Re: Help with Bridgeport retrofit parts and plans

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "CalBoy101" <pt@f...> wrote:

> > Plenty of NEMA 34 motors out there that kick butt on the original
> > Bridgeport motors.
> >
> > Scott
>
> Scott-
>
> Do you know how much reduction was used on the original Bridgeport
> motors?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Paul T.

The first ones were 1:1. The later machines went to 2:1. Rapids
on the BOSS machines were in the 100 IPM+ range. The problem with
using the original steppers, and the reason that most people convert
to servos, seems to be a reliability issue. When you start popping
Gecko drives like popcorn, time to retrofit. Don't get me wrong
though. There are many BOSS machines out there running the original
steppers still. I just got a BOSS 4 and am going to convert to
servos. I want to do it once and do it right. If you are patient
and look hard you can find surplus servo motors for the price of
quality steppers. I got my servos for $150 each.
Technology has come a LONG way since the Bridgeport stepper motors
were made. Soon you will be able to buy a NEMA 23 motor that
rivals the old Bridgeport steppers. Evolution to smaller and more
powerful is just a fact. Take a look at the 2 HUGE electronic
cabinets on the BOSS machines. Now everything to run circles around
the original BOSS machines fits in less than 1/2 of 1 of those
cabinets.

Scott