Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] CNC retro fit - Gray aera , need help.

Steve,

This group can answer all of your questions.

I will get back with you in the morning.

You can always contact me direct at bob@...

Bob Campbell
www.campbelldesigns.com

----- Original Message -----
From: <pastypies@...>
To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2003 2:45 PM
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] CNC retro fit - Gray aera , need help.


> Hi all,
>
> I am looking for the missing link between a Solidworks part and the
> actual part being machined. I have a JFC-500C mill/drill (quite a
> size as mill/drills go), I would like to make it a CNC mill/drill by
> fitting NEMA 34 size stepper motors to the X and Y axis and perhaps
> something smaller to the Z axis. I have researched the Internet for
> about a month now and have found many informative sites, CNC Retro-
> Fit website at http://www.mendonet.com/cnclinks/index.html is
> especially good. From what I have read I conclude the following.
>
> 1.My mill/drill must have stepper motors fitted to the X/Y and Z
> axis.
>
> 2.If possible I should change the standard Acme lead screws with
> ball screws for greater accuracy.
>
> 3.The motors must connect to some kind of driver or amplifier.
>
> 4.The driver(s) then connect to some kind of controller card fitted
> inside my PC, or connect to an external controller that connects to
> the parallel port etc.
>
> 5.Software on my PC needs to convert G and M codes into signals that
> my controller card can understand (i.e. to be compatible with) to
> drive the motors.
>
> 6.The software (be it the above or other) needs to convert my
> Solidworks 3D model into G and M codes so the part can be machined.
>
> I understand that within reason a stepper motor is pretty generic be
> it 4, 6 or 8 wire. In the same way so is a ball screw, its just a
> ball screw, what you see is what you get. Presumably I can go out
> and get any brand of stepper motor or ball screw and it will make no
> difference what so ever?
>
> The trouble for me comes when choosing drivers, controller cards and
> the software to make the whole thing work. A lot of companies offer
> motors and drivers but no controllers or software, or you can get
> software but it can't translate g-codes. Or you get companies
> that
> just offer software and that's all, like Mach1 from Artsoft
> (www.artofcnc.ca).
>
> There appears to be a grey area when it comes to this compatibility
> issue. Perhaps I'm just being dim or something, or it is just
> assumed that everyone knows what the score is here. Here is an
> example. Suppose I buy three stepper motors from Pacific Scientific
> (but it could be anyone) I also buy 6410 micro-stepping drivers from
> the same suppler to drive my motors. I now need to find a controller
> from a third party that will work with my drivers, and hopefully
> they will also write software that I can use to control my mill g-
> codes etc.
>
> I suppose what I am saying is `Is this whole thing generic'
> by that I mean do all these controllers use a standard command
> language?. If so I could then use any vendor's software to
> control them. As another example could I use the motors and drivers
> above and say a controller card from someone else and software like
> Mach1. This whole CNC retro business seems to be a bit of a black
> art so any help or advice would be more than welcome.
>
> Steve B...
>
>
>
> Addresses:
> FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
> FILES: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/files/
> Post Messages: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
>
> Subscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
> Unsubscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> List owner: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-owner@yahoogroups.com, wanliker@...
> Moderator: jmelson@... timg@... [Moderator]
> URL to this group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO
>
> OFF Topic POSTS: General Machining
> If you wish to post on unlimited OT subjects goto:
aol://5863:126/rec.crafts.metalworking or go thru Google.com to reach it if
you have trouble.
> http://www.metalworking.com/news_servers.html
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jobshophomeshop I consider this to be a
sister site to the CCED group, as many of the same members are there, for OT
subjects, that are not allowed on the CCED list.
>
> NOTICE: ALL POSTINGS TO THIS GROUP BECOME PUBLIC DOMAIN BY POSTING THEM.
DON'T POST IF YOU CAN NOT ACCEPT THIS.....NO EXCEPTIONS........
> bill
> List Mom
> List Owner
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>