Re: Bridgeport CNC retrofit recommendations wanted.

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, whagaman@s... wrote:

> Bob, I bought a ACRA 9X49" BP clone and retrofitted it with an X,Y
> and quill kit from Elrod Machine and servos and controller from
> Flashcut and am VERY happpy with it.
> I have used Anilam controls, as well as a Haas with fanuc

controls

> and Flashcut is soooo much better--I can program the part, post it
> to a file, minimize the controller program, open Flashcut, and run
> the part on the same computer. No floppy's, no DNC, no hassle. It
> seems like a lot of people think that conversational code, canned
> cycles and mirroring in the controller is important, but it is
> usually much quicker to do that stuff in the CAM system:

especially

> with the unlimited file size with a Windows-based controller.
> The Elrod hardware is first-rate--Bridgeport used their
> quill system for their OEM machines.

Everybody has their favorite methods in programming/running parts.
Canned cycles and conversational programming are my preference.
Take an example, a rectangular pocket 1" x 2" x .75" deep with .25"
corner radius cut with a 3/8" EM. Step mill to depth and use a .005"
finish pass on walls and bottom. Program that in CAM and most
likely you'll have a program that's a hundred or more lines long.
Use a canned cycle on a decent controller and it's one easy to
understand and modify line of code.

If you break your last 3/8" EM and all you have is a 5/16" EM to
complete the job what do you do? Go back to CAM and re-program,
right? With a canned cycle all you do is change the offsets in the
tool table and run again.