Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] I'm confused where to go from here with CMD-260 and NEMA 42

Jeff, are you sure it's *not* a Bridgeport manufacture? For a while,
Bridgeport was owned by TEXTRON, and splashed that logo all over the
controller. My SERIES-I CNC (a TEXTRON), uses 56 Vdc supply, but it uses
saturable reactors to control the currents thru the steppers. The stock
motors used by Bridgeport for the SERIES-I were SIGMA (power connection
terminals laid out as two rows of 4 screws), and the alternate motor (which
my machine uses) was by SUPERIOR (screw terminals arranged in a bolt-circle
configuration). I have the full set of manuals for BOSS 3 thru BOSS 6. If I
can help in any way, short of actually copying the manuals, please let me
know. (It might take me a few days to respond). P.S. Anybody located in, or
around Wisconsin? (Reply offline).
RayHex

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> From: washcomp <jeff@...>
>
> I've got a Bridgeport Milling machine with an obsolete NC controller
> from a manufacturer who is out of business and on whom I have no
> documentation. It used an Ecco paper tape drive to a DB-25, but
> without knowing what language it used to talk to the controller, (or
> even if the port is a serial or a parallel), I figure, I might as
> well keep the power supply and replace the rest with more modern
> stepper drives. The X, Y and Z axis are fitted with (direct coupled)
> 8 wire connected NEMA 42 steppers (which I believe are Superior
> Electric from about 1975 or 1980). The motors do not have name
> plates (why make my life easy?).
>
> I just bought three CMD-260 drives on E-Bay (which I think were from
> someone who bought them from Tim Goldstein). I bought them instead
> of Gecko 210's because they were rated at a higher amperage which I
> thought might be needed for the NEMA 42 steppers. I also bought an
> Axxus Technologies DB1V2.0 CNC Parallel Port Interface which I
> thought would be helpful. I also intend to buy some heat sinks and
> fans for the drives.
>
> OK, now the question: Has anyone got a clue what voltage and current
> setting to put the drives and power supply at? I can probably test
> the existing power supply for D.C. voltage. Can I use this reading
> and the coil resistance of the motor to figure out the amperage
> setting? Is there another way to identify the motor specifications
> and requirements?
>
> Any assistance would be appreciated in what the motors are likely to
> be, and any hints to make my life less exciting when I put the
> assorted gadgets together.