Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Bridgeport! (a BIGGER brother!)

Alan,

The boss stepper drivers do not take step and direction input. They take
phase inputs. That is why I made a little board to make these conversions.

Tom Eldredge, Trustee

----- Original Message -----
From: Alan Marconett KM6VV <KM6VV@...>
To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2001 5:18 PM
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Bridgeport! (a BIGGER brother!)


> Joe,
>
> Thanks for the additional information. I'll go take another look at the
> Bridgeports I saw (without the wife). But I think they were saying 3-4
> grand. Not that that was a "final" price. Care to post a pix? High
> detail, something I can print out on my laser printer and take to the
> shop. I'm sure I saw handwheels. HUGE.
>
> The stepper motors would be perfect. And I have driver cards for
> unipolar motors, as well as power supply. I even think I have room in
> my garage, er, shop! As long as I can get riggers to move it in for me.
>
> Alan KM6VV
> P.S. RANT ON! Good info!
>
> Joe Vicars wrote:
> >
> > Guys,
> > I think you are missing what I am talking about. A Bridgeport
Series 1 and 2 CNC were made by the thousands in the 80's. They
> > used stepper motors, open loop, 1/2 step unipolar drive. The two
machines are identical except for the knee and table. The series
> > 2 weighs about 1000-1500lbs more because of a larger envelope (something
like 15 x 30 vs, 12 x 18 for the series 1) Most had a
> > rigid ram, but some had the regular V-ram style although these are much
less rigid. Some have power drawbar, but most I have seen
> > have quick change Ericson 30 taper spindle.
> > These are not converted Bridgeports, they are dedicated CNC. No
handwheels, ballscrews all around and 10 times better Z than
> > you get in ANY retrofit of a standard bridgeport head.
> > All you have to do is replace the stepper drivers with new ones, and
put a phase converter on the spindle motor. That's it!
> > You can do the break by hand and blow shop air into the speed control
when you want to change speeds, or it's just as easy to hook
> > up the air controls.
> > As Tim pointed out, the motors won't run at their OEM performance
level, but so what? We're talking home shop here and 30 ipm
> > should be plenty
> > Someone tell me where else you can get a full size 3 axis mill for
less than 2 grand?
> > The ONLY disadvantage is the size. Many guys may not have room.
But I tell you I have a 10' by 20' with only a 7 foot ceiling
> > and I would never go back to my old JET. You guys with basement shops
would have real trouble with it.
> > I don't care where you live, if you look around you will find one
dead and rusting off in the corner somewhere. If you can't
> > find one for less than 2 grand you're not looking hard enough.
> > End of rant.
>
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