Re: Stepper cnc retrofit ? For Tape-O-Matic

Wally K writes:

Allen & Marsha,

To summerize the details of your Tape-O-Matic and make it easyer for
others to follow i have condensed previous posts.

You want to use a like new (mechanically) 1967 Pratt & Whitney
Tape-O-Matic 2 axis machine for drilling with peck and some 2D
milling.

The Tape-O-Matic was primarly designed for drilling but is capable of
light duty milling.

You want to use a Tape-O-Matic for drilling with peck and some 2D
milling.

1) Machine has zero backlash ballscrews on X and Y axis.

2) The steppers are 400 in. oz. 5 wire unipolar steppers mounted
with a 1-1 belt ratio.

3) Spindle has a 3HP motor turning it.

4) Machine originally had a speed of 10 in./min. max. But you would
like to see 30" to 60"/min.


I still have the following questions about your machine.

1) I did not understand your last answer of pitch is 5. What does
this mean. It might be easier if you told me how much travel you get
with 1 turn of the screw.

2) What are your plans for the Z axis. Is it still powered by the
DC motor. Do you want to replace it with a stepper motor. Or do you
have a manual methode for moving the quill you want to use.

Your previous reply about the quill. "it was powered by a DC motor
through an electric clutch, this drove a a Bridgeport style quill
feed. The depth originally was controlled by several adjustable limit
switch pairs, long since gone". It is not zero backlash.

> > --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@egroups.com, Robert Allen & Marsha Camp
> > <mcamp@t...> wrote:

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.

> > >
> > > My questions are:
> > > 1. Can/should I keep the motors?
> > > 2. Is steppers the best way to go for lowest cost when

performance

> > isn't critical?
> > > 3. Any suggestions for lowering cost?
> > > 4. Any experience with any of this equipment/software?
> > > Thanks in advance
> > > Bob