Thread: Help needed to software for CNC hercus

I cannot help you in either respect.

But I think I know something about computers. You may (I am not sure, but I think this is likely to be correct) find that due to the age of the lathe it was designed to operate with contemporary computers, using contemporary media (such as 3.5" or 5.25" diskettes) on a contemporary operating system, such as Windows 3, or MS-DOS 4 etc, and a contemporary CPU such as an 8088, 8086, 80386 etc ?

The significance of all that is that not only might you need the software, you might also need a complete vintage PC, in working order, to load the software into. (Maybe you have the computer already ?) But if not, these things are possible to find, but may take some looking. I suppose you could try a certain notorious auction website.

Donald

Originally Posted by woodfast

A friend has a CNC hercus lathe but has no software for it I don't have the model of it the BC measurement would be about 300mm or around that does anyone know where to get or have the software

I just did a quick search with google for "hercus cnc lathe" and found quite a lot of info. Give that a try first. There is quite a bit on the Computurn and pc200 cnc's.
Mal

Originally Posted by Tiptoeturtle

I cannot help you in either respect.

But I think I know something about computers. You may (I am not sure, but I think this is likely to be correct) find that due to the age of the lathe it was designed to operate with contemporary computers, using contemporary media (such as 3.5" or 5.25" diskettes) on a contemporary operating system, such as Windows 3, or MS-DOS 4 etc, and a contemporary CPU such as an 8088, 8086, 80386 etc ?

The significance of all that is that not only might you need the software, you might also need a complete vintage PC, in working order, to load the software into. (Maybe you have the computer already ?) But if not, these things are possible to find, but may take some looking. I suppose you could try a certain notorious auction website.

Donald

Donald, in the early ones there was no PC involved in the computurn. This ihas an "embedded" processor (although that word hadn't been invented yet) called an ANCA controller and entirely propriatary operating system and software. I don't recall if and what any removable media was used at all.
The later ones used a DOS and latest ones even a Windows PC. They wer made for about 15 years.
I suggest the OP contact Stephen at Hercus in SA for direction.

Originally Posted by jhovel

Donald, in the early ones there was no PC involved in the computurn. This ihas an "embedded" processor (although that word hadn't been invented yet) called an ANCA controller and entirely propriatary operating system and software. I don't recall if and what any removable media was used at all.
The later ones used a DOS and latest ones even a Windows PC. They wer made for about 15 years.
I suggest the OP contact Stephen at Hercus in SA for direction.

Thanks Joe do you have a contact number or email for Stephen at Hercus South Australia thanks mate David

Try Simon at Applied Numeric Control, he used to be the sevice engineer at Hercus for the CNC machines , 08 8234 7972

Have you had any luck with with the software , do you have any more information as to what model it is or a photos of the lathe

Originally Posted by woodfast

Thanks Joe do you have a contact number or email for Stephen at Hercus South Australia thanks mate David

Hercus stopped making lathes around the mid 1980s, some 30 years ago!!! They now make power transmission systems. I'm not having a go, but how do you think a call would be received if you rang up the local Holden dealer and asked them about the ins and outs of a 1985 Gemini or VK Commodore?

Hercus is an iconic Australian brand in this field. I don't know how business is going for them these days, but not too many in this field in Australia are exactly setting the world alight with their business success! I hope we see the name around for a lot longer yet and frankly think it's rather inconsiderate to encourage anyone to ring them and ask them to provide free advice about products that in any other field would be land fill 3 times over!

As Mal said, Google is your friend here, and there are a number of enthusiasts who should be able to help with enough information to help you out.

My understanding is that Hercus stopped making the Cnc machines about 6 to 8 years ago at that time they were over $30000 and made to order