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Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Overloaded on September 15, 2008, 08:41:17 PM

Title: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 15, 2008, 08:41:17 PM
Hey folks, :)
Trying to find good descriptions of the mechanics involved in affixing a servo motor and ball screw to the quill of an older BPort step pulley head.
Such as brackets, mounting plates and attachments to the quill itself.
Seen many photos from a distance or covered up, nothing in detail.
I'd rather not power the knee and am not too fond of powering the rack and pinion either.(as I have seen on some)
Thanks for anything helpful,
RC
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: panaceabeachbum on September 15, 2008, 08:55:04 PM
What I did on mine was to mount a 5/8 ball screw right in front of the quill. For the ballnut I made up a block that is tapped for the ball nut on the top and has a bolt thru the center.  Same method used in the conversion Centroid sells.

The block attaches to the front of the quill in place of the ring that fits over the threaded rod for the quill stop.  I made up a bottom plate to hold the bearing for the bottom that is held in place by a bolt that runs thru the hole the threaded rod went thru .  The top plate contains the bearing for the top end of the ball screw, there isnt really any thing to attach it to so I came off the left side of the head with a simple plate  that supports the top plate.
I then have two sides that along with the top plate make up a box.
Maybe a pic will describe it alot better than words, Ill snap a few pics and post in the morning
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: edvaness on September 15, 2008, 09:28:09 PM
RC,
You lookin for something like this? Its a centroid kit, but can be duplicated.  ;D
Need any parts made, let me know.

Ed
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 15, 2008, 09:41:53 PM
That is a dandy description RT. Along with the pics, should be plenty to get me started.
Thanks MUCH

YES Ed ! That's just what I need. I have never been able to see the GUTS of it though.
I had a pic saved that Hood posted way back when but lost in in the crash and can't find it now.

Thanks again,
RC
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 15, 2008, 09:46:06 PM
Another thing, is there a way to disengage the drive ?
Otherwise, why is the handle still on there in Ed's pic. ?
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: HimyKabibble on September 15, 2008, 10:08:24 PM
This should get you started:  http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18178
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: edvaness on September 15, 2008, 11:38:54 PM
RC,
Just finished going through all 15 pages in the forum Ray L isted, and find he used the knee for the Z. >:(
also see a guy name of Hood on that forum.  :D  He just has to have a clone.  Just like S--T. he's everywhere. :D

Attached pic of my Excello mill. The z servo drives a shaft with a miter gear to the ball screw.
The ball screw replaces the quill stop screw.

Brett use to have a link on his web page to Hoods machine pics, but not anymore.

As far as the pic with the  quill handle.  Got a torch?

Ed


Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 15, 2008, 11:49:46 PM
Thanks Himy,
Up to page 5.....good stuff.
RC
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: HimyKabibble on September 15, 2008, 11:58:15 PM
RC,
Just finished going through all 15 pages in the forum Ray L isted, and find he used the knee for the Z. >:(
also see a guy name of Hood on that forum. :D He just has to have a clone. Just like S--T. he's everywhere. :D

Attached pic of my Excello mill. The z servo drives a shaft with a miter gear to the ball screw.
The ball screw replaces the quill stop screw.

Brett use to have a link on his web page to Hoods machine pics, but not anymore.

As far as the pic with the quill handle. Got a torch?

Ed




Except that message #11 gives pictures of pretty much all the parts required to do a quill conversion in a nice, clean way.  I believe there's a whole thread somewhere there dedicated to that machine.

Regards,
Ray L.
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: edvaness on September 16, 2008, 12:14:29 AM
Ray,
I had to go back to message # 11. Heres what I found.
Thanks, I'm sure a big Thanks from RC
Ed
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 16, 2008, 12:56:57 AM
Thanks Guys, I did see those @11. The 2 quill blocks, are they just variations of the same thing ? Like for 2 different machines ?

 Here's another : http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8749

Ed, any backlash in your beveled gear drive ?

Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: edvaness on September 16, 2008, 01:55:56 AM
RC,
   I believe the quill blocks are 2 different pictures of the same 2 parts.
Should only need 2.

 Surprisingly the bevel gears have no backlash, contributing to a little noise, which you can't hear with the spindle running.
 They are well lubed. BTW, checked out the other site you posted.  A little overkill. Reminds me of the z screw on Hoods mill. :D
Should have enough power to broach keyways. ;)
This should give you something to sleep on.

