Thread: Kellenberger with Heidenhain Control?

I need some assistance with variable programming on a KelVaria with a Heidenhain controller.

Basically just OD Grinding. Traverse grinding to a specific diameter with T1 and repetitive plunge grinding with T4 to a specific depth. Same part in one chucking.

Variables to set the T1 diameter, and the T4 plunge (by depth, distance apart, and how that distance changes over a certain distance)

I have had TERRIBLE luck with Hardinge's support of Kellenberger and I don't want to use them again. (Unless Hell freezes over)

If somebody can write the program, with commenting so I could emulate it, I would be wiling to pay for the assistance.

I even have an example program on KelVaria that is pretty similar, but for a different control to translate from.

PM Me if you can help with programming...


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If you're interested, here's why I don't want to use Hardinge:

Hardinge/Kellenberger wants $5000, paid ahead of time to come out and instruct on it. That means that whatever the results turn out to be, they already have my money. Not wise dealing with this group.

Last time they came out and after $10k worth of "work", they left me stranded with a broken machine, mis-diagnosed problems and no ideas for solving it. Tech just left and nobody followed up.

Some of it was actually due to the technician's errors, including failure to refill critical lube tanks after draining them during what was supposed to be a comprehensive PM.

I ended up fixing it myself with some help from Heidenhain (NOT Hardinge)on diagnosing some encoder issues (resulting from the tech improperly prepping the machine for moving), and a lot of hours on my part.

Unbelievably, most of the $$$ was for their technician to travel to my shop on the west coast. Hardinge takes your CC Number then uses it to buy plane tickets last minute rather than planning ahead. Basically a party on the customer's dime. This technician even billed hundreds of dollars for meals he didn't even pay for.

Instead of taking a direct flight, the Tech took one with a 5-hour layover enroute and billed $200/hr for 15 hours of travel time, at least 5 hours of which were HARDINGE'S fault for not booking the flight early enough!!!

Even worse, everybody at Hardinge on the East Coast goes home at 4PM, so once you return from lunch on the West Coast, there's nobody at the home office to help the tech with any troubleshooting. Their Technician's hourly rate isn't worth paying in the afternoon, because he's working blind unless it's an easy task.

Funny thing was they didn't have to rip me off in one big lump...my business plan included hiring them once a year to do a major PM on the machine. They certainly lost that opportunity with this sort of business practice.

So, I'm trying to work without handing them another dime.

Next time, I'll buy a Studer grinder!

Curious if other people have similar experiences with machine tool vendors?

Originally Posted by Tintruder

If you're interested, here's why I don't want to use Hardinge:

Hardinge/Kellenberger wants $5000, paid ahead of time to come out and instruct on it. That means that whatever the results turn out to be, they already have my money. Not wise dealing with this group.

Last time they came out and after $10k worth of "work", they left me stranded with a broken machine, mis-diagnosed problems and no ideas for solving it. Tech just left and nobody followed up.

Some of it was actually due to the technician's errors, including failure to refill critical lube tanks after draining them during what was supposed to be a comprehensive PM.

I ended up fixing it myself with some help from Heidenhain (NOT Hardinge)on diagnosing some encoder issues (resulting from the tech improperly prepping the machine for moving), and a lot of hours on my part.

Unbelievably, most of the $$$ was for their technician to travel to my shop on the west coast. Hardinge takes your CC Number then uses it to buy plane tickets last minute rather than planning ahead. Basically a party on the customer's dime. This technician even billed hundreds of dollars for meals he didn't even pay for.

Instead of taking a direct flight, the Tech took one with a 5-hour layover enroute and billed $200/hr for 15 hours of travel time, at least 5 hours of which were HARDINGE'S fault for not booking the flight early enough!!!

Even worse, everybody at Hardinge on the East Coast goes home at 4PM, so once you return from lunch on the West Coast, there's nobody at the home office to help the tech with any troubleshooting. Their Technician's hourly rate isn't worth paying in the afternoon, because he's working blind unless it's an easy task.

Funny thing was they didn't have to rip me off in one big lump...my business plan included hiring them once a year to do a major PM on the machine. They certainly lost that opportunity with this sort of business practice.

So, I'm trying to work without handing them another dime.

Next time, I'll buy a Studer grinder!

Curious if other people have similar experiences with machine tool vendors?

I think Ox may be interested in this rant...

For what it's worth, I've had a decent experience with Hardinge. The Fanuc drive blew in my lathe and they replaced at no charge. The only problem I have is when I call for support over the phone. They may or may not get back to you before the day is out.

First off I am sorry for not directly answering any of your problems. I was wondering if you would share with us (me) the name of the tech that came to your shop.

Thanks for the info Tintruder. I am looking at cnc OD grinders and the Harding reseller was in to talk to me. I'll count them out if they treat you like they did. I hope Studer is better. They sure have a reputation for quality.

I don't know anything about grinders. But do use an HH i530tnc. What model controller are you using? Are you using it in iso(g-code) mode or in heidenhain's language (which I call H code because that's the extension the put on the files.)