Denford Starturn 8 Lathe Docs & Software needed.

[Andrew BinningParticipant @andrewbinning37010]

[Andrew BinningParticipant @andrewbinning37010]

Having drawn a blank with Denfords I am hoping that some one has a the documentation and software for a Starturn 8 CNC Lathe. 1987 year so is probably DOS based software. I would be grateful for a copy ( I will pay costs ) of the docs and software to get this machine operational. The Stepper drives are Digiplan SD3 and main motor is a Cheetah Anyspeed ASP~5 DC controller. The lathe is fitted with a tool changer.

Hope someone can help me here please?

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

Andrew

Couple of links take you to some info and the 2nd one to the Denford Forum.

**LINK**

**LINK**

Emgee

[Andrew BinningParticipant @andrewbinning37010]

Thank you for your links , but as I said , I have gone through the Denford forums which are the only source of documentation/software for the older Denford machines. I had a very prompt reply from the MD who sent me two photos of the processor board in a Starturn 8 but neither of them bore any resemblance to my hardware. So I don't know the names of the hardware or the software to drive it. The Stepper drives are Digiplan SD3s and the head stock drive motor controller is an Cheetah Anyspeed ASP~5 in and the lathe has an ATC fitted. I have mentioned these items in case anyone recognises these combinations of hardware.

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

Andrew

Have you been to this page ?

**LINK**

Emgee

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Emgee on 26/03/2021 23:16:26:

Andrew

Have you been to this page ?

**LINK**

Emgee

.

Just for curiosity’s sake, I tried your link … which [as posted] doesn’t work

… somehow, an extra ‘http’ has crept into the address

This should do the trick: **LINK**

http://www.denfordata.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=3376

… It looks an excellent find !!

MichaelG.

[Rod AshtonParticipant @rodashton53132]

Tried for a long time to get my Starturn 5 slant bed to perform with Denford software. Gave up and converted to Mach 3 and laterly to PlanetCNC. Never looked back. Excellent machines.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Denford machines are excellent generally, though it looks like the Starturn is based on a small Emco platform? None the worse for that. I have a Novamill that came (fortunately IMHO) without the controller and software, so I have used Mach 3 with modern drivers but keeping the original steppers. The tool changer is a bit of a wild card but I'd suggest that you don't bother with any of the control electronics and just replace the stepper drivers and get a modern controller such as UCCNC or Mach4 with a motion control card.

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

Michael, strange the link got corrupted, thanks for re-posting a working link. Same happened again when using the LINK menu, link when posted didn't work.

Andrew

Starturn 8 software on the forum at  http://www.denfordata.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=2087 

Emgee

Edited By Emgee on 27/03/2021 10:01:28

Edited By Emgee on 27/03/2021 10:03:23

[Andrew BinningParticipant @andrewbinning37010]

Emgee , your last link , amended by Michael G , http://www.denfordata.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=2087 has a photo of boards in a machine that is only 6 months older than mine but they are all different from the boards in my machine. Denford MD , Steve , sent me that link as well but it was no help.

So far all the links that I have seen have not turned up anything that looks like my kit! My plan is to try and find the software that will run the lathe and then sell it , I would love to get stuck in and do a conversion to interface with Mach 3 but I have a loco that needs building and the Starturn is a distraction!

Thanks everyone for suggestions.

Andrew

[Rod AshtonParticipant @rodashton53132]

Would it not serve you well to sell "as is" ?

[Andrew BinningParticipant @andrewbinning37010]

Rod, It may come to that but the lathe belongs to a friend who has entrusted it to me to obtain best value so I am obliged to try and get it in a working state. He used it 20 years ago but can't find the software! I am still exploring other avenues for the software but if all else fails I have already had a PM from someone who is interested in it as is.

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

Just because the boards have a different appearance they can still use the same software, you won't know until you download and attempt to run the machine.

If you use the link it takes you to a copy of the software to run your machine, if you want an older version I can send that via email if you pm me your email address.

Emgee

[Andrew EvansParticipant @andrewevans67134]

I think most people upgrade these to work with a modern controller anyway so I can't see you getting any more money if it works with the original software or not. I would sell as is or if you have the inclination upgrade it and then sell.

[Andrew BinningParticipant @andrewbinning37010]

I realise the different boards may run the same software but I was also hoping to get connection schematics which relate to my board. With a view to doing a conversion.

I have sent a PM for the older software. Thanks.

The other query I have just now is regarding the RS232 protocol. Is it a null modem or a DCE-DTE connection. It would be helpful if I could eliminate this as a source of failure before I start trying to work through the software and what files need to be run before which.

[Andrew BinningParticipant @andrewbinning37010]

Whoops! I should have said null modem cable ( Rx to Tx and Tx to Rx or DTE-DCE and hand shaking with the other functions , e.g. RTS to CTS and CTS to RTS) or DTE-DTE in other words straight Tx to Tx and Rx to Rx and so on with the other functions.

I hope I have got this right now

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