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Messages - Davek0974

1731
General Mach Discussion / Re: Bridgeport Knee Mill Conversion?
« on: May 14, 2016, 12:54:49 PM »
Yes, i'm pretty much sold on the CSMIO/A direction now ;)

Pricing it all up.

Looking like..

Converting my machine,
750w servo motors,
CSMIO/A control
3:1 reduction on all axes.

With the 5mm pitch screws I think that gives me 5000mm/min rapids and 0.0006mm resolution - silly on an old Bridgeport ;)

1732
General Mach Discussion / Re: Odd behaviour?
« on: May 14, 2016, 12:50:58 PM »
I'm sure there is a way forwards here, will look further, odd that the plasma has never done it though.

1733
General Mach Discussion / Re: Bridgeport Knee Mill Conversion?
« on: May 14, 2016, 12:15:30 PM »
Getting ahead of myself now, does it come with a built-in ATC ;)

Seriously though, this is looking more and more like a project now :)

Even adding the high-speed spindle as a second Z axis OR as I have seen done, adding it as a clamp-on fixture to the main Z axis. This has big benefits for me as it means I only need one machine for all tasks from heavy milling to fine engraving.

1734
General Mach Discussion / Re: Odd behaviour?
« on: May 14, 2016, 12:09:36 PM »
Ah, but, yes, but no, but, I could maybe get a run signal from the VFD back into Mach?

Then it would halt if no run feedback was seen before issuing the first Gxx code??

I'm using the VFD relay configured as "VFD Output On" to control the cooling pump, it would only take a relay in parallel to do this, I think there is a soft output as well on the VFD.

Maybe worthwhile?

1735
General Mach Discussion / Re: Odd behaviour?
« on: May 14, 2016, 11:52:47 AM »
No. ;)

1736
General Mach Discussion / Re: Bridgeport Knee Mill Conversion?
« on: May 14, 2016, 11:51:40 AM »
Ooh, goodies, goodies, goodies ;)

Looks like either option is around £100 so not a killer.

Issues I see would be getting the encoder mounted to the Bridgeport spindle for the threading unit - there is no clear access to the spindle really, the top is clear for the drawbar wrench and there is little below really, the motor spineless no good as its belt drive and vari-speed. Will need more research here I think, but these look like easy add-ons later.

1737
General Mach Discussion / Re: Bridgeport Knee Mill Conversion?
« on: May 14, 2016, 11:28:13 AM »
Story so far based on data collected...

Servo's seem to have won, 750W is recommended size. Ball-screws have 5.08mm pitch so with motors flat out, I think i will go for 3:1 reduction to give me loads of torque, good resolution and 5000mm/min rapids - this still sounds high for an old machine though. The 750W option was recommended buy a 30+ conversion guy so seems sound.

Resolution would be around 0.0006mm/step? Based on 2500 line encoders and 3:1 reduction and 5.08mm screws.

Control options is the nest step, Ethernet smooth-stepper and use step/dir signals OR CSMIO/A and use 10-0-10v analogue - this also offers me actual DRO read-outs for manual knob twiddling. Cost is the factor - £150 vs £480. Both will work with Mach3??

I would prefer the CSMIO option I think as I really want the loop to go right back to the Mach DRO so I get full position read-out in real-time. I can the recoup some of the cost by stripping and selling the new DRO i fitted to the mill a year ago, plus the working but redundant power-feeds and all other bits removed.

Have I missed anything out??

1738
General Mach Discussion / Re: Odd behaviour?
« on: May 14, 2016, 08:49:49 AM »
Happened again today - started the run without starting the spindle, not so lucky this time and the tool took one for the team :(

I had a look in the M03 macro and there were no characters after the do-spin bit but there was also no carriage return and I seem to remember reading that the macros like to have a return on the last line?

I put one in and after a reboot it run the job fine, will keep an eye on this one.

1739
General Mach Discussion / Re: Multimeter info
« on: May 14, 2016, 06:15:48 AM »
Anything by Fluke will last you a very long time - nice kit.

1740
General Mach Discussion / Re: Bridgeport Knee Mill Conversion?
« on: May 13, 2016, 04:41:53 PM »
Thanks, even that sounds a bit tight, will have a measure tomorrow but its looking like I'll be converting the manual machine I think.