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Author Topic: Bridgeport sx-15 to mach 3  (Read 13064 times)

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Bridgeport sx-15 to mach 3
« on: October 10, 2012, 02:47:45 AM »
Hello,
I have a bridgeport 3 axis cnc mill that has a bridgeport sx-15 controll on it. The machine is like new, and do not want gut the electronics.
I would like to run it with a desk top and mach 3 via a LPT1 port. Does any one know if this is possible?

Thanks,
Apollo ll

Offline Hood

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Re: Bridgeport sx-15 to mach 3
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2012, 03:17:29 AM »
Not familiar with that control. I would imagine it is servos so if that is the case then almost certainly they will be analogue input servo amplifiers. You can not run them from the parallel port unless you can get a device to convert the Step/Dir to analogue. There used to be such a device but it was a bit hit or miss whether it would work correctly with your hardware and it is no longer made.

Another alternative would be to use one of the external devices available that can control analogue amps from Mach.
They are
CSMIO/IP-A
Galil
DSPMC
Kflop with Kanalog

Hood
Re: Bridgeport sx-15 to mach 3
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2012, 04:21:52 AM »
Thank you for the fast response Hood. Yes you are right they are closed loop DC servos with encoder feedback.
I will research the devises you listed. If I do use one of devises  do I have to by pass the old system?

Apollo ll

Offline Hood

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Re: Bridgeport sx-15 to mach 3
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2012, 04:38:16 AM »
Without actually knowing the machine its hard to say exactly what you would need to change but basically any signals that come from the control now would need to be hooked up to the new controller and then configured either in it or Mach.
Hood
Re: Bridgeport sx-15 to mach 3
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2012, 04:59:34 AM »
Thanks so much! I m looking at the controllers right now.
The machine is a 1993 Bridgeport Apollo ll mill. Have you ever heard of one?

Apollo ll

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Re: Bridgeport sx-15 to mach 3
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2012, 05:03:55 AM »
No afraid not.
Hood

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Re: Bridgeport sx-15 to mach 3
« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2012, 05:07:16 AM »
Can you attach a pic or two, to do that use the additional options button on the reply page.
Hood
Re: Bridgeport sx-15 to mach 3
« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2012, 05:38:01 AM »
Sorry, I tried to from my iPad. But it will not let post a pic. I will post some tomarrow when I get to my laptop.

Apollo ll

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Re: Bridgeport sx-15 to mach 3
« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2012, 05:53:13 AM »
no probs, was just curious. I am wondering if its a VMC or a knee mill.
Hood
Re: Bridgeport sx-15 to mach 3
« Reply #9 on: October 10, 2012, 08:28:02 PM »
It is a big knee mill, about 5,500 lbs. I will try the pictures once more.