Should I back up old cnc control Eproms?

[Pmtool]

I have an old machine that has a control that the grinder company developed Swiss Axesta/ Grossenbacher cnc control components. It is a late 90's machine but the technology behind it seems like early 90's. As far as I can tell it is very simple. It is an Intel microprocessor based control and all data is stored on Eproms. The question is should I back the Eproms up like I would a hard drive? Are they likely to fail? Am I likely to screw them up trying to read them?

As far as I can see there is no way to see or get data out through the operator console on control unless there is a secret maintenance mode. I have or can get all the boards for the control but if somehow I lost the actual programming/ ladder/ parameters that drive it the machine would likely be a boat anchor.

The machine has a Siemens PLC and a uses Siemens Simodrives which are readily available, just the custom control part of the machine seems sketchy.

 

[Mud]

Probably. I have a late 80s Deckel mill with a Grundig control. It lost it's mind one day and started doing odd things like starting the spindle and reversing it at random without being commanded. The fix was to reload all the firmware. Fortunately I had someone at the time that could do it and had the files to do so. If I knew how to back them up now I'd do it.