Messages

7311

General Mach Discussion / Re: EMCO PC Mill and Turn 55 - Conversion

« on: February 09, 2011, 02:27:30 AM »

The price of the 3 phase stepper drivers you have found is extremely reasonable and you would need one for each 3 phase stepper motor plus one breakout board to connect them to the computer LPT port. (the breakout board shown in the eBay photo looks like it is directly mains powered so I would avoid this particular one). The existing Power Supply Unit would almost certainly be OK. The existing spindle speed controller would need investigation as to its drive requirements and another small circuit board may be necessary to switch a relay or convert the Mach PWM signal to the appropriate drive voltage.

This would not be a project for the faint hearted as some electrical knowledge is required to hook everything up and test everything but it can be done and looking at the research you have already done you are meticulous enough to succeed.

Tweakie.

7312

General Mach Discussion / Re: EMCO PC Mill and Turn 55 - Conversion

« on: February 08, 2011, 11:05:18 AM »

Probably best to actually count the wires coming out of the stepper motor.

Tweakie.

7313

FAQs / Re: Cutting Acryclic

« on: February 08, 2011, 07:14:08 AM »

Just one more point to note is that you actually have acrylic and not polycarbonate. 

Tweakie.

7314

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Our 2440 x 1220mm CnC Router Builds

« on: February 08, 2011, 06:45:11 AM »

That's novel Tony - Space Invaders on a touch screen. 

Seriously though, very nice work.

Tweakie.

7315

General Mach Discussion / Re: EMCO PC Mill and Turn 55 - Conversion

« on: February 08, 2011, 02:45:11 AM »

It is probably a matter of opinion here but my approach, providing the machine is already driven using bipolar stepper motors, would be to replace the existing controller with a cheap, Chinese, multi axis board similar to one I used here for an old Boxford mill http://www.cooperman.talktalk.net/files/14.htm (In your case there would be no need to remove the machine from it's cabinet etc). Many parts such as the PSU, spindle speed controller etc will be reusable.
This then makes the machine 100% compatible with Mach3 operation. There is quite a lot of work involved but it is not an expensive option but check that the stepper motors can be operated in bipolar mode (that they have 4, 6 or 8 wires). If the motors are 5 wire unipolar steppers or servo/encoder types then there would be much more expense involved and it may not be an economic project to complete on a budget.

Tweakie.

7316

Tangent Corner / Gear-Ring

« on: February 06, 2011, 06:06:42 AM »

Would make an interesting project perhaps.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=939qJdnGLM8&feature=player_embedded

I bet Chris could make one. 

Tweakie.

7317

Tangent Corner / Re: Kinda cute.

« on: February 06, 2011, 04:35:20 AM »

6. The oil, water temperature,  and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single
'This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation' warning  light. 

That's just about right. 

Tweakie.

7318

Tangent Corner / Re: Would you stop drinking

« on: February 06, 2011, 04:33:11 AM »

I see what you mean Jeff.

Is it possible to operate a CNC without Beer ?

Tweakie.

7319

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: emcotronic T1 control

« on: February 06, 2011, 02:26:35 AM »

Lez,

May be an idea to also post your question on the Practical Machinist / Digital Machinist forum where there may be more Emco6 users.

Just a thought.

Tweakie.

7320

General Mach Discussion / Re: NEMA 23 and 34 motor mount G-code

« on: February 06, 2011, 02:19:21 AM »

This sounds like it could be an ideal job for the wizards already built into Mach.
It does not have to be all done as one file as long as the origin is the same you could use two or three programs with tool change in between as necessary.

Tweakie.