Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: BP Boss 5 Retrofit Advice Needed

« on: January 14, 2014, 10:00:44 AM »

So if I wanted to run the Gecko 203v's and add a fourth axis later (and maybe a 5th) would a Keling 7212 or 7220 power supply be ok? I have also seen the 5413 used but don't I want as close to the 80v max of the Geckos?

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General Mach Discussion / Re: BP Boss 5 Retrofit Advice Needed

« on: January 09, 2014, 12:01:06 AM »

I guess the board wouldn't work for me anyway since one of the boards is bad. That leaves me to get another BOB and drivers.

If I didn't get gecko 203s what would you guys recommend? Are there better drivers out there for around the same price point?

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: BP Boss 5 Retrofit Advice Needed

« on: January 06, 2014, 01:44:27 PM »

That's a good point about the drives. I knew that but i wrote it kind of a hurry and Ive been concentrating my research on steppers lately. Thanks for the correction.

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General Mach Discussion / BP Boss 5 Retrofit Advice Needed

« on: January 06, 2014, 10:47:03 AM »

I am in the process of purchasing a Boss 5 mill. The iron is in fantastic shape and was used very little. If it wasn't for the like new condition I might not even be considering this purchase. It's tooled up nice with the Kwikset 200 tool holders and a Kurt Vise and BP vise to get me going.

I have done my reading prior to posting this but this is my first CNC and I want to do it right and am looking for your help. Will be converting over for Mach 3 or LinuxCNC use. Initially I want to be able to utilize the original BP steppers to get me going but I want to be able to upgrade to servos later once this thing makes me money. I would like to only purchase drives that allow both, using the originals and servo upgrade later.

Things I need and what I'm currently thinking:
PSU - Keiling KL-7220 (saw it referenced on another post)
Drives - Gecko G203v (seems popular)
BOB - PMDX-134 (or similar)
VFD - Hitachi (I have 2 other Hitachis I am happy with. It does come with a really nice 3HP AC Tech that was used very little but it's setup for 3 phase and I don't have that in my shop so that will get sold to fund the new one.)
CPU - AMD Phenom Quad core running over 3Ghz, 4GB RAM, Video, etc (would a smooth stepper be any benefit with a computer like this?)

I have also seen referenced the Hillbilli BOB. Any reason why that's better for this than other BOBs? I also see guys have taken parts for the BP power supplies and made there own. I'm ok with doing this but I can't seem to find any info as all the old links are broken.

Looking for any suggestions on what to do with the intent of keeping cost down initially with the option to upgrade in the future. I know the resolutiojn of these drives is only .001 currently but would like that to be better in the future as well. For now with what I have planned to do it will be fine. This will be used for making parts for resale in a home shop setting. Thanks in advance for your help.

5

Modbus / Re: Good VFD for Mach 3

« on: August 11, 2012, 11:43:39 AM »

I can wire either way 220 or 110 to get power over there (even thgouh 110 is close by). Down the road would it be more beneficial to have 220 available for other CNC stuff (tranformers, etc)?

6

Modbus / Good VFD for Mach 3

« on: August 11, 2012, 09:56:43 AM »

Looking for an easily compatible VFD to work with M3 for spindle control. I'm going to be purchasing a 110 to 230 soon and don't want to run into any problems in the future. I saw the Huanyaung VFD's have a plug-in but I'm willing to spend a little extra if there are better VFD's out there.