P&W Tape'O'Matic's

>from: Robert Allen & Marsha Camp <mcamp@...>

>I thought I'd ask here as this seems to be the place for
>inexpensive cnc discussion. I am getting ready to
>retrofit a like new
>(mechanically) 1967 Pratt & Whitney Tape-O-Matic 2 axis
>mill/ drilling machine, 3 hp spindle, with new motion
>control on the X &Y
>axis. I have 400 in. oz. 5 wire unipolar steppers on the
>table now which are OK, the controller is garbage.
>Based on the info I have that I can buy (2) 720 in. oz. motors ($250 ea.),

(3) drives (gecko), and CNC Pro software ($550 >for software and drives) for
$1050 and estimate $300 for power supply.

Bob, I've got a similar beast in my shop. Its a 1972 P&W Tape'O'Matic, but
is is the Triax, 3 axis servo machne, with a 5hp head, also brain dead. I
plan to keep the servo motors, and use new amps, interface board, and EMC.
It's not project #1 yet, but getting closer to the top. I'll be looking
forward to updates on your progress. Are your steppers mounted below the
ballscrews, with 1:1 belts? Is the ball screw encoder on the opposite end
of the shaft, like mine?
Lastly, I've got a NMTB #40 taper spindle, and there is only a cam lock
spindle nut to hold the tools in. There is no provision for a drawbar. Is
yours the same? To the group, is this common, not having a drawbar on the
tool holder?

Brad