Messages

441

General Mach Discussion / Re: Scripter Compile Error bites again :(

« on: February 19, 2018, 07:43:15 AM »

Needs more than luck with Mach3 i think, the planets have to be aligned sometimes!

442

General Mach Discussion / Re: GROUNDING - what is the correct way to ground a CNC machine?

« on: February 19, 2018, 02:16:11 AM »

Just a thought, but regardless of whether it affects the machine or not, ANY fixed or portable electrical equipment with exposed metal surfaces should be securely grounded using a conductor capable of carrying at least the full current of the protective device fitted to the supply.

Now, if that affects the machine, there is more work to do because it shouldn't.

China has very lax attitudes to grounding - both my 3kw water cooled spindle motors were not grounded to the 4th connector pin, my chinese laser cutter was not grounded either.

443

General Mach Discussion / Re: Scripter Compile Error bites again :(

« on: February 19, 2018, 02:09:43 AM »

Thanks, i'll try that

Can't do any harm

444

General Mach Discussion / Re: Scripter Compile Error bites again :(

« on: February 18, 2018, 03:46:05 PM »

As far as i know, no.

I can't understand how it fixed itself either, but it's really annoying when you're already being careful because of changes made to the machine etc, have work to do, not much time and it throws this pointless random error up.

Even restarting Mach and re-homing did not fix it, just left it 45 minutes and off it goes again?

445

General Mach Discussion / Re: Scripter Compile Error bites again :(

« on: February 18, 2018, 08:56:42 AM »

I did have a look inside it as i read there can be 'odd' characters in there but it looked ok, had a coffee and sandwich, calmed down, went back out and the damn thing worked ok??

I'll try the delete and remake next time but is there a trend for this error in certain versions??

It can get expensive if you're not 100% on the stop button.

How could Mach alter the file - surely it just reads macros, not re-writes them each time??

446

General Mach Discussion / Scripter Compile Error bites again :(

« on: February 18, 2018, 06:29:44 AM »

Hi all

I'm trying to run one of my first batches of parts on my wonderful Bridgeport conversion and Mach is doing it damnedest to P me off!

Halfway through the third run of the second part, so its made about 15 toolchanges and start/stop cycles already, it decides to start the code with no spindle motor, luckily i was close enough to an E-Stop to save my work and tool.

Going to MDI - S1000 M3  all you get is the "Scripter Compile Error in M3.m1s" - not had this for a while but have suffered tool breakage plenty of times before - there is NO trigger for it, just random.

I restarted Mach and it still will not run so i'm stuck now and no idea what to do, parts need to go tomorrow so the pressure is there as well

Was there ever a definitive fix for this issue?

I really can't use it with this uncertainty which i thought was gone.

Any quick suggestions??

Using V062 BTW

447

General Mach Discussion / Re: Bridgeport Knee Mill Conversion?

« on: February 18, 2018, 03:13:24 AM »

The head on my mill is the original style with oil cups - one for the bearings via a pipe cleaner drip-feed and the other was for the quill feed mechanism.

It's a total loss system - oil goes in, oil comes out but at least they get oil.

If i fit new bearings then they will likely be greased for life but you still need oil in there for the quill sleeve or it will seize - you cant mix oil and grease so just fitting greased bearings is not the end - you need to redirect the drip-feed to the quill sleeve or cap it off and use the down-feed oiler to lube the quill. To do this right needs a head strip IMHO.

I won't be using an impact wrench - this is BT30 tool-hoding so there is less need to rack the drawbar up mega-tight, when i get going on the power drawbar it will likely be a geared stepper motor system.

448

General Mach Discussion / Re: Bridgeport Knee Mill Conversion?

« on: February 17, 2018, 02:39:53 PM »

I was surprised too, seems the critical temperature is 125c no more, i also blew air down the spindle to try keeping it cooler.

No damage, no sweat and all parts reusable.

To reassemble, I borrowed a baking tray from the cook room wrapped the bearings in tinfoil, set my powder-coat oven to 120c, put a lump of 1/4" scrap steel on the tray, bearings on top and gave it 20 minutes.

I mounted the spindle vertically in the vise, gripping on the drive dogs, donned a pair of welding gloves and the bearings just fell on, no hint of pressure needed. I realigned the little "o" marks on the inner and outer races and also between top/bottom bearings, tightened the locking ring and left to cool, retightened and lock-tabbed it.

These were original bearings, specially ground and marked with codes, the tubes were measured and both were equal.

Spindle feels very smooth and is now wrapped in cling-film awaiting fitting.

I need to make a drawbar - one piece or two joined ?? Its a hell of a lot of turning if one piece

Anyone know what thread is in a BT30 holder??

449

General Mach Discussion / Re: Bridgeport Knee Mill Conversion?

« on: February 17, 2018, 07:04:56 AM »

I got the bearings off the spindle - this way....

Remove the locknut and washer, place splines in lathe chuck with packers to protect, get blow lamp, run lathe at low speed, aim heat at inner race-the spinning shaft ensures even heating. After a few minutes the bearing just slides off with a gentle start from a rubber hammer, rinse and repeat for each bearing but make sure to allow the shaft to fully cool between each cycle.

The bearings appear to be in good shape and i will refit them if only just to see if it works. I cleaned in a three-bath wash of white spirit going from dirty to clean then dried-off with paper towel and soaked in spindle oil (these will be going back with oil not grease), they feel slick and very smooth so i see no reason not to refit.

If it grinds itself to bits in a day then now i know how easy to change them it will only mean minimal down-time.

I have a feeling the hard part is going to be getting the spindle out of the quill - pretty certain I fitted a longer screw to hold the Z axis drive which will block removal of the spindle assembly. If that is the case it means stripping the Z drive down which is a bigger PITA.

450

General Mach Discussion / Re: Bridgeport Knee Mill Conversion?

« on: February 17, 2018, 03:18:51 AM »

I just discovered your thread today so I joined the forum to give you a thumbs up.

WOW - you have really done a lot on your Bridgeport.  Great Job!

I have a BOSS 5, QC30, original steppers, geckodrives, vfd, 4th axis with servo...  I also realized very quickly the limitations due to the limited quill travel and am interested in adding a stepper or servo to the knee as you have done.  Can you share the list of parts you used?  I assume you also did the mounting bracket in Fusion360?  That would be great to see as well.

You indicated you want to add an ATC.  I'm anxious to see how you implement that with QC30 (if that is your plan). 

Joe

Sounds like yo have a nice machine there, i've spent way too much on mine but i cant fit a normal VMC in plus i like the big bed I have, VMC's always seem cramped

I'll be using the QC30 spindle with BT30 holders and a drawbar, should fit as i have been told plus it makes ATC a lot easier.

I used a 700w AC servo on the knee, it takes a fair bit of torque (I measured 8-10Nm) to get it moving, plus it matches my other drives, Belt is HTD5x15 and i'm using the stock Bridgeport bevel gears and screw.

I'll find a pic of the bracket but it was very easy.
I'll be using the