Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: NEW conversion project....

>
> Marc: If this machine is a Bridgeport copy,

It's not.
It is a Kent KTM-350 or something similar.
Here is a picture of the 3S which looks like exactly the
same machine as far as I can see from the specs with the
exception of the fact mine is 2 HP and has a single speed motor.
I can't see any difference in the picture.

http://www.kentusa.com/images/RGB%20jpegs/3S.jpeg


That being said, the table and the mounting for the feed screws looks
just like you describe for the bridgeport.
... 3 cap screws, 2 rolled pins, cast aluminum...

It would make sense for a small company to make important aspects of
a machine the same as a defacto standard.

It would be bad to loose sales because a shop has jigs, mounts, attachments
like power feeds and such that they can't install on your new mill.

on the other hand some companies make stuff different to try and force
you to buy that stuff from them as well.

I guess a company needs to decide if they are in business to sell mills
or attachments and design accordingly.

> I can tell you an easy way
> to mount your motors. On the left end of the table there is a pot metal
> or aluminum piece that holds the bearing in. It has three 1/4X20 socket
> head cap screws. Your motor bracket can be mounted using those 3 screw
> holes. The same on the y axis, but turned so that the mount is tilted 30
> degrees. I put a stepper on my knee feed and used the same 3 holes. The
> x mount is horizontal extending to the rear with the motor outboard the
> y is 30 degrees down and to the right with the motor inboard. The z
> (knee feed) is also horizontal to the left with the motor inboard. X & y
> geared 2 to 1 with 3/4" timing belts. The knee feed is also at 2 to 1
> but may go to 2 1/2 to 1 because some software rounds off the last digit
> and produces some distracting numbers. This would give me .0002 rather
> than .00025. I will probably mount a motor on the quill to use when I
> need more speed as in drill cycles. But I like the idea of having a more
> rigid setup with the quill all the way up and locked down. And the ways
> on the knee are probably the least used on any machine so they should
> have the least wear. Any way, if you choose to use the same approach to
> mount your motors be aware that that alloy piece stays in and a spacer
> is needed or a relief cut on the back of the mounting plate because it
> is slightly recessed. I cut a relief groove in the back of my mounting
> plate but you could also use a spacer plate or 3 washers to shim it out.

Thanks, that is more info to consider.

> And don't get your mill torn down to the point where you can't use it to
> make your motor mounts.

Too late...

In any event, I'm taking night classes at a local Applied Tech Center.
It's a great way to get access to a fairly well stocked shop and a lot
of eqpt.

Between my new eqpt and the stuff in the shop, I can make just about
anything I need to to get these things running and converted to CNC.

Thanks, everybody.

Marc