Going to retrofit a new controller to a 1236 metal lathe from MicroKinetics.

[Mike Heidrick]

I bought a 1236 microkinetics cnc metal lathe from some machinery flipper boys in Penn yesterday. Its missing the controller I know but the mechanics and the nema42 and nema34 stepper motors are there. It has a D1-4 headstock so my Baileigh 1340 manual lathe's accessories will all fit. Should get the machine in the next couple weeks. Should be a fun retrofit.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/cnclathe1_zpssixxx7n5.jpg

[Bruce Page]

Didn't you buy a cnc lathe a couple of years ago? Or was that a screw machine.., I can't remember.

[Mike Heidrick]

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/Baileigh%20PL-1340E%20Metal%20Lathe/P6260011_zps8dfcdb82.jpg

I bought a 1983 cnc screw chucker lathe and traded it even up for a brand new Baileigh PL-1340E manual lathe with dro setup. I still own the 1340.

[Gary Campbell]

Mike...
Jealousy here!!! :mad: ;)

Looks like a fun project.

[Mike Heidrick]

A DriveRack controller (Microkinetics' 1236 and 11340 lathe controller) showed up in NC yesterday for sale. I worked out a deal with the owner so I will be picking that up next week. He is including the steppers, cables, and the pc and software too. I am excited because the nema42 Z axis stepper is rated at 80V 9.2amps or something like that and the stepper drivers used in the driverack are rated to 10amps. It looks like a pretty beefy controller build so I am happy to try it. He is also giving me the pc that was used on his 1236 so I am hoping to try their turnmasterpro software. Sometimes DIY retrofit build stars align!!

[Mike Heidrick]

Found an actual Microkinetics conrtroller yesterday. It has two stepper drivers rated for 80VDC and 10amps. Each axis has its own powersupply as well. Break out board is a MN400.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/driverack1_zpslfgr8qbj.jpg

[Mike Heidrick]

Getting closer to IL.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/20160705_101338_zpsyhzrdm55.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/20160705_155538_zpselwfr4y0.jpg

[Bruce Page]

You'll be ready to open up your own machine shop pretty soon .

[Mike Heidrick]

Picked up the controller and steppers today. Got the motors jogging.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlF5Td8t_lI

[Brian Lamb]

Hi Mike,

I have a friend who is running a Mikrokenetics milling machine and for whatever it is worth, the operating system is not so hot, very weird use of g-codes and lack of canned cycles and in general just a hodge lodge of a working system. Now, if you can use the drivers and such and change the software to Mach3 or Flashcut, you might be better off to in the long run.

[Mike Heidrick]

Yes you can rewire the drivers to another BOB and use whatever you want. I have been eyeing a c32 from cnc4pc. The implementation of the controller case is perfect for a retrofit of it. Even the input output connectors on the back are really just a bob as well.

Ill use this for awhile and learn and save up some more cash first. I own a mach license already to that would be my next step.

I have a TON to learn about this though so even hodge podge is better than what I have now. May make it easier to learn their system too.

Lathe is at the terminal so heading to get it at lunch. Darn day jobs.

[Brian Lamb]

Well, I just wanted you to be aware, I've spent a lot of time helping my friend and while we have gotten him up to speed and cutting some parts, the machine is just weird in what it can and can't do. It won't be anything like you are used to on your mill.

[Mike Heidrick]

pics inside the driverack. Whenever I retrofit that it will do some wire management too.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/Burst_stack_13218546664644_1_zpstbjudc7z.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/IMG_20160707_201233_zpsziaticnd.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/IMG_20160707_201337_zpswqs2onq5.jpg

[Mike Heidrick]

Too good to be true - Lathe fell over in shipment and is damaged and I refused it at the freight terminal. Grr. I love how the freight company re saran wrapped it. Yet another Paypal case I guess.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/IMG_20160708_141724_zpsmcnkez3n.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/IMG_20160708_141717_zpsgnhfcikl.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/IMG_20160708_135357_zpsrv93te9r.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/IMG_20160708_135334_zpsgxmqlqxo.jpg

[Brian Lamb]

Oh man, you will be dealing with the shipper... get ready for a ride....

[Bruce Page]

Grrrrr! Every shipping trailer has tie-downs. There is absolutely no excuse for that except pure laziness.

[Mike Heidrick]

No, I bought using Paypal and the purchase is protected. They will side with me as I never received a thing. He was the shipper as we negotiated freight included in the price. Freight company always settles with the shipper unless extenuating circumstances arrise. Same with UPS and Fedex. Been here before. Will just take a few days.

