When and Why to RetroFit your Machine

Important Considerations When Linking "Old Iron"
With New CNC Controls.

1. Over Coming "Fear of the unknown"

Linking an existing machine tool with a new CNC (Computer Numeric Control) can strike fear in the hearts of those involved with making the decision process. Despite its phenomenal rise in popularity, CNC technology is still relatively new and, therefore, threatening to those unfamiliar with its advantages.

The key to overcoming any fear of CNC technology lies in understanding its many advantages. Today's new technology offers increased feature capabilities, higher accuracies, increased speeds and a higher degree of user-friendliness.

2. What is involved in Retrofitting a Machine Tool?

Many of the early machine tools were built to very high standards mechanically, but CNC was in its infancy, and controls, although then state-of-the-art, now appear to be quite antiquated. Due to the strides made in microprocessor control, as well as sophisticated AC servo motor control and design, Highly reliable controls have emerged.

A typical retrofit of a older CNC machine, usually consists of removing all of the old control, motors and motor amplifiers, and replacing them with a state-of-the-art 32 bit processor CNC control, replacing the older DC servo motors with AC brushless servo motors, these motors do not have the problems usually associated with the a dc brush type of motor.

The mechanical condition of the machine ways and ball screws would be a deciding factor of wether to retro-fit, (the oldest machine tool retro-fitted by us is a 1956 Gray Planer, Which of course did not originally have a CNC control or Ballscrews).

In most cases, with a few minor changes, part programs can be quite easily switched over to the new control. The new Mitsubishi control is fully compatible with 'G' code programming.

For a good retrofit job, all old machine wiring must be removed and replaced. Trying to save money or time by using old wiring can result in problems such as bad connections, pinched wires and shorts caused by moisture or coolants

3. Advantages in Retro-Fitting

If the present machine is still in good shape mechanically, the decision to replace or retrofit should be based on replacement cost, leadtime in acquiring a new machine, and cost of special options. At the time of retro-fit, we can often offer options that were not available on the original machine, as we now take the place of the machine-tool builder and can program in special 'M' codes for unique control options.
Another advantage is the retrofit is carried out on-site, so the machine tool does not have to be uprooted.

Examples of Projects

AVEY-1970's CNC 3 axis Drill/Mill retrofitted with Mitsubishi M3 control and AC servo motors, conversion of 'Z' axis hydraulic positioning, with servo operated ballscrew.
GRAY 1956 Planer/mill 15ft table. Retrofitted and converted to CNC with GE-Fanuc 0M control. Ball screws fitted.
FICEP 1970's CNC line punch/notcher/shear. retrofitted with INTEK designed P.C. based motion control system. Existing dc motors retained.
KOTOBUKI 1970's 26ft Stroke - DoubleHead Planer/Miller, retrofitted and converted to CNC with Mitsubishi M50 control.
AMERCAN TOOL-1970's Eagle slant bed lathe, Mitsubishi Meldas 50 CNC control, complete with AC Brushless servo's. An Acroloop motion control card was used to control the existing hydraulically-operated 12-posn tool turret.
Plasma CNC 'X/Y' tables, Pick and Place X/Y gantry's, Flying Shear's, CNC router X/Y tables.
Custom designed motion control systems, using off-the-shelf technology and in-house designed P.C. based systems.

Services we offer

We will retrofit your CNC machine tool with a 32 bit MITSUBISHI Meldas© or GE-Fanuc© control. Program in customer-requested 'M' codes.
We can Manufacture, Design and Engineer your custom application, if you require a motion control solution, that is not readily available off- the-shelf.
Upgrade your Plasma trace cutting table with a state-of-the-art Acroloop P.C. based CNC system.
Design and build a custom size X/Y/Z table to fit your application. e.g. Plasma cutting, Wood routing, Table-top Mill for Jewellery mould production. Mini CNC machines for Teaching institutions.
Factory process control design and conversion from relay logic to PLC control.
Factory floor DNC networks systems.
We represent Acroloop P.C. based Motion control and Mitsubishi Electric CNC systems.

Manufactured Systems ^new

We will custom designing and manufacture various sizes of X/Y tables for Plasma cutting , Wood Routing and small Milling X/Y/Z tables.
The small units (under 5ft table) run directly off of a PC and will automatically download a shape to the table that is scanned in using Corel Draw® or AutoCad® , they will also possess the option of entering a program using 'G' codes.
The larger tables (5ft x 10ft and up) are controlled using an Acroloop ACR8000 P.C. based motion control card. for the featured options of this system please see ACR8000.