It also makes more sense when you have the controller in front of you. We'll have to sort out details like adding home switches, incoming mains switching, stuff like that, but nothing too complicated, I hope.Well so far I'm very satisfied with SZGH and the manual isn't that bad after you have read it a few times. You aren't going to learn how to build a CNC machine from scratch with them but if you know what you are doing it seems ok. I've been through the SZGH manuals and while they are not exactly perfect English, to date they seem pretty good. It's a few hundred quid more than using the SZGH 1000mdb controller with new DC drives and existing motors but it should be simpler to put together - probably not the route I would have taken if it were my own machine but he wants to be up and running with minimum fuss and I don't want another project. He has organised someone to make up adaptor plates for the new AC servos, to replace the SEM motors. My friend has ordered a pallet-load of kit from SZGH. If it were my machine, I would probably spend a bit more time on investigation but this machine belongs to someone who wants to use it, not turn it into a project! It's not my machine or my money that's being spent although I would tend to favour the all-new setup. Only one upper limit and one lower limit switch input so all axes share these, which is why I'm not sure about home switches - there might be some other inputs for these but still decoding Chinglish for those. Can't see from first look at manual if you can use limit switches as home switches but I can ask them. To date, SZGH have been very quick with supplying manuals and quotation.

Needs adaptor plate or similar to fit machine but all new technology, low technical risk, and if it all comes from SZGH, it's more-or-less pre-configured from the factory complete with cables.

Need to update controller anyway but servo options are new dc drives (CNCdrive?) assuming that there are encoders fitted, costing around £300, or new ac servos plus drivers for around £750. I've seen an article about updating a similar system which used an encoder but I've no idea how standardised these systems are. Label has spec for tacho output but don't know if there is a resolver or encoder. Servo motors are badged Anilam (well, one of them has a barely-legible label). No big issue either way - it's only another cable. Still thinking about whether it's worth using electronic speed control as there's no tool changer so setting speed manually at the same time as manual tool change isn't a big deal.

Spindle motor is driven by Mitsubishi VFD but not using variable speed as there is a continuously-variable pulley drive (plus back gear) on the mill.

Anilam series 1100 user manual