Denford Software & Machines

Customer writes in ......

We purchased the upgrade from DOS to windows version software and CMOS chip. The upgrade was performed as per the instructions provided. Prior to upgrading the machine performed in all aspects. All axes worked and I was able to machine a sample part from the tutorial program. Since the upgrade all axis will work in jog mode, the pneumatic chuck works but the door open and close is not working. Also the tutorial part will machine in virtual but when the program is run with the Novaturn it gives an error at each step that the movement is out of the machines limits. It also shows in the details that the limits of the machine is from 0.000 to a negative number such as -1400.00 for all axes. The part program movements are all positive numbers. I would like to resolve this issue before using it in a classroom setting when ever the machine gets an M code that does not work such as door open or door close the command times out and nothing will work until the program is restarted. Please help. Thank you.

Novaturn w/ 8stn.
EO4639
Dispatch Date- Around 2000 – 2002
Win 98
VR CNC Turning 1.16

Re the move exceeds limits:
Please view pdf technical article #3004 for help.

Bear in mind the VR machine uses different work offsets, so it may work on the VR machine, but not on the real machine.

RE the mcodes hanging up:
I would also check what control type you have set in parameters.
Try setting this to 0 if it is currently set to 5

Customer Responds:

have downloaded article 3004 and followed it and the manual to the letter several times
I am certian of the simptoms now

the machine will stop 1.5 inches from the chuck whether in the program or in jog mode
the position readout in the upper right corner is exactly what the machine says the limits are but the billet is only 4 inches long and the part should be cut closer to the chuck than that
the tool offsets are correct and the billet leangth is correct but the machine limits are to far away from the chuck
I could not find any documentation about changing this limit
also the machine would machine this part from this billit when running the dos software
is the machine limits different in the software
if so how do I set them now
also the picture of the machine in the manual shows a hydraulic cylinder to open the cover, My machine has a totally different mechanism could it be that the new software is not compatible with the older hardware on the cover opening device

Frank White
SWOSU

It does sound like the original DOS machine setup was different to our current machines that work with VR Turning.
It could be that the home switches are now fitted in a different way - making the new machines home closer to the chuck, but an older machine may home further away, making it harder to machine up towards the chuck.

If you change the software limits, I recommend you carefully jog toward the chuck before running a program, to be sure that you aren't going to run off the end of the ballscrew, or crunch into something.

To change software limits in VR Turning:
Menu Setup -> Machine Parameters... -> enter denny as password
OK -> click Machine Capability in tree for your machine -> decrease "Travel Z-" from -176 to say -200 which will add about an inch of travel towards the chuck

Re the door / cover open - if you have any auto operated door, then mcode M38 should open the door automatically, and M39 should close it.