MACHINEMATE INC
Low-Cost High-Performance PC-Based CNC Products
MACHINEMATE INC has several
accessories to provide a complete control solution.
MTBP
The 19” MACHINEMATE MTBP (Machine
Tool Builder’s Panel) can make the operator’s panel design and implementation
easier. The MTBP is pictured below.
This MTBP is built to
the 19” rack-mount standard, so its width is identical to that of the MACHINEMATE control with
a 19” rack-mount front panel. This consistency allows a simple layout of an
operator’s station. This panel includes the minimum operator switches.
·
the Emergency Stop
pushbutton (push in to lock, twist out to release),
·
feed and speed
override switches,
·
cycle start and stop
pushbuttons,
·
the machine start
pushbutton,
·
the jog + and –
pushbuttons,
·
six general-purpose
pushbuttons,
·
a molded 2-meter
cable (with a 50-pin D-shell on both ends).
All of the pushbuttons except the E-stop can be illuminated. Any of the eight general purpose buttons can be custom engraved by MACHINEMATE INC for a nominal charge or clear buttons are available for the customer to provide custom button labels. The MTBP is available at the list price of $695.
A two-page description (in .pdf) is available for the MTBP.
When using the MACHINEMATE SERCOS
interface, the included 2-meter cable is pin-compatible for an easy
installation. By connecting the cable from the MTBP to the SERCOS control’s IO
connector and loading the PLC application template for the MTBP I/O, it takes
just a few moments to be running with the MTBP.
MACHINEMATE INC has prepared
a PLC application template that includes the processing of all the MTBP inputs and
outputs. It is also available for download from our web site.
For analog systems, a
breakout card can be obtained from MACHINEMATE to convert the 50-pin connector to terminal strip
connections (this card is shown below with the connectors and adapters).
Several vendors offer this card.
Another version of
the MTBP is also available. This MTBP model matches the width of the 11.4”
two-piece operator panels so it has a slightly different layout. This MTBP is
pictured at right.
This panel has the
same set of push buttons and switches as the 19” model, except it has a set of
12 general purpose push buttons rather than 8. This MTBP is available for the
list price of $755.
For the 19”
rack-mount CNC front panel configuration, an Auxiliary Panel is available. This
panel has the same size as the 19” MTBP but it includes just 16 general purpose
push buttons (each with an LED; these can be custom engraved for a nominal
charge) and a handwheel (also called a manual pulse generator or MPG). The
handwheel comes in either 5V encoder or 24VDC input models. One is pictured
below and is available for the list price of $575.
Handheld
Operator Station
The handheld operator station provides a simple solution to
the requirement for remote operator activities. This rugged pendant includes
the 100 increments/rev handwheel, a six-position axis select switch, a
three-position feed multiplier switch, two white pushbuttons (that illuminate)
and the Emergency stop pushbutton (push in to lock, twist out to release). The
white pushbuttons are not labeled so they could be used for axis jogging or
another machine function.
The dust and waterproof pendant (weighing 650g or less than
1.5 pounds) comes with its 3-meter flexible cord that is terminated with a
26-pin round connector. The handheld station (pictured at right) is available
at the list price of $695.
A two-page description (in .pdf) is available.
This cost effective handheld operator station comes in 2
models. The IO model uses a MPG that is 25 PPR and requires 2 at 24V digital
inputs to create the pulse counter. The MPG in the Encoder model is a 25 PPR
differential encoder that requires 5 Volts for its power.
MACHINEMATE INC has prepared a PLC application template that includes the
processing of all the MPG inputs and outputs. It is also available for download
from our web site.
Connectors
and Adapters
Several
connectors and adapters are available from MACHINEMATE INC.
A DIN-rail mounted
interface card is available to connect a 50-pin D-shell connector via terminal
strips. 50-pin cables are used for several connections in a MACHINEMATE system. One of these cards (with either a male or female
connector), shown here, is available at the list price of $150.
MACHINEMATE INC offers two
power supply models, one 5VDC at 25 watts or the other 24VDC at 150 watts. Power
supply information, including data sheets (in pdf), is available.
Various cables (some have connectors on both ends while others have a single connector with flying leads) are available. Push buttons (cycle start/stop, jog plus/minus), rotary override gray-code switches (for feed rate or spindle speed), handwheels (either 5V encoder to 24V input) and other miscellaneous items are also available to assist an integrator.
Feedback
systems
MACHINEMATE INC offers two
rotary encoder models (one shown below) in NEMA 11 size, as potential
candidates for replacing a resolver of the same size. The list price for these
encoders is $199 or $290, based on the mounting requirements. One of these is a
direct size replacement for a size 11 resolver, often found on older CNC
machines. Encoder
information, including data sheets (in pdf), is available.
