Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: jamesgates1000 on March 11, 2014, 01:22:54 PM

Title: Boxford vmc260 to mach3 conversion
Post by: jamesgates1000 on March 11, 2014, 01:22:54 PM
Hi there...
I bought a Boxford vmc260 last year, used it with the Boxford software but found it very slow and limited so I'm going to upgrade to mach3 control.
My machine has Parker stepper drivers and a get Gemini speed controller, does anyone have any information on converting this machine using these original parts and preferably a smoothstepper board?
Title: Re: Boxford vmc260 to mach3 conversion
Post by: Fastest1 on March 11, 2014, 01:32:32 PM
I responded on the zone. Post pics of the mechanicals and the electronics. Surely we can figure it out pretty quick.
Title: Re: Boxford vmc260 to mach3 conversion
Post by: jamesgates1000 on March 11, 2014, 02:29:16 PM
http://gatesmakingthings.wordpress.com/2014/03/11/vmc260-electronics/ (http://gatesmakingthings.wordpress.com/2014/03/11/vmc260-electronics/)
Title: Re: Boxford vmc260 to mach3 conversion
Post by: Fastest1 on March 11, 2014, 02:58:50 PM
   Though I am going to check it out on your link. Try using tapatalk and post the pictures direct on each forum. Too many times I have seen the host site change or whatever and the pics disappear for future users. Plus people are more prone to help if they see the items right in front of them. For some strange reason I was under the impression you were using your phone to post.
Title: Re: Boxford vmc260 to mach3 conversion
Post by: Fastest1 on March 11, 2014, 03:06:34 PM
There is a link to someone using the same driver here.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/general-cnc-machine-related-electronics/8999-digiplan-sd3-drives.html

Have you thought about what BOB and such you plan to use (smooth stepper)? You could reuse all of your power supplies most likely. The Gemini speed control board probably has its own 0-10v supply which can route thru your BOB depending on the model you choose, if not you can add a board that will output the signal required CNC4PC offers a few different types as do others.
Title: Re: Re: Boxford vmc260 to mach3 conversion
Post by: jamesgates1000 on March 11, 2014, 05:43:49 PM
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/12/uru4edum.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/12/a7u7amud.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/12/zahu5e3u.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/12/a2a5y5ag.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/12/mesarupu.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/12/ypa2e7uq.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/12/anepepes.jpg)(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/12/ra6ypuma.jpg)

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
Title: Boxford vmc260 to mach3 conversion
Post by: Fastest1 on March 11, 2014, 09:41:42 PM
How does the computer tie into that machine? Parallel port?
Title:
Post by: jamesgates1000 on March 12, 2014, 03:06:19 AM
At the moment it is through a serial port,  I was thinking of using a smoothstepper,  maybe with a Campbell or cnc4pc bob. Guessing most of the original electronics are unnecessary.

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Title: Re: Boxford vmc260 to mach3 conversion
Post by: Hood on March 12, 2014, 04:06:28 AM
 I would take a look at the CSMIO/IP-M, it negates the need for additional spindle speed controllers and breakout boards etc and also has analogue inputs for feed override pots etc and the I/O is 24v which is more in line with industrial practices.

Hood
Title:
Post by: jamesgates1000 on March 12, 2014, 05:32:13 AM
Thanks for that,  hadn't heard of that one. Looks really good and the user manual is really comprehensive. Guess first step is to strip out all of the unnecessary electronics,  keeping 3x stepper drivers spindle control board and psu. Do I need the two breakers shown in the pictures above?
Also would you advise installing mechanical limit switches or just use the proximity homing switches and software limits?

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Title: Re: Boxford vmc260 to mach3 conversion
Post by: Hood on March 12, 2014, 08:00:20 AM
Contactors are good to have as they can possibly be used in your E-Stop chain, just depends how the stepper drives and spindle controller work. There will likely be info in their respective manuals for such things.

Always good to have physical limits in my opinion although some dont bother on smaller machines. You can use the same switches as homes and limits if required.

Hood
Title: Boxford vmc260 to mach3 conversion
Post by: Fastest1 on March 12, 2014, 09:36:08 AM
Don't just start ripping things out. Get the BOB of your choice and try to interface with as many original items you can. Most likely they are decent.
Title: Boxford vmc260 to mach3 conversion
Post by: Fastest1 on March 12, 2014, 09:39:35 AM
Btw, when you say serial port, you are referring to a DB9 and not a DB25 aren't you?
Title: Re: Boxford vmc260 to mach3 conversion
Post by: angel tech on March 12, 2014, 01:10:59 PM
if you look at the headers you'll see where you need to interface, x y and z step and direction are there and limits, also the 0-10 and enable for the gemini.
Title: Boxford vmc260 to mach3 conversion
Post by: jamesgates1000 on March 16, 2015, 02:34:39 PM
Been a while since I started this thread, been busy with other projects. But I am now ready to continue with the conversion. I have bought the csmio 3 axis controller and a pilz safety relay.
Wondering if anyone can help me decipher this tangle of wires!