Hi Jon,

I have a Kasuga NC mill I would like to up grade with a PC based controller.
it has new DC servo amps and a tool changer.
It currently has resolvers instead of encoders.
I am willing to buy and adapat encoders if neccessay.
What do you have in the way of software and interfaces from
the PC to the Kasuga servo amps and tool changer?

First, whose amplifiers are those (maybe Westamp?) and what
input do they take?  If they are +/- 10 V velocity command input,
then my PPMC http://jelinux.pico-systems.com/PPMC.html
will do the job.  That will take encoder inputs and generate the
velocity command to the amps.  It also handles digital inputs
and outputs.  This set is $750 for single-ended encoders or
$780 for differential.

You would need to replace the resolvers with encoders, or
get a converter box for those.

The software is EMC, available for free download.  Or, I can
put it on a used Dell PC and configure it for the PPMC for $200.

Tool changer?  Is that that box over on the left side of the
machine?  Do you have any info on how it works, especially
how many I/O points it needs?   (That would be mostly how
many limit switches it has and how many solenoid valves,
motors, solenoids, etc. it has.)

For the tool changer, I would recommend EMC2, which is still
undergoing development.  But, it has all the features to operate
the tool changer.  It is going to require some work to handle all
the interfacing, timing, etc. for the tool changer.

Jon

Yes I think they are Westamp. I'll check on that and get back
to you.

Really that cheap? I don't need another computer but what
are the specs on the Dell?. Are you using parallel port cards for
output? I am willing to pay for the work on the
tool changer and turn the source code over to you so you can use
it if someone else wants a tool changer.

We can get it going sans the tool changer for now as I won't be doing
production work anytime soon. Just molds for engine part castings
at first.

Great news Jon. Thanks for contacting me.

Here are a few more pics.

BTW any recommendation on the encoders?