MACHINEMATE INC also
offers a line of linear feedback encoders (shown below) with an
IP67 environmental rating (completely sealed) that will continue to provide
accurate and reliable readings even when submerged in water, oil or coolant.
The list price for these encoders varies by their length (the smaller system
(both the head and its tube) ranges up to 1 meter while the larger system
ranges up to 11.7 meters). Linear encoder
feedback system information, including data sheets (in pdf), is available.
Drives
and Motors
A wide variety of drives and AC motors are available from MACHINEMATE INC.
The CNC will work with the drives and motors from a variety
of vendors. For a complete automation solution, quality high-performance drives
and motors can also be purchased with the control at a reasonable price. A wide
variety of drive amplifiers and AC motors are available from MACHINEMATE INC as part of
a package.
The AC motors include (motor type and feedback type):
·
MKD (servos, resolver feedback),
·
MHD (servos, encoder),
·
MKE (servos in potentially explosive area, resolver),
·
1MB (frameless spindle, encoder)
·
2AD (spindle, encoder),
·
ADF (spindle, encoder),
·
MBS (kit motor, encoder).
The CNC requires incremental encoder feedback from an analog
drive. The Eco drives will provide that feedback signal to the CNC even if the
motor’s feedback technology is not an encoder. With SERCOS drives (where the
CNC closes the position loop in the drive), the CNC is not involved in the
feedback technology since the axis position comes directly from the drive over
the fiber optic network.
CAM
Conversational
Synergy
Weber Systems
developed the Synergy conversational shop floor part programming software (CAM
or Computer Aided Manufacturing) for MACHINEMATE. The specialized interface allows geometry to be described
quickly and efficiently (or imported from dxf or iges files), using a
combination of icons and a simple data entry prompt. After describing the
geometry, the MACHINEMATE part program
is easily generated. The software has two versions, either for a mill or a
lathe. The price for this software on a new MACHINEMATE CNC shipment is $500.
This software can be
obtained from MACHINEMATE INC or from Weber
Systems (in Wisconsin). Weber Systems also sells more complex CAM packages
(with solid modeling and graphic visualizations) for more sophisticated CAM
applications. Weber Systems provides information from its own web site as well.
CAM
from Cadem
Cadem developed
CAD/CAM packages called CAPSmill for milling applications and CAPSturn for
turning applications. MACHINEMATE can also
provide their CAM package with its CNC. The easy to use operator interface
allows a part and its processing to be described quickly and efficiently using
a combination of icons and graphical data entry dialogs (as shown in the
example here). After describing the geometry, the MACHINEMATE part program
is easily generated. The price for this software on a new MACHINEMATE CNC shipment
is $2000.
This software can be
obtained from MACHINEMATE INC or from Cadem
(based in India). Overviews of the feature sets in CAPSmill
and CAPSturn
are available. Cadem provides information from its own web site as well.
CNC Software Features
Teaching
and Digitizing
MACHINEMATE INC. offers two optional features to help with reverse
engineering jobs. Small brochures are available for each (in pdf format).
The teach feature allows an operator to
teach a part easily, creating a part program that will reproduce the physical
features on the original part as taught (a form of reverse engineering). The
CNC teach feature uses simple functions for the operator, including the points
in a profile (like a contour), points in a circle or arc (the circle/arc center
will be calculated from the points that are taught) and points off the part
(that will be moved at rapid traverse, which are different than those on the
part when the movement will be a programmed feedrate). The feature is also
extensible so if the operator requires more functions such as spindle on and
off or coolant on and off actions during the teaching process, they can be
added very easily. This teaching process records the activity in a part program
that can reproduce the features of the part, as defined by the operator. The
output part program requires minimal editing, usually just the programmed feed
rates and the programmed spindle activity (either clockwise or counterclockwise
at which programmed speed, and perhaps in which gear range).
The digitize feature allows an operator
to automatically digitize a part, creating a part program that will reproduce
the original part. The feature has a simple set up, including the resolution of
the points to be captured on the part and the rough dimensions of the part (XYZ
on a mill or XZ on a lathe). Upon activation, the CNC will move the machine
enabling the touch probe to record the surface of the part. It will also handle
a missing surface, like a hole or an outside surface that is inside the rough
dimensions. This digitizing process records the activity in a part program that
can reproduce the original contours, enabling the reverse engineering of a part
or its features. (A simple touch probe is required for this
feature; touch probes are available from a number of vendors.)
The
six-page products
brochure (in pdf) is available for an overview of the MACHINEMATE INC products.
For
information, please contact us:
MACHINEMATE INC
Fond
du Lac, WI 54935
phone: 920-907-0001
fax: 920-907-0181
email: [email protected]