mach 3 mill on a Tormach PCNC1100 in my classroom. I think the consistency of having both machines running Mach controllers would be very helpful to both students and myself. I am a CNC rookie and would greatly appreciate any advise.

Thanks,
Dave

[AR1911]

Zombie thread!

Any updates on this?
I just bought a used Techno lathe complete less PCI card.
That card is $550 new, which is probably less than a proper conversion would run.
Are there any used PCI cards out there left over from converted machines?

Otherwise, how did you do the conversion ..... way back in '07

[Pplug]

Just replace the motors, motor drives, power supply and break outboard to get Mach 3 compatibility.

I've never done a lathe but I have converted a few routers including a stepper techno davinci.

[AR1911]

I realize that is an option, and the one most used.
Right now I have a small mill, and a lathe in that process, but neither is completed, and I have yet to own a working CNC machine. This is strictly a low-budget hobby thing for me, and a learning experience.

If I can get this one working just by obtaining a PCI card, that's the quickest, simplest way to get it going. It might be limited, and I might have to upgrade to get more functionality, but right now I'd just like to see the spindle turn and the axes move before starting a conversion.
Call it a confidence-builder.

[Pplug]

The only people that I know that would have a card would be ArmorCNC. I think that bought all the old Techno stock before techno closed their doors.

[lentzie]

AR1911 I wouldn't waste your money or time on a PCI card. The Techno lathe turned out to be a total piece of junk! After many hours of trying unsuccessfully to get it to work I convinced Techno to send me a new lathe. The new lathe was also non functional. I angrily returned the second lathe and purchased an Ajax with Centroid controller from Forrest Scientific. I am very happy with the Ajax lathe. I have spoken to several Tech Ed teachers I met at a conference who had the exact same experience with the Techno. I have converted a Spectralite lathe and a Shopbot router to Mach 3. I highly recommend that approach for your Techno Lathe.

[AR1911]

AR1911 I wouldn't waste your money or time on a PCI card. The Techno lathe turned out to be a total piece of junk! After many hours of trying unsuccessfully to get it to work I convinced Techno to send me a new lathe. The new lathe was also non functional. I angrily returned the second lathe and purchased an Ajax with Centroid controller from Forrest Scientific. I am very happy with the Ajax lathe. I have spoken to several Tech Ed teachers I met at a conference who had the exact same experience with the Techno. I have converted a Spectralite lathe and a Shopbot router to Mach 3. I highly recommend that approach for your Techno Lathe.

Lentzie, I presume you mean that the lathe controls are junk, is that right?
If I convert it to Mach3 or EMC, all that will be replaced. Or at least, the main PCB/motherboard. Everything else looks like standard stuff, and of decent quality. The VFD is a nice unit.

The basic machine seems OK mechanically. The headstock and bearings look a bit light duty, but I suspect it's the same hardware used in the Asian 9x20 manual lathes.

[lentzie]

Yes. The issues were with the control system. The lathe seemed ok but I was never able to get either machine to run properly. I have no experience with configuring Mach3 and servo motors, however I'm certain the good folks here on the zone can help you out. I have had success with CNC4PC break out boards and other items they sell. For the type of work I do in my classroom and home shop I can't see any benefit of servo's over stepper motors. There are others who I'm sure would disagree. If you find the cost and complexity of setting up the servos is prohibitive you can purchase steppers for about the price of that PCI card. You have a nice platform to work with, I'm sure with the help of the Zone you will get it running.

[AR1911]

Would these OE parts have any value on the used market?

Servos, main board, toroid transsformer - Ebay?

[AR1911]

Really? Techno's site is up, and they have answered questions.
I think it was sold a few years back, but they do appear to be in business.

[Pplug]

Your right they still are in business but not the same as before. Now they hawk Chinese junk instead of the good German/American parts and designs they used to sell.

[AR1911]

ArmorCNC quoted me $850 (!) for a PCI card. Not gonna happen.

Looks like a conversion is going to be the only sensible route. I like the idea of retaining the servo drives, but I'm not seeing many driver choices, and they are expensive. Any suggestions there?
I also can't find anything on the servos, except that I have a pinout for the connectors to the main board. They are marked as 50 oz-in, which seems pretty light for theis size machine. Everyone says go to steppers, but that seems like a step backwards. (no pum intended)

As for the quality, while this appears to use Chinese 9x20 parts for the bed, cross slide and tailstock, possible the spindle. the balance of the machine appears to be well-made from good componenets - US-made servos, Baldor 3-ph motor, quality VFD etc.

[Pplug]

That is about the same price I bought mine for about 7+ years ago directly from techno. I bought a lc4896 super cheap with out the card.

My lc4896 uses the same servos! They don't seem powerful on paper, but I have broken quite a few 1/2" shank bits with their combination of servos and ball screws!

Servo drives are expensive compared to stepper drives and require tuning to the servos. How is the rotational motor powered and rpm's measured?

[AR1911]

Techno says they have the PCI cards in stock for $550.

[AR1911]

The rotational motor is a Baldor 3.4 HP 3-phase 230V powered by a 115V VFD.
There is a speed sensor/encoder of some sort

[Pplug]

Jump on that!

[AR1911]

Jump on that!

Well, when I read that others dump the OE software because it's limited, I'm hesitant to invest in the hardware to run it. If the card were half that, I'd do it.
I think the correct course for me is to change to steppers and use Mach3 or EMC. But I'll pursue some other projects and see if a PCI card turns up. In the meantime I'll try to figure out what drivers etc I want to use.

I do appreciate all the input, and more is welcome

Rex

[zamazz]

Did you by chance pick this up in the DFW area?

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[AR1911]

Did you by chance pick this up in the DFW area?

Yes I did. It has been on CL for months

[zamazz]

I was planning on looking at it last Sunday, but you got there before me. That single board set up scared me though, so I wasn't going to offer much. If it had individual servo drives it would be much easier to retrofit.

Good luck with whatever route you take. I'm partial to mesa boards and Linuxcnc if you decide to retrofit. If you're near Dallas and ever need help let me know.

Do you know what voltage the servos are?

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