  Ed
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 16, 2008, 02:00:02 AM
Sure Ed,
Looks to me like the blocks in #11 are 2 designs, each of which would work. I like the solid one better than the one with the collar/spacer.
See ya tomorrow bud.  ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...............................
thanks
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Hood on September 16, 2008, 02:17:19 AM
My ISP changed all of the sites I had and I forgot to update to the new server so all my pics have gone now :(
Heres one pic I found of the complete assembly I made, should have more, the important thing is there is a slot in the back that lines up with the step at the front of the head. This is the first part of the Bridgeport head that is machined and everything else is referenced from this point when they machine the quill etc so it is the logical datum to have your quill assembly fitted to.
Hood

Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 16, 2008, 07:13:56 AM
Hood,
I can see two counterbored slotted bolt holes at each end of the long slot. Looks like you may have drilled and tapped the head at the datum pads for mounting.? If so, is this all that holds the assy on the head ?
I like it....much slimmer design than JD's.
Thanks,
RC
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Hood on September 16, 2008, 07:49:15 AM
The lower plate bolts to the hole that the old depth screw was in and yes you are correct, I drilled and tapped for 2x 6mm cap screws to hold that part on after the lower bolt was tightened. I probably have more pics of it at home, will look see if I remember ::) if I dont post bump the thread.
Hood
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 16, 2008, 07:56:32 AM
Oh..I see now. The motor is UP on yours. JD had the pulley on the bottom of his.
Thanks HOOD,
RC
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Hood on September 16, 2008, 07:59:13 AM
Yep, its just a small motor, think 260ozin with 3:1 gearing.
Hood
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: panaceabeachbum on September 16, 2008, 09:27:00 AM
Here are the pics of my setup, not as stealthy as some of the others but works very well .

(http://www.thompsonmachine.net/img/mill/z1.jpg)

(http://www.thompsonmachine.net/img/mill/z2.jpg)

(http://www.thompsonmachine.net/img/mill/z3.jpg)

(http://www.thompsonmachine.net/img/mill/z4.jpg)

(http://www.thompsonmachine.net/img/mill/z5.jpg)

Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 16, 2008, 10:56:01 AM
Actually.....it's quite sexy.
Thanks a bunch RT,
RC
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Hood on September 16, 2008, 01:25:09 PM
Looks very nice indeed :)
Curious what the second pulley is for?
Hood
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: budman68 on September 16, 2008, 01:37:56 PM

Looks excellent!


Quote
Curious what the second pulley is for?

The addition of a Coffee grinder?  :D


Dave
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 16, 2008, 02:14:02 PM
(pump drive to the keg)
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: panaceabeachbum on September 16, 2008, 02:29:00 PM
good guesses , I was walking buy the machine with it in my hand one day and dropped it on there , been about 4 years now . If I take it off Ill need it the next day for something and wont be able to find it
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Sam on September 16, 2008, 03:54:48 PM
That looks allot better than the Anilam for sure, beachbum. I do however like the way the motor is positioned on the Anilam better. It's a bit more compact.
Quote
Another thing, is there a way to disengage the drive ?
Otherwise, why is the handle still on there in Ed's pic. ?
Yes, there is a switch to disengage the drive for manual operation. The handle on ours slides right off.
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 16, 2008, 04:07:51 PM
Great detail Sam...thanks !
Looks like the only way to use it manually with the handle would be to remove the 2 SHCS's and run the ball nut all the way down.
I guess you mean you can switch the axis drive off electrically, what is the procedure to operate the quill manually ?
Also notice another good use for Great Stuff foam in a can.
Neato,
RC
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Hood on September 16, 2008, 08:16:36 PM
RC
found another pic, should have more oh and BTW the reason I fixed it this way and made it so narrow was it left access to the bolts for tramming the head without removing anything :)

Hood
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Hood on September 16, 2008, 08:32:09 PM
RC heres a model view showing the back.
Hood
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: panaceabeachbum on September 16, 2008, 08:36:54 PM
That looks nice Hood, I wish I had made mine a little narrower, I had visions of optical limits dancing in my head when I  made mine . Mine stands off the front of the machine far enough its easy to get a wrench on all the bolts with no problem
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 16, 2008, 08:42:20 PM
Damn you're good.....reading my mind now. ::) That was my next Q. I noticed some that actually use lengthened coupling type nuts, and bolt the plate to them.
I prefer the access like you have.

I better ask this now....BEFORE you answer. :D
The old J head I have has a little fat motor...1hp I think. Funny looking housing, never looked real close but is it pretty simple to change it to an inverter duty 56-C type motor ? And if using a VFD, do you typically leave the belt on one of the mid pulleys then just use the back gear if needed ?

