longam
03-03-10, 08:15 PM
Working in the industrial world has allowed me to explore many other opportunities in my field of Machine repair aka maintenance. I often do large trouble shooting on our main lines at work to diagnose problems in control panels the size of refrigerators, but I had the oportunity lately to rebuild a production band saw from scratch.
Our company purchased this saw from an auction of another company going south and we got it at a really good price. The unit mechanically was sound and all motors were operational. I had to get the hydraulic cylinders rebuilt, but nothing new considering its use and age.
The first thing I got to do was rip out the control panel. While looking into the control panel (guessing 1970's tech) I seen that it had been hacked and wacked by many before me. There was no way I was going to try and make it work so I just gutted it and started over.
Here is some pictures of what it looks like after the strip down. I also included some old PLC components from the saw. The main control panel for the operator had mini push buttons which you cant see very good in the top photo.
http://www.longam.net/sh4/panel1.jpg
So to make a long story short, I replaced all components with new. Installed a Mitsubishi PLC and programed it for automatic operation. I had to include DC voltage for the current DC hydraulic valves (blue wire).
My first test run only found a few circuits not correct so I was proud of that feat considering I built it on a bench. Final Pic below
http://www.longam.net/sh4/panel2.jpg
Edit: Also they had the flow control valve inside the control panel which leaked (controlled the feed rate). I moved it outside the panel.
Our company purchased this saw from an auction of another company going south and we got it at a really good price. The unit mechanically was sound and all motors were operational. I had to get the hydraulic cylinders rebuilt, but nothing new considering its use and age.
The first thing I got to do was rip out the control panel. While looking into the control panel (guessing 1970's tech) I seen that it had been hacked and wacked by many before me. There was no way I was going to try and make it work so I just gutted it and started over.
Here is some pictures of what it looks like after the strip down. I also included some old PLC components from the saw. The main control panel for the operator had mini push buttons which you cant see very good in the top photo.
http://www.longam.net/sh4/panel1.jpg
So to make a long story short, I replaced all components with new. Installed a Mitsubishi PLC and programed it for automatic operation. I had to include DC voltage for the current DC hydraulic valves (blue wire).
My first test run only found a few circuits not correct so I was proud of that feat considering I built it on a bench. Final Pic below
http://www.longam.net/sh4/panel2.jpg
Edit: Also they had the flow control valve inside the control panel which leaked (controlled the feed rate). I moved it outside the panel.