Re: Desktop CNC Machines?

Brian,

I would second Ron's comments about the choice of a Bridgeport. He
has done a beautiful job retrofitting his mill. I found a Boss 6
controlled machine and would never go to a manual one after using the
CNC for several years. I have garage business and make basically
simple parts, but it is amazing what can be done with today's CAD/CAM
or even writing G codes. If you are not familiar, G codes are
written to tell the machine how to move and are quite easy to learn
especially with your background. The cost is relatively low to put
in a new controller etc. and with an electronics background will not
be very difficult. There is a lot of help to be found on this
forum. Again, with a Bridgeport you will not be limited as you would
be with a desktop machine. Remember, once you get going, you will
more than likely want to do more on the CNC than you imagine now.
Good luck

Keith Clark

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, R Rogers <rogersmach@y...>
wrote:

>
>
>
> canadabrianb11 wrote:
>
> >Firstly, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Brian

Buchan,

> >and I live in Kamloops BC Canada. I own a small manufacturing
> >business. I have an electronics background focusing on industrial
> >robotics, so CNC is not totally new to me. I look forward to being

a

> >member of this group.
> >
> >We are starting to do more and more custom work, and my bills at

the

> >local CNC shop are killing me.
> >
> >Most of my CNC requirements are for small pieces machined of

Delrin

> >or 6061 aluminum, and maybe the occasional piece of 12L14 steel.

Lot

> >size is typically 10 to 50 pieces. The biggest piece we would do
> >would be about 7 x 1 x 1 inches, mostly quite a bit smaller.
> >
> >I'm thinking about buying (or building?) a small desktop CNC

machine

> >and starting to do this work in house. I've spent a bit of time
> >looking at some of the available machines, but it's gotten a

little

> >overwhelming. At the absolute high end of my budget, the CNC Jr.
> >seems a little big (read "expensive") for my requirements, but I'm
> >not really sure if the smaller machines (ie MaxNC, etc.) are up to

my

> >needs. I don't think I need to wring every last second of machine
> >time out of whatever I buy to make this a cost effective thing to

do.

> >
> >
> Hey Brian
>
> Welcome to the group. Owning a machine shop myself the last

thing I should be doing is helping you move your manufacturing in
house. Anyways, My advice would be to just clean out a corner and
find yourselves a good used Bridgeport manual or CNC with an
antiquated control and retrofit. If you go with a desktop machine you
wouldn't be saving any money or time. The tooling deflection on a
small machine is a nightmare working with steel. There are so many
used Bridgeports available and the economy the way it is, they are
pretty cheap. Look for them at auctions and sales or just call some
local machine shops and ask them if they have any they would like to
get rid of. It requires virtually the same electronics to power a
benchtop as it does a Bridgeport. And requires the same amount of
effort to retrofit. Ballscrews, servo mounts, etc. are much more
readily available. Look in any tooling catalog and you'll see that
everything is aimed at the Bridgeport. They are undoubtedly one of

> the most reliable products the USA has to offer. They run for

years with minimal maintainence and care. 12L14 is "leaded" stock and
machines like butter and well within the scope and capabilities of a
Bridgeport. A good configuration: PC with Mach2 software, Bob
Campbells Mach2 Breakout board, Gecko 320 Servo drives and DC brush
servos. Email me at rogersmach@y... and I will send you a pic of my
retrofitted Bridgeport for ideas.

>
> Ron
>
>
>
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