Fanuc 6T setup G50 tutorial. Ikegai AX20 CNC lathe.

In-depth tutorial on how I setup and run my early 80's Ikegai CNC turning center. The Fanuc 6T control did not have geometry offsets like the newer controls, so you have to do a bit of a work-around using G50 coordinate setting.
This method I use does not product the fastest cycle times, but it is a very safe way to run.

[@jimbasile]

Great video! Brought back a lot of memories. I learned on an Ikegai FX20N with a Fanuc 5T freestanding control. We would send the program from the computer to a Teletype machine only to punch the paper tape. We then took the paper tape and fed into the 5T control using the built-in tape reader. We soon went to using a more modern type (GNT 4601) tape reader/punch machine and mylar tape. We could actually go both directions with the program (punch/Read) and kept a library of all the programs in small plastic boxes. We would set the tools using a microscope on a mag base.

[@ytfan3815]

In the 80's we had the same nightmare on a Takisawa TX-1 Fanuc SYSTEM 5T with the tape reader, same freestanding cabinet, no screen, just X-Z read-out and a display for code and wear, only memory for one program, we had also the reader - matrixprinter - puncher unit for tapes, OMG 😁 Biggest trauma was no ref/home position, a simple reset during run or testing ruined the WORK offset position, had to find the reference tool again, other tools had them in the program-code ( G50 style ), there was no GEOM table, only WEAR........ good old days. 🤑

[@jimbasile]

@@ytfan3815 Learning on a system like that really makes you appreciate how far technology has come! It has made me a better programmer for sure!

[@shawnhuk]

Man, fantastic information. I just bought a very similar lathe with Fanuc 6t control (with hilarious tape and drive)

[@CrawfordMethod]

I got one of these boxes from “Ausys”, it has an RS232 port, small lcd screen, and 2 USB port. You can mount it to the machine and use it to transfer files in and out of your machine. If you really want to make it easy, you can get a WiFi USB thumb drive, and stick it in the port. The WiFi thumb drive appears on your desktop as a folder, so you don’t have to keep moving the thumb drive back and forth between your computer and the Ausys device. It’s like a modern network drive on your 80’s machine! I think this seller on EBay is the manufacturer. It has worked very well for me. www.ebay.com/itm/302700635649?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=PLoeAKtYTKC&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=SXkPQlUfS8y&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@isaacmontes3857]

best old controls machines. fanuc and fadal cpu controls are the best

[@hinz1]

Hi Do you know, how to get that "#" symbol on a Fanuc 3T keyboard?? Apparently these things (have a 3T from 1982) can run with variables, but to use these, you need that "#" symbol and I'm unable to get it punched into my machine. Variables would be extremely nice to do multiple passes with reduced diameter.

[@shawnhuk]

Hi again. I have my PC successfully communicating with the Fanuc 6t machine. Question; what CAD/CAM program are you using? And what post processor, that allows you to post with generic coordinates (that you then modify)? Thanks from Ontario, Canada.

[@anhtu5884]

hi ser pls, can you guide me how to program G92, G76? thanks you very much

[@sondaubacvlog]

I did it differently than you. I keep the G50 x0. z0. and T0101 in all programs. I just input the offset geometry tool of t0101 on the machine. I think changing the program is unnecessary when we change tools. Tell me what you think?

[@luiscorral7551]

Great video! My problem is how to send a program from my computer to the machine with FANUC 6T? Can you help with this information. I would appreciate it.

[@CrawfordMethod]

You will need a few things: Cable to go from the machine to computer. The pin out for your machine should be listed in your manual. In the most basic version, you will need to connect RX, TX, and ground. RS232 settings on your machine, the parameters to set this should be in your manual. Start by seeing what they are currently set to, you should be able to set your computer to match. I think I usually use 9600 baud, even parity, software flow control. RS232 settings on computer. Match what you have set on your machine. Software on your machine to transfer/edit files. To test your cable/settings, try to transfer a G code file from your 6T to your computer. Set up the computer program to receive, put 6T control in “program” mode, then type “O1000” (or whatever you program number is) and press the “punch” button. This will “punch” the program out your RS232 port. If your settings are correct it will appear in your computer program. If it does not work, keep checking and adjusting your RS232 parameters. To send a program to the 6T, type “O1000” or whatever program number you want and press “read”. Now hit “send” in your computer program.

[@shawnhuk]

Why is it while you're setting up Z and X are W and U?

[@TheDawn5708]

I think w and U are for incrimental programming.

[@CrawfordMethod]

W, U, and V are the complementary axis for Z, X, and Y. These are usually for incremental moves. On this control, a "G28" command will make the machine move to X0, Z0, (work coordinate) then back to the home position. Because we just set these to the face of the part, this could cause the tool to crash into the face of the part, or at very least some pucker-factor for the operator as the tool shoots towards the part! So for the "G28 U0 W0" command, you are saying "make the G28 move back to machine coordinate home position, but incrementally 0, 0 before you go there." An incremental move of U0, W0 is no motion at all, so the tool moves straight to machine home position.

[@utk.k]

Carl is there an email I get in touch with you @. I have a few questions regarding my Fanuc 6T

[@gasperoblak5755]

What comand do you type to insert a comment?

[@CrawfordMethod]

On the 6T control, you do not have a full alphabet keyboard, and also you cannot type all of the possible special characters. (parenthesis are usually what you use to make comments) but you do not have a parenthesis on the keyboard, so you cannot add comments into your program from the machine. However, you CAN have (comments) in your program that you load from your computer or other program source, the control ignores them like usual. Long story short, add comments while you write or edit that program from your computer.

[@gasperoblak5755]

​@@CrawfordMethod Thanks for information. It seemed to me also that this is only possible way. I will put parentheses in my computer.

[@pobsky]

im working on a tl40 with 6t , - offsets = + ha , fun and games