Originally Posted by
Karl_T
I happen to have a CHNC with a Camsoft control. Wonderful combination.
I replaced the spindle motor with a 7.5 HP 3phase and VFD. The servos are brushed DC so servo amps are cheap and easily found. I replaced the encoders with ones from US digital.
Now the turret was a difficult project. Its an air motor with a stop pin and a sort of custom encoder - 3 inputs to tell eight position and goes to zero in between each location. I also found things a bit worn here and had to use high air pressure to make it pop up and rotate. That made it move too fast for the stop pin to catch it. Had to add an exhaust brake solenoid one position ahead- engage this and turret slows down. that lets the stop pin catch it. The logic here is complex - not for a beginner.
many people have made the CHNC into a gang tool lathe and scrapped the turret. That would GREATLY simplify the refit.
Here's the logic to index the turret, either from the operator panel or an M6 <tool#>