CNC Machine Controls are somewhat Generic as they can be Adapted to Different Machines by Changing the Stored Parameters & Macro Programs that tell Control how to run a Particular Machine.

This Special Parameter & Macro Program Information is Custom Written by the

Manufacture of Your Machine Tool 

( Not the Control Manufacturer! )

Specificity for each Model Machine Tool.

If this Control Information is Ever Lost ,  Your Machine Will Not Run Until it is Correctly Replaced!

In Early Strippit  HECC80/1 Type Controls this Information was in Non-Volatile  EPROM  Memory that could Store it Correctly for Decades even with No Power to Control & Machine.

Later Strippit  HECC80/3 Type Controls and  Fanuc GN6 Controls Stored this Data in  Bubble Memory that also required No Power to hold it for Decades.

The Fanuc OP Control was used by Strippit,  Amada,

and other CNC Machine Tool Companies in Late 1980's and 1990's.   The OP is a Good Control,  but

it Stores Critical Parameters & Macro Programs in Volatile,  but Battery Backed-Up  RAM  Memory.

Strippit  &  Fanuc  Poorly Document the Fact that You are Suppose to put New Batteries in Control Every Year.    And let's be Honest Here,  if you even Have the Strippit & Fanuc Controls Books,  Nobody at your Company has Ever Read Books anyway.

So, Sit Down on Floor and Read the Hard-To-Read Printing Molded into Black-Cover in Lower Left Side of your Control,  Like Control in the Photos.   It says Change Batteries once a Year and to be sure

Control Power is On when Replacing Batteries.

When Control is On,  Power is Supplied to RAM Memory to keep Data Stored.   When Control Power is Off,  the Batteries take over to keep Data Stored.   But if you do not change Batteries once every year,  eventually Batteries Wear-Out and your Data will be Lost and Machine will Not Run.

Typically,  Machine Manufactures Supplied Disks or Printed Copies of Data so a Good Technician could Reload Lost Control Data.   But you Probably Lost Data when you Lost Manuals.    If you do not have Data Copies and if the Machine Company has Gone Out Of Business or Can't Supply Correct Data, 

your Machine Tool is now Scrap Metal.

Typical Symptoms are  100  and  101  Alarm Error Code Messages on Control CRT Display.    There is Sometimes a  "Low Battery"  Message on Display.

So,  before this Happens,  I Advice;

1 -- Change The Control Batteries!!!

2 -- Download Copies of ALL Parameters and Macro

      Programs to a PC Computer and Store in

      Safe Places.   You may need an Experienced

      Fanuc Control Technician to get All Data!!!

To Change Batteries;

1  --  Turn-On Control

2  --  Leave The Control On!!!

3  --  Remove the Black Battery Cover.

4  --  Remove the  3  "D"  Batteries.

5  --  If Battery Holder Contacts are Dirty or

        Corroded,  Clean with a Scotch-Bright Pad.

6  --  Put in 3 New Alkaline Batteries.

        Do Not use Rechargeable Type Batteries!

7  --  Make sure you Orient Batteries in Correct

        Direction,  so that Plus & Minus are Correct!

8  --  Replace Cover.

9  --  Tape a Paper-Log to Control showing Date

        Batteries were changed so you know when to

        change them again,  like this Customer taped

        on Front Right of their Control.

Strippit & Fanuc OP-Control Battery Problems

Note #1

Be Very Careful Buying a Machine Tool that has Battery Backed-Up Memory that has been Disconnected and Stored in a Warehouse.   These Machines,  Typically Sold By Used Machine Dealers,  often have "Lost"  Books & Manuals,  Lost Control Data Disks & Print-Outs,  and the Controls has Lost the Parameters & Macro Program Data because it may Not have been under Power for Years.    Make Sure you get an Iron-Clad Warranty that the Control & Machine will Run,  and make the Dealer Supply the Books & Manuals & Data Copies,  or do Not Buy the Machine.

Note #2

General Electric 1050 CNC Controls from the Late 1970's and 1980's also have Battery Backed-Up Memory.   But G.E. was Clever,  and had 2 Sets of Batteries.    1 set of  "D"  batteries in a Holder inside Control.    And a Second Small Lithium or Alkaline Battery Hidden in the Backside of the Cardcage Backplane.   Consult your G.E. Control Books and have an Experienced Technician Change these batteries without Dumping this Critical Data.

This page was last updated: October 17, 2011