A "Meddings Machine Tools" 3-axis servo precision drilling and tapping machine with 6 position automatic rotary toolpost was retrofitted with an AMC motion controller. The precision drilling machine, initially controlled by a NEE PNC4S, has accurately drilled and tapped automotive components 24hrs a day, 7 days a week for 15 years!

A solution had to be found that met the following criteria:

• The existing PNC4 had to be kept & used as a backup until all operators were fully conversant with the new control.
  
  
• Machine downtime had to be kept to a minimum to maintain production levels.
  
  
• The 3 most common part programs had to be converted for the new control and stored
  
  
• New part programs had to be generated in a similar format to that used on the PNC4S
  
  
• Part programs had to be reliably stored and easily accessed. The PNC4S used magnetic tape which proved unreliable over 15 years
  

Burny / AMC supplied a new control system comprised essentially of an AMC4 controller, fitted with 3 AXOR 8/16 drives plus a brake option on the Z axis.

Also included was an AMC to PNC converter box, containing all the interface electronics for the AMC4. The surface of the box had connectors fitted to simulate the back panel connector arrangement of the PNC4. The box, mounted near the rear of the existing PNC4, made it easy to switch between the AMC & PNC by switching the machine connections from the box to the PNC4 & vice-versa.

Also supplied was AMC RPS software, this was installed on the customer's laptop computer.

The upgrade was accomplished in 3 days. During the installation period, the engineer was able to switch the AMC4 back to the PNC4 so the machine could continue production through the night.

Although the control was still working it was starting to become unreliable. The customer's operations relied on the machine, and in the light of the controllers age and the fact that some internal components were becoming obsolete they concluded that a new control was required.

The new system provided a number of advantages:

• A 25% increase in machine productivity
  
  
• Improved low speed spindle control made it easier to calibrate the machine for new production runs.
  
  
• Multiple jobs can now be stored in the AMC4 memory
  
  
• Job programs are retained in battery backed memory so do not have to be reloaded after each power down.
  
  
• Job programs are now PC based and archived on more reliable PC storage media
  
  
• The AMC is a modern control which will not be affected by component obsolescence for many years