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I just picked this mill up at a sale it was going cheap, I think,but it was a buy it now figure it out later situation. I am trying to figure out what I bought and how to operate the computer. it also came with an old desktop model computer running windows 98 on it that is password protected and the last guy that used it is in the netherlands somewhere. We trying to break through the password to see whats on it. any advice would be appreciated. overlook the mess. I just barely got it put into place when I took these Attached ImagesDo not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Reply:Is the password on Windows or on the controller?  If it's on the PC side, there are many things you can do (google for solution), if the controller, call Anilam.  They're very helpful and easy to get on the phone.
Reply:try, most home pc's running like win95/xp/2k will have an administrator account, unless the admin was smart enough to remove it...for the pc try username administratorpassword administrator also you can go to control panel, user accounts, there should be a couple users and a guest account..i just got an old xp pro computer running that come from a large manufacturing facility.. that pc had a furnace1 user, and administrator, and guest user...  i got lucky no one had deleted the original admin account so i was able to access it through there.... turns out actually the username furnace1 password was furnace1.. you can also disable passwords in the same area, i think theres a box you can uncheck to disable the password.  its possible the pc has mastercam or some sort of cad/cam system on it, so you dont want to screw it up, and dont delete any user accounts or you could disable the cad/cam software if it was installed on that user account only.... as fas as the crusader controls go i havent ever used one, if you find that it will run basic g-code programming, i am pretty familiar with g-code programming..Last edited by brucer; 08-24-2011 at 10:41 PM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:well my brother got into pc somehow, he is a nutcase on a lot of stuff but computers are an open book for him. There was all kinds of machining programs on it. and there was some software not sure what it is I havent looked at it yet, but it looks like Im going to have to learn how to do this programming . Any recommendations on books for laymen to learn underlying principles? It runs g code. I spent the last two hours following the directions to do a demo run  it works. what should I do? I had an offer of 4 times what I paid for it. I could get a real nice mechanical machine for a couple grand, alright Im rambling Last edited by idacal; 08-24-2011 at 11:37 PM.Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Reply:get a freeware cad programget a freeware cam programrun some 'free air' g code and get that puppy making some partsESAB Heliarc 252
Reply:if you have it up and running i think i would have to learn how to program it if i were in your position... i know how to program g-code, i cut my teeth on fanuc and yasna controllers, programming g-code.. its relatively simple once you get the hang of it... just starting off it'll be a steep curve but once the bulb turns on for you its pretty much cake..  i havent ever programmed an anilam contoller, but if its g-code its pretty similar either way.. if there are g-code programs on the pc, i would almost bet there is cad/cam software on it somewhere... look for bobcad or mastercam, they might have removed it before selling also.... he could also have just been using the pc as a server to store programs on....  you can write down the different pc programs on the computer and list them here,someone will probably know. the amilam controller is also a good controller and a supermax is i good brand mill... if i had it at my house and it was running, it wouldnt leave, you can make more money with it, than you could ever by selling it outright...  also, if it runs, you also have a manual mill... it can be ran manual or cnc, very versatile machine... also its 3 axis, so it will cut 3d toolpaths also, which makes it even better.. more than likely there is an rs232 cable that connects the pc to the machine controller.supermax is a good quality taiwan machinealso if you turn the machine controller on and it reads 0,0,0 in xy and z the battery for the memory is probably dead... did you get an operators manual with it?Last edited by brucer; 08-25-2011 at 01:21 AM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:too add the crusader M controller, uses m-codes also, so you pretty much have a cnc mill now. parts availability might be a kicker though. i would load up some simple milling program and let it run for a while, and vary the spindle rpms in the program while its running, make sure it doesnt overheat or blow fuses..  might look inside the cabinet and see if its diry or clean, if its fairly dirty you might take a vacuum cleaner and very gently clean it up... make sure all the fans are working good, and clean any air filters in it..  some cnc machines have an intake and exhaust fan.. its probably a mid to late 80's model...  maybe a ycm-40 first thing to check would be the backlash, i'm sure that machine has got some mileage on it..Last edited by brucer; 08-25-2011 at 01:51 AM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:the computer has mastercam I going to start playing with that, Im just computer illiterate. The machine is fairly clean the electrical panels are very clean it was in the back corner of an r&d shop that was closing down that did some kind of electronic doohicky work and this machine was to big. it did come with a manual, the only issue I have found so far is the variable speed clutch has a rattle coming from it. the mill model number is ycm12 but the head looks like a 16vs its an 88 modelDo not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Reply:what version of mastercam is it?  that alone is worth quite a bit if its a licensed version..... did you get the mastercam install disks with the computer?tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:I cannot tell from the pics, but it looks as if this mill can also be used manually???What did you pay for it? I see old NC mills going for a couple hundred (typically scrap value). Granthttp://jackalopefab.com/MM210Synchrowave 200DXMiller XMT350 w/60series feederMiller Bobcat 250 with SGA 100 and spoolgunHTP PlasmaFull Machine shop with everything
Reply:I miss quoted, its supercam thats is the software. I did not get the disks with it. I paid 1300 for it with a 8" rotary table, a bunch of 5c colets, a vice, and some kind of 5c holder. you can run it manualy but I think being consistant on the feeding would be difficult it doent have the precision cranks on it. but Im figuring it out how to just put in a couple lines to cut key ways and stuff like that. as for few hundred for a mill your lucky, a junker out here thats only good for drilling is a 800 to  1000. somebody just called with a 1952 bridgeport wanting 1500 for it.Last edited by idacal; 08-26-2011 at 03:31 PM.Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Reply:brucer how would I check for lash Im guessing that is the slop in the threads right?Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Reply:Originally Posted by idacalbrucer how would I check for lash Im guessing that is the slop in the threads right?
