Fanuc Robodrill AlphaT10C -- Retrofit -- Help

No its only a 8 bit UART, but specific interface hardware would not be hard to cobble up
(might even be able to disguise it as a sserial peripheral at the register level)
_except_ for the lack of documentation

If the drive expects the host to do current control it would probably require a
embedded processor to do the 10-20 KHz Park/Clarke calcs/PI loops
needed for current control.

(I would use the same 32 bit DSP the resolver interface uses)

It does sound fun but not so much if working in the dark

prashant wrote:

Hey Guys!

I am new to this forum.
I have being using a fanuc robodrill (16m Controller) for past 3 years. Recently there was a problem with the display, which could not be solved by our local engineers. Fanuc is asking around 5500$ for the display and keypad unit. (Without Warranty). Apprantly because the machine has been handle by local engineers.

My Question is

1) Is it possible to use linux cnc as a controller, keeping the orignal fanuc servos, drives and power supply.

Can you determine what encoders are on the servo motors? I (Pico Systems) have
converters for some Fanuc red cap encoders that allow them to be used with
industry-compatible servo amps. You may have to take the red plastic cover
off the encoders to read the encoder model number off the metal cover inside.
(Using some data I have here, I think you have the (Alpha)A64 serial pulse coder
on the Y motor, and maybe on the Z motor, too. I do have a converter for
those encoders.

Getting the necessary info on the connections to the servo amps will be hard,
Fanuc releases as little info as possible, unfortunately.
Jon

Hey jmelson,

will do that. give me a day.

Thanks

Hi PCW and Andypugh,

Frankly, i did not understand your conversations (technically). But got that you guys are trying to help me.
I am willing to do whatever I can, at my end.

Do you still think that it is practical to go ahead with this? what are the things i need to do.

Thank you.

Hi andypugh,

Time & patience should not be an issue. Anyway, I will have to manage all this without hampering my current work.
I am not in hurry.

The way i look at it, after a year or may be two.

Worst Case scenario --- I would have learnt a thing or two about - Electronics, CNC etc.

Best Case scenario --- machine working with CNC LINUX, Seems Nice

Would be great if I could know the budget.

Hi andypugh,

Seems good!

Tell me where to start.