VS: Automation Control Panel for a Master Caster

[HATCH]

I am offering up a control panel that will assist you in automating your Magma Master Caster.

This unit has a touch screen that allows you to control every timer.

What you can control

How long before lead is poured when the mold is under the pot (this option can be turned off so it pours right away)
The amount of lead poured
How long it sits under the pot for the sprue to harden.
How long it sits at the bottom of the stroke after the boolits are dropped


Features

You can turn on "DOUBLE TAP" which increases the amount of taps at the bottom of the stroke in case your doing HP boolits or have molds that don't release easy.
Double tap is adjustable from 1 to 99 taps

You can turn on "MANUAL MODE" which allows the automation of lead pour but the manual operation of all the other features.

It has a Counter and a RUN LIMITER based on count.

Here is a video of one in operation - keep in mind that this unit has the optional PID controller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpklei7q3c8

Here is a basic overview video of all the features
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83COHoXbhsM



In addition to this panel you would need the following

2 air cylinders
Make the rear cylinder bracket
Drill 2 holes in frame of MC for above bracket.
Drill and tap the lead pour bracket at the top of the pot for the lead pour cylinder assembly.
Mount the limit switch.
Check here -> http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?348252-Modifying-the-Master-Caster-for-HATCH-automation&p=4207972
If you have questions ask them there.

Now the money side of things.

The base model is $800
Base model with PID (includes thermocouple) $900

$250 - AUTOMATION SMALL PARTS KIT - ONLY SOLD WITH PANEL - basically everything needed to complete the modification to full automation

The kit contains the following

Air valves x 3 with the pneumatic fittings ( 2 branch Ts, 1 90 and 4 straight)
5 inch Air Cylinder with the pneumatic fittings (90 and straight)
1/2 inch Air Clinder with pneumatic Fitting (90)
10 feet Tubing
Rear bracket with hardware
Lead pour plate (1/8 inch drilled)
Spacers - already cut to length x 2
3 inch Bolts - x 2
Forged Clevis for movement
Standard clevis for lead pour

The kit price is COST plus $25 to be honest.
This is me buying all the parts in BULK and then making up a "kit"
It is still way cheaper by almost $100 then buying the parts from McMaster

SHIPPING - I ship USPS priority mail . Depending on where you are it can be $ 30to $45 to ship the panel.
I do ship internationally provided you pay the cost of it.
I have shipped panels to Australia, the Philippines, France, South Africa and Belguim.
Please also understand that I offer this more as a service then as a product.
I work full time, have 2 kids and have very little time.

Please keep in mind that the touchscreen and PLC alone are over $200

Build time - look at post directly below this one

FOR THOSE WITH THE PID OPTION PLEASE LOOK HERE -> http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?348755-Hatch-s-PID-FAQ

Panels are multi-voltage. So they can run on 120 or 220.
I build them with a 120v power cord. This makes it easier for me to test them here.
For 220v operation you just cut the cord and wire it up 220v.

The fan option is no longer a standard feature on 120v models.
The cost of the relay is $20, the cost of the cord I have to cut to get the end is $9.
If you want it then it’s a $30 option.
Besides the parts it is just a software update to the touchscreen. Every PLC they I have sent out already has the feature enabled on it but without the touchscreen to virtually turn it on/off it doesn’t do anything.

This is a picture of a standard unit
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200809/421d1154775ec8e817407421037b1c54.jpg


This is the picture of the inside of a panel I can currently building. It has the PID option and is missing the SSR and the movement relay.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200809/959439a57b9be1ac7e6712657f1da090.jpg

[HATCH]

Apr 24 2021 update

Current wait time is about two weeks. (non-PID)

[chloe123]

For those who have a MasterCaster, it may seem expensive but once installed your master caster will be a bullet making machine. Honestly, if I polish my mold cavities beforehand, it runs flawlessly as they drop effortlessly. You'll appreciate the convenience. I paid a little less several years ago and it's not nearly as advanced as what he's offering now. I'm pretty sure Hatch will provide a revision to the software for you as well. All that being said, I feel fortunate to own one, just feels very customized.

[HATCH]

. I paid a little less several years ago and it's not nearly as advanced as what he's offering now. .

Thanks.

The major cost increase is the touchscreen. It adds over $200 to the price but it also adds so much more convenience compared to the original setup.

