Any advice for fitting Rockettrinics ELS to Super7

I have an old S7 with MachineDRO DRO fitted. I fancy making up for lack of gearbox and power cross feed by fitting an ELS.

I prefer easy projects to challenges. So I'm thinking I get as much from Rockettronics as possible.

Any advice on benefits of the pro controller over basic?

I think I get the kit for lathes upto 150kg (3nm) but get the servo version (I guess less issues with missed steps)? Or should I go for a larger kit (more torque at 8nm).

Thanks for any advice

I have no views on the supplier. But, if you are motorising both leadscrew and Xfeed then in my view you might as well go for full CNC.

On my S7n I have 2 standard NEMA23 steppers, the main leadscrew being driven with a 2:1 toothed belt reduction, and I think 2A drive current. I have never had an issue with missed steps except when I've managed to crash a tool (but that seldom). For a Myford I can't see that high torque or servos will be much benefit.

Jack,

Have you seen the note on the Rocketronics web site that states that the els kit is currently metric only?

When I fitted an els to my lathe, I used bits available from James Clough and followed his method of control using a nema23 stepper motor with error feedback inbuilt. Pictures in my album. This only gave control on the Z-axis as I didn't have powered crossfeed.

John

This fellow Jan Sverre Haugjord on Youtube has done a number of ELS installs on various Myfords: https://youtu.be/vzGhr4lxajY

Not the slickest presentation style but lots of info if you have the patience to dig through his videos.

William.

Thanks All.

Jan has a much better presentation style than me, And a much cleaner S7. I think he uses the servo kit and the cheaper controller.

I think the more expensive controller can display rotational indexing positions so could replace the dividing head (well, need a spindle lock) which, if I could be bothered to sell, would pay for the extra. But, when did I last use the lathe for indexing?

On the lathe, I only work in metric now I have DRO (although I am just beginning to realise that imperial seems more convenient for woodwork). I think you can just config a conversion ratio in the controller so it isn't a problem adapting to the imperial leadscrew.

I suspect the MDRO install is going to complicate the cross slide feed which is a shame.

I am a bodger (actually, that is an insult to real bodgers). I make stuff without planning or drawing. The automation on the Rockettronics would aid this approach. CNC needs some planning. I want things to be simple to 'pick back up'. I got really into 3d printing with heavily modified printer and firmware, and quite good at Fusion 360, but after a break I can't face the learning curve to work out how it all works again... so I don't want to make that mistake again. Maybe I do CNC on the mill next.

Edited By jaCK Hobson on 22/07/2023 09:54:32

The pro controller has lots of advantages. I like the rotary input knob for jogging

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju1xzv6tQVE

So I ordered. Price showed incl Vat, but I didn't actually get charged VAT. Now it stuck awaiting customs payment... and I'm awaiting payment instructions via snail mail. Take back control!

Jack, I have a Rocketronics system on my S7 and I am enjoying getting to grips with it (not much spare time during the summer months) .

Albeit only metric, a simple division by 25.4 will create the imperial threads you want.

My only gripe is that the entry level unit is slightly different to the PRO version (which I have). The PRO version does not have the auto pause facility when threading if you only motorise the Z axis. It was initially a pain as I wanted to thread before I motorised the X axis.

I'm happy to post pictures etc for my installation.

I initially implemented the Atomic ELS system but wanted to fully automate threading - the Atomic ELS only supports Z axis implementation.

Matt

Nice. I got the Pro.

I forgot I started this thread so added to an old one:

I'm currently installing on an old Super 7. It is a cheap way of getting the equivalent of power cross feed and gearbox (gearbox alone now goes for the cost of the complete kit).

I could easily pull it all off if I switched machines.

The challenge with the install is how to physically connect the components : spindle encoder, x and Z motors.

Some observations:

I have the 'hidden under the cross slide' DRO from machine DRO and this would complicate putting the Z motor on the back of the cross slide (where it would probably look nicest. So I'm putting mind on the front, using a bracket bolted to cross slide T-slot.

The toothed belts/wheels for printers (and 3D printers) are cheap and good for light loads. '2GT' 2mm pitch 6mm wide. Lots of options next day delivery on Amazon. Excellent for spindle encoder... but I didn't find them until I had already used 5mm pitch 10mm wide. I will see if it is enough for cross slide.... an 80 tooth wheel replaces the dial gauge while retaining the handle which is really neat. 60 tooth might work and be even neater.

Certainly happy to stick with bigger belts for leadscrew. I put it on the handwheel end.

Document from rocketronics suggests not to gear down steppers too much (steppers lose torque at higher revs so gear down for torque doesn't always help) and stick to whole ratios.

Now I just have to wire it all up...

So I made a few wiring and dip-switch mistakes but I got all the motors working... now have to calibrate.

Easy conical threading!

'embed' option gone from Youtube for me

But after this I restarted and the screen stays blank and will not play anymore. Just as I was starting to have fun

It doesn't seem like a common problem so I have to wait for Rocketronics support - they have been on holiday

Edited By jaCK Hobson on 02/09/2023 18:03:38

I note it seems to do all sorts of things... except ball handles. Elliptical grooves and tapers, so you can have half a ball but not a ball handle...

Std screwthread relief to DIN 76-1 seems a nice feature.