Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Bridgeport Series I BTC - some help

Chris Clough wrote:

>
> Anyhow... I went to see Roland Friestad today - let me tell you;
>what an amazing man. He's got more toys then I could ever dream of, and
>the experience that I can only wish I had. While there, I decided to
>purchase one of the Bridgeports he had - it's a Series I CNC
>w/toolchanger (BTC). What I'm wondering from everyone out there are the
>following:
> * Has anyone retrofitted the toolchanger on these units for use
>with new CNC controls? EMC, KCAM, etc.
> * Has anyone played with the VFD units built into these units,
>and got them working properly?
> * Has anyone even played with these massive units?
> I need as much help and advice as I can get... I'm far to green
>to it all to not ask for questions - please, let me know and thanks all.
>-Chris Clough
>

Hi Chris...
I have one of those beasties. I have totally rebuilt it electrically
and electronically. I threw away all of the original
electronics and wiring and then refitted it with an Allen Bradley MP8400
control which I had. The tool changer
is another problem as well as the gear shift, orientation, pneumatic
spidndle, etc. The AB has tool changer
functions but does not know how to control the actual machine. I ended
up by building a small microprocessor
which interfaces between the control and the actual machine hardware
functions. It takes commands from the
AB and performs the requested action. It reports completion back to the
AB and the parts program continues.
It has been quite a project. I have about a year and a half invested in
it and am still making changes here and
there as I use it and find things which could be improved.
Larry....