Hah...beat ya to it. ;D
RC
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 16, 2008, 08:45:19 PM
Ok Hood...all I need now is the DIMENSIONS !
Thats probably where you make your $
RC
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Hood on September 16, 2008, 08:52:22 PM
Yep, thats what I did but still found that occasionally I need to change belts. Heres a pic of the motor I fitted, just stripped down the pancake motor and used its base plate to mount the new one with because I know that is your next question ;D
Hood
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: budman68 on September 16, 2008, 08:53:11 PM
Hood, that assemly is only held on by 2 screws mounted into the 2 little stepped "bosses" at the top and bottom of the depth stop? And this drives the quill (Z axis) with no strength issues? I would have never guessed that would have been enough.

I have a Bridgeport at the shop and I'd love to retrofit it someday but I'd have to do a LOT research before even thinking of CNC'ing (destroying) that machine. :D

Dave
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Hood on September 16, 2008, 08:54:07 PM
I may have the models or even DXF, will look tomorrow evening as its getting late here, 2am :(

Hood
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 16, 2008, 08:57:19 PM
Well there ya go ::)..see what I mean ? :D
I can get rid of this keyboard now...I'll just check in every day and see what answers you have for me. ;)
Thanks,
RC
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 16, 2008, 08:59:02 PM
Dave, there is 1 honkin ass bolt vertically throughthe lower lip
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Hood on September 16, 2008, 09:00:32 PM
Dave it is also held on with a blt through the lower bracket.
Hood
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: budman68 on September 16, 2008, 09:02:40 PM
Ah, I see it now, thank you.  :)
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Sam on September 16, 2008, 09:03:02 PM

Quote
what is the procedure to operate the quill manually ?
The procedure involves flipping a toggle switch. No need in removing the bolts. Obviously, its a bit more stiff because your having to turn the screw and the motor too, but it is definitely doable. I would hate to think that I had to tear into the thing every time I tripped the limit switch and disassemble the mechanism to move off the switch. If I had a nickle for every time I tripped the limit, well.......I'd have enough for about 2 gallons of gasoline. 1 gallon if there's a mild hurricane in the gulf (Grrrrrrrrrr!!!!!! try to stay on topic, Sam!) Personally, I hate the system and always thought "there's gotta be a better way". The single bolt that goes through the spindle is the bread and butter of the whole deal. It was never designed to take cutting forces and drive the spindle. Ours gets loose from time to time, so I keep an eye on it.  Having to maneuver an allen wrench sideways between the ball screw and the enclosure and apply any effective tightening pressures without snapping the ball on the wrench definitely contributed to the "better way" theory. On Hoods system, it looks easy enough to slap a boxed-end wrench on it and really get mean with it. All of our work is 2.5 axis stuff. I would not want this system if I were doing 3 axis jobs. I just don't think the single 1/4-28 "bread and butter" bolt would survive through the long haul of repetitive up/down motion. Maybe Hood, Beachbum, or somebody else can give there $.02 cents on that. Now if your not skeered to tear into the spindle and punch a couple larger holes through it, it would definitely beef things up a bit.
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 16, 2008, 09:12:30 PM
I assumed you probably had to turn the pulley, belt or screw by hand.
Just wasn't sure why that other pic even had the handle on there.
It would be totally useless.....unless you needed a knock on the head from watching it too closely in auto cycle.
RC
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Hood on September 16, 2008, 09:13:59 PM
Seemed to stand up well enough, the bolt went through the bracket that clamped to the ball nut, I had a recess in this and I made a brass insert to go between this and the quill, the insert fitted into the recess in the quill. Once it was all cranked up it was very solid and never slackened off in the two years I used it.

Hood
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 16, 2008, 09:18:24 PM
I thought it looked a bit bigger than 1/4-28. That does seem kind of light.
RC
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: panaceabeachbum on September 16, 2008, 09:24:01 PM
Mine has a 3hp 3phase motor , I am using a teco 100 vfd and leave the belt on the pulley one down from the top . Allows the spindle to run between 800 and  3000 rpm , it also has a slow speed set of windings that run the motor at half those speeds, can also  switch into back gear for slower speeds which I have only done maybe twice .

also has a pretty big flange on the motor, aprox 10" in diam ,  I have seen a website where the fellow makes an adaptor plate and fits a 90vdc spindle motor
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: edvaness on September 16, 2008, 10:17:51 PM
RC,
  Looks like your good to go now. I just knew Hood would come through.

Hood, what's  the power draw bar setup you have on that machine? Looks good.
 
