The "Digimatic" final test and instructions. [PLC controlled L&R Varimatic]
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
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Completed conversion of an old L&R Varimatic watch cleaning machine. These machines were workhorses of the industry through the 60-80's.This project aimed to breathe some new life into the old Varimatic and solve a few issues along the way.
hello love the kit you made when can we see them on the market and can you tell us when and how much or do you have to fit kit brillent idea
Hi! Hoping to have something available next year (2023). Will probably have kits available, plus have a conversion service available. You do have to have your wits about you with doing the conversion though because you need to alter the wiring and the machines all ran on straight 110V or 220V!
Hi, how can I get a kit for my machine?
Hi.
My goals with this have been put on the backburner for a little while. I'm hoping early next year (2023) I should be able to be in a position to start producing kits to the general public.
Thanks for your interest!
Hello, I am so happy to find this video and I am hoping that you might now have your PLC conversion kit available. If not, is is possible to purchase your design and component list, so I can replicate the converion? I very much look forward to hearing from you. :)
@@tfwatches2117
I’m having such a hard time coming by the baskets. The smaller baskets fit on the inside, but I have yet to find the larger baskets that fit on the outside dimples.
The basket frames are hard to come by and the larger ones more so (probably as more people want them). I'm sure with a little bit of fabrication, you could make a new frame, as all it has to do is hook on to the basket motor and hold the basket inserts. Once you have the frame, they are compatible with more recent 64mm baskets (from machines like ACS900, etc).
Hi, I've just bought an old L&R Vari-Matic via eBay and it's fitted with one of your PLCs! Does this mean it was probably one of yours or is the kit you mention now available? It works very well and, once I'd seen this video, it's easy to operate :) I wonder if you have any documentation you'd be happy to share? Not the software necessarily, but a wiring diagram would be interesting and might help with maintenance in the future.
I did convert a handful of machines and sold them on, so it will be one of the ones I converted. Kits are still being tweaked based on feedback I've had so far. Wiring is very self-explanatory and a lot of it is still mains voltage so I'm reluctant to encourage people to play inside who aren't proficient.
A quick reference sheet for the machine can be found here. docs.google.com/document/d/1AE8NITSK8-QaPxI0OoNZIMSHP7q2WPz5/edit
@@tfwatches2117 Many thanks for the reply and for the link to the document. Out of interest, bearing in mind your 'tweaks', is it possible to update the device in situ? Unusually, I haven't 'taken-the-lid-off' yet to see the gubbins 🤓 My Father was a professional watchmaker and, many years ago, I modified his automatic cleaning machine to be controlled by a 6502 processor and lots of relays. Your firmware and interface is much more elegant! A very nice project.
@@martincharman9759 The changes I'm making are more to do with the hardware in the kit. Easier manufacture and installation, so not really needed for up and running systems. And the PLC is accessible, so one could update the system if needed or even write their own code if they wanted.
Very cool that you did it with a 6502 back in the day!
Is there a reason you went with PLC? This seems much easier and cheaper to do with a microcontroller platform, like Arduino. It would make sense if the conversion was meant to be used in large watch shops, running 5-6 of these, but for hobbyist use it could be done much more elegant with less money and even be simpler.
First and foremost, I have previous PLC experience so programming and set up was very quick and easy. PLCs are also designed exactly for this type of application, industrial control, so it was an obvious choice.
I do not believe it could be any more simple, with more elegance or much cheaper with a micro (they are not that different in price to a standard Arduino). I do not doubt you could have an equivalent system though if you are keen to design one that way.
@@tfwatches2117 Yeah, I work with PLC's for living so I know all the pro's and cons. I mean it works, that's the most important thing, it's just finesse. What PLC controller you use? I assume something like SoftPLC?
The microcontroller solution could be fitted in an altoids tin for under $20 + motors and motor drivers. It's also fairly easy to set up if you want to later distribute plans to make these or even sell them as kits.
I'd love to help you out in the development, this is a really neat idea.
Sorry if I came off a bit arrogant in the first comment or it sounded like I was mocking your solution - English isn't my first language so things I write often don't appear mean or offensive to me until I get feedback and realise there's a clear obnoxious, unfriendly undertone.
@@lazar2175 That's ok, it is a genuine question to ask.
The PLC I use is a clone of the Mitsubishi FX series, they are bigger than some micros but still fits in the palm of your hand and space isn't a huge concern in these old machines. Again, their price isn't far off what you mentioned. I know some PLCs *cough* Allen-Bradley *cough* are very pricey.
I'm already in the process of creating kits and should be shipping my first next week.
@@tfwatches2117 That's really neat. I found you through r/watchmaking, looking forward to seeing your kits on there! Just curious, what's your background?
I'm really just a beginner in the watchmaking world, so I still don't own a cleaning machine but I'm keeping my eye out for one now.
I actually have my own watchmaking project too - Open Source Timegrapher. It's still in the development phase but I think I'll be able to release the guide, code/program and .stl files before 2022. I'm also hoping to write my bachelor paper/dissertation on this project. I'm majoring in Industrial Engineering, praying this project makes for a good subject lol.
@@lazar2175 Feel free to contact me on Reddit and we can chat more about things.
What sort of issues? Can you share your design?
It's not uncommon to have the microswitches burn out on these from switching the high current of the indexing motor, changing to solid state relays solves that.
Also the spin off time was only about 6-7 seconds in the original which wasn't enough, I've more than doubled it.
I plan on providing an upgrade kit so others can do this as well.