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Tales of Machinery Repair: The Story of a Vanguard Boring Mill. How much to Reprogram a PLC???
BORING MILLS
Tags: boring mill for sale, plc problem, plc reprogram, problems to look for, vanguard boring millBrands: Vanguard
In the world of used machinery, every purchase comes with its own unique set of challenges and lessons. At Sterling Machinery, we’ve seen it all—from machines that fire up without a hitch to those that quickly become a 30,000-pound paperweight. Today, we’re sharing a story about one such experience with a Vanguard 5-inch heavy-duty table-top boring mill.
When we purchased the Vanguard from a previous owner, they assured us it worked “great!” Of course, this is something we hear quite often, and while many times it’s true, there’s usually a reason why someone is selling a piece of equipment. After a few months of sitting idle in our warehouse, we decided it was time to power it up and put it to use. That’s when things got interesting.
Upon powering it up, we quickly discovered that this machine was equipped with a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). For those unfamiliar, PLCs are modern computer systems that have largely replaced older mechanical relays and switches in industrial equipment. The catch? PLCs are complex. They control every aspect of the machine, from turning it on to controlling table rotations and speeds, all through thousands of lines of programmed code. And here’s the kicker—if those programs are lost or corrupted, you’re in for a world of trouble.
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As luck would have it, the PLC in our Vanguard had lost its parameters, rendering the machine virtually useless. Without those specific programs in place, our heavy-duty boring mill was nothing more than a very expensive hunk of metal. We reached out to Harris Machine Tools, the distributor in the United States, and after weeks of back-and-forth, we received a quote: $4,750 to reprogram the PLC, plus shipping costs.
In the days before PLCs, repairing a machine like this was as simple as replacing a fuse, a relay, or a switch. But in today’s world, the complexity of modern controls means that even the most minor issues can require specialized attention, making quick fixes a thing of the past.
This isn’t the first time we’ve had to face down the challenges of a PLC, and it likely won’t be the last. We’ve met many a PLC in otherwise fantastic machines, only to abandon them due to the high cost or complexity of repairs.
Still, there’s no denying that used machinery can be an excellent way to save on costs. Many machines can be bought for less than half of their original price. However, there’s a lesson to be learned here: always verify the functionality of the machine before making a purchase. While the savings can be substantial, the hidden costs can be just as large if something goes wrong.
At Sterling Machinery, we’re passionate about making sure our customers are informed and ready for anything, and we’ll continue sharing these tales from the field to help others navigate the world of used machinery.
Let us take care of the headaches before you get the machine to your floor. New or used we will make sure the machine is running properly. We guarantee it!
Visit https://www.sterlingmachinery.com
