azecraze
Member
Well, we have this moderately aged Fanuc 3 axis router complete with a Fanuc 7M controller. This whole system runs punched paper tape.
Interestingly enough, this whole unit was given to us approximately 1 year ago complete with a tape punching computer and about 100 router bits!
Being more technologically advanced than our forbears, and the fact that the tape was a bit old and worn out, we decided that it needed upgrading to something a bit more reliable.
This decision resulted in the purchase in a BTR (Behind Tape Reader) unit which essentially plugs in where the tape reader was, and allows a PC to communicate directly to the 7M controller using DNC software.
This did not get rid of many problems, but rather generated a whole lot of new ones. We continuously come up with errors and rats get in the controller box and get fried. Just like send a file to the fanuc box, and an error pops up straight away.
We have pursued these errors, but with little reliable information, it is hard to pin down exactly what is causing them.
For instance, we get one that is the result of a parity check, meaning we have lost data somewhere. So we replace PC, replace cable, replace BTR, change settings, all to no avail. This only leaves the control box, full of memory chips and PCB's and other bits of retro circuitry.
This is becoming such a problem that I am nearly tearing my hair out trying to figure it all out. Personally I would love to biff the fanuc box out the window and put in plain and simple servo drivers. There is just too much junk in the fanuc box.
Q. What would you do?
Interestingly enough, this whole unit was given to us approximately 1 year ago complete with a tape punching computer and about 100 router bits!
Being more technologically advanced than our forbears, and the fact that the tape was a bit old and worn out, we decided that it needed upgrading to something a bit more reliable.
This decision resulted in the purchase in a BTR (Behind Tape Reader) unit which essentially plugs in where the tape reader was, and allows a PC to communicate directly to the 7M controller using DNC software.
This did not get rid of many problems, but rather generated a whole lot of new ones. We continuously come up with errors and rats get in the controller box and get fried. Just like send a file to the fanuc box, and an error pops up straight away.
We have pursued these errors, but with little reliable information, it is hard to pin down exactly what is causing them.
For instance, we get one that is the result of a parity check, meaning we have lost data somewhere. So we replace PC, replace cable, replace BTR, change settings, all to no avail. This only leaves the control box, full of memory chips and PCB's and other bits of retro circuitry.
This is becoming such a problem that I am nearly tearing my hair out trying to figure it all out. Personally I would love to biff the fanuc box out the window and put in plain and simple servo drivers. There is just too much junk in the fanuc box.
Q. What would you do?
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