Guess maybe I will consider converting my Baileigh.

[Mike Heidrick]

Got the refund tonight from the seller on my lathe that the freight company damaged. Seller was not happy. He had till midnight to send the money before Ebay lowered the boom on his 700 items for sale. Ebay and Paypal buyer protection is for real folks. As a seller, you are responsible for delivering ALL the to the buyer an item in the same condition that you describe it in. If you pay for and arrange and ship the item to the buyer, you are responsible for that shippers actions as well. When they screw up you will settle up with the shipping company yourself and you refund the money to the seller. It makes zero difference what you state in your shipping guidelines. That buyer is protected. Freight companies always settle with the shipper of the item.

[Mike Heidrick]

I have also found a new 1236 lathe in Atlanta GA and I think I will just go get it myself this time. Dont want to risk another.

This new used one has threading and 3phase motor and VFD already installed.

[Mike Heidrick]

Ended up going the freight route - hopefully they ship out tomorrow. Two pallets and I had them bolted, strapped and covered.


http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/IMG_20160804_083259_01_zpsnwwymwew.jpg


http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/IMG_20160804_083255_01_zps81iapy4a.jpg

[Mike Heidrick]

Going to pick up the lathe from local Estes terminal later today. In prep for its arrival I decided to mount it on a HF 72" toolbox intead of its factory stand. Went and got that today and the sidebox 18" cabinet to mount the driverack controller and the PC on. Really hoping for perfect shipment condition this time - cross your fingers for me.

[Gary Campbell]

Fingers crossed for you Mike.

[Steven Rhine]

Sucks about the lathe damage. Just looked like the power box damaged from the photos. But, You Can still use the Drive Rack for other CNC Projects! Have you done a google search on Microkinetics I have a lot of info on my blog I have converted the drive rack to run on Mach3 and currently doing Linux CNC (Tormach Path Pilot) Mesa Conversion on the same lathe.

Just Gut the Microkinetics Connections From The Drive Rack.

On the DR/DM Drives you only use 3 Wires, Stp/Dir/+5V

Reason for going to LCNC is for Threading support Mach is very limited on threading/encoder support generally will not work right. Be sure to check your Encoder you get with the lathe you may need to rewire it to add an index and B+ Channel. Most the microkinetics encoders are tied to A Channel A+&A- to work with their limited MN400 & TMP Software, You will need to use A+ B+ Index +.

Also, Microkinetics uses Serial or Modbus on their VFD should be a Teco Drive and easily Adapted to run LCNC or Mach 3.

Microkinetics Drive Rack Conversion Path Pilot

http://www.stevenrhine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/image.jpeg
(http://www.stevenrhine.com/?p=1184)

[Mike Heidrick]

Steven/CoPilot soo glad you posted. I will be following your lead on the second driverack I got. It has a bad MN400 anyway. Tell me/us more about the Path Pilot!! Sounds awesome.

Well its home and in the shop. Going to put it on a 72" HF Toolbox with a side cabinet.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/lathedel1_zpsmspr9qkl.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/lathedel2_zpsinszafii.jpg

[Mike Heidrick]

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/IMG_20160813_123529_zpsogzvbm1o.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/IMG_20160813_123556_zpsbmzjbwld.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/IMG_20160813_122958_zpsw4uumic4.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/IMG_20160813_122918_zpsh4vgjpqt.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/IMG_20160813_170818_zpswtdrohsm.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/IMG_20160813_174533_zpsqdigptco.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/IMG_20160813_174547_zpsrvzo2zki.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/IMG_20160813_174553_zpsgh1qdrk7.jpg

[Bruce Page]

I'm curious to see how setting that on a roll-away is going to work out for you. I have some doubts.

[Mike Heidrick]

Its tall but mobile and that is what I need till my walls are finished on the metal working end of the shed. Ill use a riser to stand on for now.

Mesa 6i25 and 7i76 cards showed up today and I got a PC and ssd drive for it at lunch today. Ill get Tormach Pathpilot running on that setup.

[Mike Heidrick]

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e169/BloomingtonMike/MicroKinetics%20CNC%20Lathe%201236/IMG_20160814_201920_zps1toyazx8.jpg

[Mike Heidrick]

Video of it jogging on the Microkinetics Driverack MN400 based controller and Turnmasterpro.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5fy3m74-mg