Build Log Jan 21, 2024 · 4 min read

Kitamura Mycenter Zero — CNC Mill Retrofit

Q: What is the Kitamura Mycenter Zero?

A compact vertical machining center from Kitamura. The specific machine I have is from 1992, running a Fanuc 0M-C controller. I picked it up used for $3000 as the starting point for a retrofit project.

Q: What's the Fanuc 0M-C controller and why does it matter?

It's the CNC control on my 1992 Mycenter Zero — a reliable classic, but one that predates solid-state parameter storage. That makes the battery-backup situation the single most important thing to understand before you power the machine up for real work.

Q: What happens if the backup battery on a Fanuc 0M dies?

You lose your parameters. Without parameters, the controller doesn't know how to drive its own axes — axis scaling, limits, servo settings, everything — and the machine is effectively bricked until you reload a known-good set. That's why the first thing I did on a used Fanuc 0M was pull a parameter backup.

Q: How do you back up parameters from a Fanuc 0M?

Over DNC, through the controller's serial port. You need a cable that bridges the Fanuc's DB26 connector to a DB9 serial port on a PC. I built a custom DB26 → DB9 cable for the job and read the parameters out with a terminal program.

Q: Is a Kitamura Mycenter Zero worth $3000?

For a retrofit base — absolutely. You're buying a proper iron cast machining center with real spindle power and rigidity, and the money you save on the machine goes into modernising the control. The caveat is that any used Fanuc-0M-era machine needs a parameter backup on day one.

Big news! I have a new toy!

If you’re one of my YouTube followers, you’ve likely caught wind of my recent acquisition — a used Kitamura Mycenter Zero CNC machine, for $3000.

https://youtube.com/shorts/ZzqJh0Q2J2Q

In this YouTube short, I show the delivery of my CNC machine and a walkaround of this 1992 marvel, running on the reliable Fanuc 0M-C CNC controller.

Why the first job is backing up the parameters

There’s a catch with these vintage controllers — they lack the solid-state memory we take for granted today. When the backup battery runs dry, you risk losing all your parameters, rendering your CNC inoperable!

To safeguard against such a predicament, a common practice is to back up the parameters. I wasted no time crafting a custom DB26 to DB9 DNC cable for my Fanuc 0M and efficiently read out the parameters over DNC.

Backing up Fanuc 0M-C parameters over DNC

First-day procedure on a newly acquired Kitamura Mycenter Zero running a Fanuc 0M-C controller.

Build or source a DB26 → DB9 DNC cable
The Fanuc 0M-C uses a DB26 connector for DNC; your PC side is typically a DB9 serial port (or a USB-to-serial adapter). I made a custom DB26 → DB9 cable for this job.

Put the controller into DNC / parameter send mode
Set the Fanuc 0M-C to send parameters over the serial port. Follow the machine-specific procedure for your controller — there are good video tutorials for this.

Capture the parameters on a PC
Use a terminal program on the PC to receive the serial stream and save the parameter dump to disk. Store the file somewhere safe — this is the backup that saves you when the controller battery eventually dies.

Verify and archive
Open the saved file to confirm you actually received a complete parameter dump (not a truncated file). Archive it with the machine’s documentation.

I followed a useful video tutorial to guide me through the parameter backup process, ensuring that even if the worst happens, I can quickly recover my Kitamura Mycenter Zero’s vital settings.

For your convenience, here are the backup files containing the parameters. I hope this information proves valuable for anyone facing a similar challenge with their Kitamura Mycenter Zero CNC. Don’t let lost parameters stall your projects — stay prepared!