I still know of 10 original design (non-touchscreen) running. Thats been 4 or 5 years now and 100's of K of boolits cast.

I got a text on my phone last week from a friend that uses his MC to cast cores. He cast 10K cores on a saturday and he said that MC didn't miss a beat!

[Nick Quick]

Having an automation for Master Caster is like having all of a sudden Jerry Miculek skills when shooting at the range. Is true, one can live without an automation but having it changes completely everything.

[HATCH]

Bump - for reference I warranty these units against failure for 6 months and offer UNLIMITED lifetime support.

[Iron Whittler]

Hatch, got my unit in today. It was well packed against the gorilla package handlers. The outside of panel is neatly laid out. The knock your socks off wow factor comes when you open the panel and peek inside. People, this gent has his act together. Components are neatly placed and wired. Wires are labeled as to what they hook up to making hook up pretty straight forward. I will try to start the conversion after the holiday. Thanks a heap MR. Hatch. Hope you and yours have a pleasant holiday. [smilie=w::bigsmyl2:

[HATCH]

Thanks, well I built electrical panels for 15 years so I got a little experience.
I try to label the terminal block so it's easier for the end user (i.e. You) to trouble shoot.
Have you made your rear bracket yet?

[CGT80]

My unit showed up yesterday and I got to test it out. Shipping was quick and the packaging was great. They must have tossed the box around as the PLC wasn't snapped on the rail, but it clicked right in with a push. The wiring looks great and the parts were well labeled. I look forward to finishing my machine and casting some boolits with the Hatch Automation system. Oh yeah, the custom build bit with my name included on the main screen is a nice touch as well.

Thanks Hatch!

[Mr. Woodchuck]

Bump to top

The Master Caster automation set up that Hatch builds and sells is the best VALUE in automated machinery I've ever run across!
My TRUE production rate on 148 grain .357 bullets is around 600 per hour. In a six hour period I'm making about 3300 to 3700 bullets. This includes occasional stops to lube the mold top and sprue plate and the once an hour or so jam clearing. The "jams" are usually caused by bullets bouncing into the way of the mold closing. Easy and fast to clear.
I sure wish I could automate bullet sizing and ammo loading at these prices!

[HATCH]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180709/147809469e313d00cdee146f5b1013e8.jpg

[dyecocker1]

Is there a video somewhere on the interweb of this system working?
Oops. found it:-D

Could a momentary switch be added to the lead pour so it could be cycled manually as well? I use my master caster pot for casting larger items like slugs and 300 blackout on a separate base. It would be nice to be able to use a switch tied to the timer and never have to touch the pot if I had a system like this anyways. Being able to add a timed pour would be a great benefit when casting with hand molds as well

[HATCH]

The panel has a manual feature.
Manual feature allows the panel to control the amount of lead poured but you control the movement.
Basically every time the handle gets to the top it pours lead.

Sorry for the delay in responding, I am on vacation and have poor/no signal

And I have video links posted in the first post

[dyecocker1]

No problem. Without seeing a working unit I assume there is a micro-switch installed by the handle that trips when it is returned? I think I could just use the wiring on my own switch when casting by hand. Some sort of large push button would be nice when wearing thick gloves. Each time the switch is depressed the pot opens for the set amount of time:Fire:

[shootinfox2]

I still have the original(second) Hatch system. What is the cost for a touchscreen upgrade?
Up to over 50000 cast on the original.

Fox

[HATCH]

I still have the original(second) Hatch system. What is the cost for a touchscreen upgrade?
Up to over 50000 cast on the original.

Fox
I would have to do the figures.
The touchscreen itself costs $200
Depending on the enclosure used, you might need another enclosure. I repurpose used Solar panel enclosures and they cost me $40
So if all it takes is those two items then your looking at $250 in parts and prob $150 maybe in labor.
send me a PM with the pictures of the the unit and I can work up the exact cost with trying to reuse all the original parts.


