RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Any Links to PC Based CNC Retrofits or Tuto rials?

Marty,

Welcome to the group. You have definitely picked the right group. While we
are dedicated to home hobbyist CNC that takes in quite a span of interests.
One of my current projects is to replace the dead control on a Bridgett (a
Bridgeport series II) for my home workshop. There are a number of people on
the list that have/are convert(ed/ing) Bridgeports and other similar sized
machines.

I would suggest you start with the FAQ at
http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html There is a link at the bottom of the
page titled "Great collection of resource and reference links. AKA: Bill's
(the list mom) collection of links" I would suggest you follow it and start
hunting the sites listed. It will truly be an educational experience.

Regarding your specific situation, there are/were a number of different
control systems used on the Bridgeport machines. The older ones were
steppers and the newer ones are servos. What is required will vary with the
system. If it is the steppers you may want to replace the drives and only
keep the motors. If it is the servos I would guess that you may want to have
the control repaired (potentially expensive) or you could replace the
controls with something like EMC and a Servo to Go card and possibly use the
existing drivers?? I would definitely examine the machine very well and
determine of the ways, screws and spindle are in good shape as they could be
very expensive to rebuild. The more specifics you can tell us about the
machine the better we will be able to help.

Tim
[Denver, CO]

> -----Original Message-----
> I was referred to this group from the newsgroup alt.machines.cnc
> hopefully I'm in the right place for advice! :-)
>
> I'd like to know more of what's involved in doing a Home brew PC
> based CNC retrofit. I'm going to look at a CNC Bridgeport Mill
> tonight. Control is gone but I'm told the rest of the mill is
> complete. At this point I don't know which mill it is other than its
> not a fixed ram machine and "looks" like a regular manual Bridgeport
> other than its strictly CNC controlled. Has a 2hp Variable Speed
> head. I'm on a super restricted budget so it I'm looking at PC based
> EMC software etc. using the drives that are on the machine.
>
> Anyone ever document such a retrofit or conversion and put it up on
> a website? I'd like to "learn" a little more as to what might be
> involved...
>
> Thanks in advance.
> Marty
>
> FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html