 Ed
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Hood on September 17, 2008, 03:11:51 AM
Ed that mill is long gone to the scrap man ;D The power drawbar was nice, its an Aussie Power Drawbar.
Hood
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 17, 2008, 08:08:20 AM
What does mean this "Aussie Power" ?
Runs on  kangaroo  s**t ?
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Hood on September 17, 2008, 09:08:11 AM
Nope, I got mine from the USA so it runs on hot air ;D
But it did spring up and down like a kangaroo :)

Hood
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 17, 2008, 09:12:11 AM
 :) :D ;D
With the proper "plumbing" I suppose it could be run with METHANE as well.   :o
RC ::)
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Hood on September 17, 2008, 09:24:06 AM
just make sure there are no leaks (http://forums.pcper.com/images/smilies/extras/help.gif)

Hood
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: bowber on September 17, 2008, 11:38:49 AM
Just the post I needed :)
I was working on the quill last night and was thinking it needed a better way of operation the quill feed.
My mill is similar in style but smaller, it's a Denford Easimill, I think they were a converted medium sized mill.
Denford fitted a very basic feed setup that is a thick plate clamped to the bottom of the quill with a leg sticking off to the side that the ball screw fixes into, the ball nut is in a bearing and is turned by a reduction drive from the stepper.
Problem is that this lump goes up and down with the quill so it often gets in the way on jobs, also I think it's putting extra stress into the ball screw assembly.

I was working on the quill as I have found the Z was not very accurate, it would climb while cutting. After a bit of investigation I found the inner spindle was floating by about 2mm! Yes that was 2mm not 0.2mm.
When I looked into it I found that the bottom screwed ring that is meant to lock the bottom bearing had come undone, I've no idea how this is normally locked but there is a threaded hole next to it that may have had a grub screw for locking it, so I've used this for now. Not very happy with this arrangement as you are relying on a grub screw tightening on to the delicate thread tops.

So I think I'll have a look tonight at altering the feed method and if possible alter it to something like Hoods.

Steve
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 17, 2008, 12:49:14 PM
Steve,
If there is room enough, put a small slug of Delrin or other hard plastic under the screw. It will lock the threads without damaging them.
RC
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: panaceabeachbum on September 17, 2008, 12:57:21 PM

Quote
All of our work is 2.5 axis stuff. I would not want this system if I were doing 3 axis jobs. I just don't think the single 1/4-28 "bread and butter" bolt would survive through the long haul of repetitive up/down motion.


The bolt in mine that holds the ball nut mount in place on the quill is 3/8x24 tpi cap head allen screw , Mine has run aprox 30 hours a week for over 4 years with no problem
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Overloaded on September 17, 2008, 01:11:44 PM
RT,
Was it originally 3/8....or did you open it up ?
Thanks,
RC
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Hood on September 17, 2008, 01:38:01 PM
Think the Bridgeports are 3/8, will see if its in the manual but its definitely bigger than 1/4.
Hood
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Hood on September 17, 2008, 01:40:40 PM
yep just looked its 3/8 UNF 5/8 long on the original.
Hood
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Sam on September 17, 2008, 02:38:23 PM
3/8 would definitely be better than 1/4. We were gonna tap ours out bigger the next time we changed out the spindle bearings. We have never had any major issues with it, but it has loosened itself on occasion. I would recommend people at least being conscious of it. It's good that others haven't had the same problem.
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: panaceabeachbum on September 17, 2008, 06:44:06 PM
Yes mine was originaly 3/8x24 (NF) also
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Chaoticone on September 17, 2008, 07:20:16 PM
Well Sam, I have had mine back out as well. Think maybe its because the spindle originally would run 5800 in higest gear. You know how it is, once I got the VFD wired, well hey!  ;D

Brett
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: bowber on September 18, 2008, 05:00:21 AM
Good point RC, I always try to think of the most complicated way to do something ;)
Having taken the cover off the head again I noticed the lug for the depth stop has been machined off so I'll have to make a jig and drill and tap the head in a few places, luckly it's quite easy to remove the quill because the rack and pinion feed is not there and it's all machined on the front.

Steve
Title: Re: Bridgeport Quill Feed Mechanism
Post by: Katoh on September 03, 2015, 07:28:33 PM
G'Day Friends
Sorry to bring up such an old thread, but I’m just up to the point of making something for the quill now.
I like what hood has done on the 3rd page looks very neat and tidy. I was wondering if anyone had detailed drawings of theirs that they wouldn't mind sharing?

Thanks
Katoh