EDIT -> is it this one -> http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?178004-Its-alive-Auto-Master-Caster&p=1992509&viewfull=1#post1992509

If so that is a stripped down version.
Figures above are gonna be pretty close to being correct.
You need to keep in mind. I am reusing your original PLC.
The problem is that it does not have a battery backup feature.
Automation Direct tells me that the unit will retain settings for 5 days or so.
All the settings are accessible via the touchscreen.
You do not use your computer to make any changes.
So after 5 days or whenever the memory loses its presets, you will have to punch in every setting via the touchscreen.
That is why I went with the battery model.
a new PLC is gonna be $112 plus the $5.50 battery

[HATCH]

I do ship international but please keep in mind that depending on the country the cost can be anywhere from $100 to $400 or more

[HATCH]

Got a wall mount unit almost finished
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191023/6d03eb8d741fde19ec72eb649f49380d.jpg

Smaller enclosure then I used before.
It is large enough to to mount a PID in it.



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[HATCH]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201227/ccfdc36186cfd3fedb66f19f23e66047.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201227/61219ce8f3c3d6c1487ca07218b9c60a.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201227/669f74117b4865240052806a11b6619b.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201227/70791d52601ffb42fb9fbbae9a9ecacb.jpg

Currently looking at 1 weeks out for the next order.

I built a test fixture to verify operation.
I will be doing a YouTube video shortly showing the operation.


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[HATCH]

current lead time is about 2 weeks after order is placed.

[HuskJ]

current lead time is about 2 weeks after order is placed.

I'll pm you as I want to try a wall mount one like above and have it run side by side casters..

[HATCH]

Responded back

Yes you can run two master casters with one panel but they are clones.
Meaning the amount of lead poured on one is the same on the other as well as the timing.

You series the limit switches and parallel the output for ever thing else.

So you could cast a 122 gr 9mm at the same time as a 125 gr 38sp. For example.
They have to be close in size.


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[HATCH]

Bump to the top

2 week lead time approximately


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[HATCH]

Lead time is 1 week.
Have to order just the small parts.
Panel is built - haven’t heard back from a customer that said they wanted one.


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[HATCH]

Lead time is 1 week.
Have to order just the small parts.
Panel is built - haven’t heard back from a customer that said they wanted one.


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Still the same status


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[Firefighter1466]

Still trying to find a master caster, but looking at this a lot.. how hard is this to setup? I've read through your posts but have you had anyone have issues getting it setup?

[HATCH]

The only real critical step is the make sure the holes are threaded correctly into the lead pour bracket on your machine.
I have had 1 person (out of almost 100 setups) tap the holes at a angle and it caused binding.
They had to purchase a new bracket from Magma.
I provide the tap and drill bit for this step.
The same drill bit can be used to drill the frame as well.
It took me about a hr to modify my new machine.

2 holes in frame
1 hole in mold carrier
2 holes drilled and tapped in lead bracket
1 hole in lead pour handle
Mount limit switch


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[HATCH]

To the top


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[HATCH]

Has anyone actually installed and try it for a while? It looks great but I still have my doubts!

No offense but I think your a spammer but I will answer this question.

The first panel was built in Nov 2012.
It didn’t have a touch screen but used the same plc controller and the program was very similar.
There was five or six panels built using my design and using the program I wrote in the months that followed
I know of at least 1 that is still in operation today exactly how I built it and exactly how the program was written. I am sure there are others but I know of this one. In fact it is exactly how I programmed it and it is used to cast cowboy action Bullets.

There were dozens of the V1 panel built over the next couple years. I believe in late 2014, I built the current design I am selling now.
There has been 4 or 5 software updates since. Just tweaking some things and adding a couple features.
Fast forward to today, I am guessing there has been around 130 panels built.
Shipped to Africa(3), Singapore, Belgium, Philippines, Australia(2), France, and prob 30 or so US states. I am sure I left off a country or two.
Sales as been slow lately because Magma is backlogged. I have a pile of orders on hold because my customers are awaiting their casters.

Failures - there has only been two to my knowledge.
(1) PLC would lock up requiring power cycle to reset - this machine was run 12 hrs a day 6 days a week for 18 months. Customer paid for a PLC (at cost) and was reprogrammed at no cost. Haven’t had any other issues with the PLC.

(2) SSR - this was a Defective SSR. I don’t call it a true failure as it was bad out the box. I verify they pass voltage but didn’t measure. Was only passing 80v when it should of been 120v. I personally drove the two hrs to his location to trouble shoot it. At no cost to him. The SSR was part of the PID option. Not part of the automation setup.


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[HATCH]

Bump


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