Hello everyone, first post here. I have been getting quotes for a new Welding/Plasma cutting robot. I have come across an opportunity to purchase 8 new ArcMate 100i's with RJ2 controls and Powerwave 450 power supplies. These have never been installed and have been sitting in a container for the last 16 years. I have some concerns on what problems I may encounter. I assume the batteries will be dead, what else may be effected? Memory? Calibration? Capacitors? Etc.. Anything else I should look for? I anticipate making two of these into Plasma cutting systems with Hypertherm power supplies. Any advice? Is the RJ2 control more difficult to program compared to the newer RJ3ib? Any advice on offline software packages? All your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Buying an ArcMate with RJ2
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pjamet -
February 6, 2014 at 1:51 AM -
Thread is marked as Resolved.
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Well, 16 years is a long time....
The mastering and calibration will be lost, because they are depending on batteries.
A much bigger problem is that the core software is maintained by a battery too, and without that the robot is as dead as a dodo.
It is a good quality lithium-cell, but I am pretty sure they don't last for 16 years.So, before you buy, be sure you have a way to fix that, and that you have an estimate of the extra cost.
The robots are new, so maybe the software is still included.
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Yeah the mastering and any TP programs will be lost but the core software is stored in FROM and does not need to be battey backed up. Init start the robots and master them and all should be good after that.
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Wow! Who buys 8 new robots and stores them in a container for 16 years?
Sounds like a good find and should be a great bargain. -
Thanks for the responses. I have found an integrator that will get them up and running. They said replacing the batteries and re-calibrating is no big deal. I am waiting on Fanuc to get me a quote for their support license before I decide to buy them. Planning on setting up a processing cell with 6 welding robots and 2 as plasma cutters. All robots will be mounted on linear tracks. Any suggestions on software? I am hoping to offline program where we import a SolidWorks part file with the fixtures, clamps etc.. Would like to find software that will allow us to "tilt" the plasma torch automatically to compensate for the plasma cut angle. This will enable us to cut straight holes in thicker materials.
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I see you already got some comments for robot side but if I were you I would do a bit research on welder side as well.
Power Wave 450 is a very old analog machine and as far as I know Lincoln Electric is no longer make it. You may find it difficult to get parts and service for your welders.
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How can I purchase 1 or 2 of them?