Retrofit CNC Mill

[turboax]

I live in central Michigan and I am retrofitting a CNC  knee mill with Mach 3.  I am looking for somebody that could walk me through Mach 3 and hook up.  I am willing to pay for help within reason   Tony

[olf20]

Hi Tony, I have converted a Atlas 10 x 54 knee mill. I done all the work myself (with a lot of help from the forum).
I will give you what I know, and I'm sure we can get you going.
Let me know what I can do!!
olf20

[turboax]

Thanks for the reply
About parallel port has inputs  output and common how many do I need to drive one axis ?

[olf20]

Hi turboax, attached is a drawing that shows a typical layout. Now typical does not mean anything except some place
to start.

To drive one axis you need two outputs (1 step, and 1 direction). I'm assuming that you are using stepper motors.

With one break out board (BOB) you can have 5 inputs, and 12 outputs. A second parallel port can be added to most
computers to give you more inputs if needed. I have several other drawings that show differant aspects of the wiring.
Such things a limit switches, E stop, and so on.
Let me know what you need next, I'll be happy to help!!
olf20 / Bob

[turboax]

 I am using DC servo motors how much of a difference is that?

[olf20]

Not much difference from a wiring point of view. I used steppers for costs reasons.
Here is another layout of a Servo System.

[turboax]

how are  encoders  wired.  into  the PC or the servo's drives?

[olf20]

What motors are you using or plan on using??
olf20

[turboax]

It has DC Servo motors on it already.  Here's the thing.  The Servo drives are analog.  I am thinking that the best thing to do is switch drives and encoders.  I was looking over the drives on the machine and they are labeled 80 V and 15 amp.  Now I am looking at gecko drives 320 or 340 trying to decide on which one."   encoders are harder to shop for looking for recommendations.

[olf20]

Did you see this thread  http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,6853.0.html.
I'm not up on servo drives but Hood and others have lots of knowledge.
olf20