Reply:i clamp a block to the table and use an indicator...  touch indicator off on block and zero the indicator and the machine controller/readouts.. run off the block several inches and return to zero using the readouts, then look at indicator and see how much backlash you have.   you have to do it in one motion dont start and stop several times during.. run it out and change directions and come back to zero in one smooth return motion..you can also use a block that is several inches long... like for x axis i would use like a 12inch gage block and zero indicator on one end, also zero controller..  then run past the other end of the block then come back to the far end of the block using the controller readouts, if its a 12inch block set readouts on 12inch and then read the indicator for backlash amount..  you should have some sort of parameter setting in the controller to adjust backlash, but you only want to adjust backlash when its absolutely needed...  adjusting backlash wrong and or setting to much backlash can promote wear on the ball screw...   that machine has ballscrews, supermax mills were  good quality taiwan made mills..Last edited by brucer; 08-28-2011 at 04:37 PM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:your mill isnt nc, its cnc, different animals....  you got a good deal if the mill checks out ok.. i think you can also manual feed with that controller, setting your feedrate and jogging/feeding with controller..added this,   also when you check backlash, check in several different places thoughout the axis..  most mills will have more backlash towards the center of the axis'...     for instance, alot of toolmakers by habit will set a vise somewhat near the center of the table...   a good practice is to set the vise off to the left or right side when your able too, you'll more than likely find you have very little backlash on the outer ends of either axis..Last edited by brucer; 08-28-2011 at 05:58 PM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:thanks brucer, your help is appreciated on this, do you have any recommendations of books on the basics of milling, how to figure feed rates, how deep of cut to take at a pass stuff of that nature? It is a lot cheaper to learn from a book before I snap cutters rather than after  I have never ran a mill just a lathe some. I am getting the controller figured out somewhat and its starting to make senseDo not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Reply:you have to get the latest edition of "The Machinery's Handbook"  they can be somewhat expensive, you might try ebay for one, but you need that book, it covers everything you'll need and then some..  there is also a machinists quick reference book that is very useful, its a small blue spiral bound booklet.  you might also ask your local tool supplier, sometimes they have little charts... you should be able to find surface speeds and feeds formulas and such on the internet..  try a google for "figuring speeds and feeds for milling and drilling"  heres some decent reading , it uses formulas from the machinery's handbook http://its.fvtc.edu/machshop3/speedcalc/default.htm heres one of the newer ready reference books i spoke of, it should have speeds and feeds charts in it. [ame]http://www.amazon.com/Machinists-Ready-Reference-C-Weingartner/dp/0970339801[/ame] machinery's handbook is worth its weight in gold, well maybe not worth that much, but it has tons of information in it, from hydraulics, to welding, speeds and feeds, trigonometry, geometry, if it has to do with machinery its in there... [ame]http://www.amazon.com/Machinerys-Handbook-28th-Larger-Print/dp/0831128011[/ame] i've heard this was also a good book to read over and pickup some tricks and tips  http://www.proshoppublishing.com/index.html as far as cnc programming goes, i'm not sure of a good book, i do know the machinery's handbook covers it and the newer versions might cover cnc better than they use to..  when i got into the machines trade cnc was just taking off and there was just a section that touched on the subject.... you might try to locate a teacher locally that could point you to a good book...  your operators manual should have something in it, but might not be too practical to learn from as some of the operators manuals are crap and very hard to follow, but you can probably pick up basics from it.. the anilam controller is a pretty popular controller, you might be able to get books specifically related to learning that controller..Last edited by brucer; 08-28-2011 at 08:59 PM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:I too am just getting started milling . . . have been going though these videos and have found them quite helpful.http://smartflix.com/store/video/574...-Vertical-MillGoing to keep an eye on this post for the book recomendations.Miller Dynasty 200-DX   :   Lincoln SP-180C   :   Cutmaster 52 Plasma  :  O/A Torches   :   Rung Fu RF-31
Reply:to add i think that controller has conversational programming that you might find useful for pocket milling and drilling and such.. something else you could try is to locate a local operator/programmer to teach you the basics, a $100 would go a long way, just try to find an honest older guy with good experience..  also if you have any kind of vocational technical college or post secondary class, most of them will cover cnc, they might offer just a single course on cnc that would be enough to get you a solid understanding to get you going...     if you have any questions i can try to answer them the best i can over the internet..   just remember to run everything in the air first, use single block,  and the big red button is your friend Last edited by brucer; 08-28-2011 at 09:21 PM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:thanks, I will start looking for those books. learning the hard way is a lot more expensive than a book.  I have the manual for the controller Im finding this one is actually fairly simple even though I havent got very far into it. Its set up with the theory, then an example, and a test run for each different function the machine will do. the only problem is I have been punching in the example 4-5 times before it comes clear what Im actually doing, aw the benefits of being stubborn and thick headed . I will get her figured out though.     I thumbed through the manual and it does have that conversational programing you mentioned. I just havent got that far yet.Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Reply:I didnt think of finding a local person that has experience on this programmer.  I will start looking around.Last edited by idacal; 08-28-2011 at 09:54 PM.Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Reply:you can also use wood to learn on, its cheaper than steel or aluminum for sure.. it might splinter a bit and such but you'll be able to see what your cutting..Last edited by brucer; 08-28-2011 at 10:03 PM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:some manuals are written well and easy to follow, you might have gotten lucky.... some are written by a chinaman as english as a 5th language and completely incomprehensible...tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/