Re: mill

> I've been looking for a milling machine for a home shop for a while. I
> just found this going up for auction (military surplus). I realize it
> is way overkill for a home shop but if I could get it for the right
> price... I looked for some info on the machine on the web with no luck,
> does anyone here have any info on it, or thoughts about it's usefulness
> in a small shop. If it's possible to convert to 220v or run 415v in the
> home.

Hi Al

As Jon mentioned, the Interact is a big machine - a litlle over 1.5 tons. But
worth it if you can get one at the right price. I have an Interact II myself,
running on a 240V single phase supply. The spindle motor can be wired for
either 220/380V or 415/440V. The frequency makes no difference, as you would
calibrate the speed idicator to suit. I have changed the taps on the
transformers so that I can run it on a domestic 240V supply, the main fuse is
rated at 13 amps. That leaves the spindle motor needing a three phase supply,
which provided for by a Eurotherm variable frequency inverter. The controller -
a TNC 151 I believe - is pretty reliable. Heidenhain can supply software to
down and up load programs. Ask them for their free TNC guide cdrom - it
includes a copy of tncremo - a dos and win version of the comms program.
I have had one of the drive amps go down, but Bosch will repair them, at a
price -Ouch...
The down side of owning an Interact is the programming language and program
size. I am assuming the Ineract 4 is pretty much the same as mine, if so,
programming is not too dificult to master. I have a limit of 999 lines, which
does restrict what I can do, but there are ways around.

Even if the control is shot and you have enough room for it, it will make a
nice platform for an EMC + Servo-to-go system. As the EMC package evolves, I
will be upgrading my machine - yet retain the option to refit the original
controls if need be.

BTW I use mine for small model making, the largest part to date is the flywheel
at 115mm Dia.

Regards, Paul.