Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Looking for as much info as possible to construct a CNC system

What you have there is an old tape controlled Bridgeport. One pneumatic
cylinder is attached to the spindle brake. The brake is spring loaded "on"
and is pulled "off" by the cylinder when the spindle is running or the manual
switch is activated. The main reason for the spindle brake is to stop the
spindle in an estop situation.

The Spindle Wizard is a positioning system for the quill, and while I'm
unfamiliar with them, my guess is that the cylinder really is attached to the
quill lock to keep it in place while milling. I think this is a 2 axis
control with the ability to change the Z depth when nothing else is moving.
In fact, the quill drive may not be strong enough to plunge a cutter into the
work, only position it to a certain depth before cutting begins. The quill
needs to be locked to prevent the cutter from pulling down into the
workpiece.

What you really want to do is to ask the question on the list, "Anyone know
how the Spindle Wizard quill drive works"?

If your control is toast, your best bet is a complete retrofit with
Geckodrives and a PC. You may be able to salvage the motors and power supply
components. If you have what I think you have, inside the control box
there'll be a blue colored servo amplifier box that says something like,
"NC-100" on it. Does it?

Get a digital camerea, pictures would be a big help!

Matt