Messages

41

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Archie's first cnc machine Bridgeport R2E4 Boss 9 to Mach 3

« on: February 18, 2013, 11:00:44 PM »

food for thought boss 5 machines are stepper machines.... and a few of those have been retrofitted with Hilbilly's break out board and wiring diagram. the later boss 9 machines like ours either work or everything but the servos and encoders  have to be replaced.  i am confused as to what you are being told.   The weak link in these machines are the electronics.    Run the machine as long as you can with the existing electronics.  When it comes time that it won't do what you want or need it to then work it from there.  Addressing the issue of step and direction being inferior I say prove it.  These are 25 or so year old machines  and they are being used in garages and home shops.   If you are making parts for money then it is on to the next level of machine with tool changers and flood coolant. at least for me anyway. 

Happy Hunting
archie =) =) =)

 

42

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Archie's first cnc machine Bridgeport R2E4 Boss 9 to Mach 3

« on: February 18, 2013, 10:19:05 PM »

I am curious now..... who are they and what card controller are you talking about.  if you are not comfortable discussing it here you could email me directly.
archie =) =) =)

43

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Archie's first cnc machine Bridgeport R2E4 Boss 9 to Mach 3

« on: February 18, 2013, 09:41:32 PM »

the way this system works is when the vipers are not able to keep the servos up with the encoders then it sends an error message back to mach that error amount is  set within the drive. all of this "error is in a  order of magnitude. also if you are not pushing the machine very hard then you will not see any errors being kicked back to mach. this issue has been beat to death. steppers do not have any feedback of any kind and work very well within their limitations. the loop on the servo machines are closed at the drive ( unless you are using something like a gallil card) when I get my mill up and running I am going to strap a small block chevy block to the table and push the rapids into fault then back it down 20 percent and lock them down there. not the most scientific way to do things but that is my story and I am sticking to it.

archie =) =) =)

44

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Archie's first cnc machine Bridgeport R2E4 Boss 9 to Mach 3

« on: February 18, 2013, 02:55:33 PM »

yes sort of,  the loop is closed at the drives. and I hope you can run your machine as is. I was only able to get mine to home a couple of times before it quit all together. as far as retrofit to mach3 I suspect that the retrofitted machine will be head and shoulders above the existing machine.  the weak point of those machines is the electronics.  the electronics have aged where the steel has not assuming the lubricators are working. in addition the retrofit allows the use of a 4th axis  which the original did not.  as well as the use of touch probes,cameras, ect.

archie =) =) =)

P.S. I sent you an email to what is listed in your profile

45

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Archie's first cnc machine Bridgeport R2E4 Boss 9 to Mach 3

« on: February 18, 2013, 02:12:36 PM »

hmmmmm I am not understanding your question. does the mill you are getting run currently or are you going to have to retrofit it so it will work.
archie =) =) =)

46

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Archie's first cnc machine Bridgeport R2E4 Boss 9 to Mach 3

« on: February 18, 2013, 11:30:13 AM »

computer, keyboard, preferably smooth  stepper if i were to do it today I would use CNC4PC c32 breakout board. and torridal transformer power supplies.

arachie =) =) =)

47

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Archie's first cnc machine Bridgeport R2E4 Boss 9 to Mach 3

« on: February 18, 2013, 09:14:47 AM »

ther is another one out there running the stock encoders and I am going to run the stock encoders. the motors are powertron and encoders are BEI.

archie =) =) =)

48

Share Your GCode / Re: New to all this!

« on: February 16, 2013, 08:27:49 AM »

have you looked at Vcarve by vetric not free but not terribly expensive either

archie =) =) =)

49

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Archie's first cnc machine Bridgeport R2E4 Boss 9 to Mach 3

« on: February 15, 2013, 07:52:07 AM »

Next step is to get  220 power to the mill.  One leg will supply power to this little transformer (control  voltage for the viper) and both legs will supply  220  power to the high voltage power supply
there will be another power supply for the breakout board and one to run the relays for the air solenoids ect. slowly working through this.

archie =) =) =)   

50

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / viper control power supply

« on: February 14, 2013, 11:04:11 PM »

I cannibalized some parts out of the old Bridgeport stuff  to supply the 12 volt control voltage to the vipers today .

archie =) =) =)