Machine tool control

[achannell]

We have a very large gantry 5-axis friction stir machine (operates just like a CNC mill except much higher loads)
Right now the controller is running robot code off one computer that talks to a control computer in a complex and unreliable system.
We want to have a G-Code controller much like CNC mills (I'm a fan of the HAAS control personally)
Can anyone suggest companies that can come to a site and set up a new control? I saw Makino looks to have this service?
Thanks,
Alex

 

[MikeHalloran]

There is a certain unavoidable minimum complexity to something like a 5-axis mill. If it were totally reliable, i.e. never broke or glitched, you wouldn't care about the complexity.

Rather than replacing the entire control, it might be considerably cheaper and quicker to find your local independent CNC service guy, and pay him to spend a day figuring out why your system is doing or not doing the things that make you characterize it as unreliable.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[CoryPad]

I would contact MTS. They make friction stir machines (including 5 axis ones), and have a history of refitting equipment from other manufacturers.

http://www.mts.com/en/TechnologyShowcase/FSW/index.asp

Regards,

Cory

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