RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] upgrade Centroid CNC4

Chuck,

I use a CNC4 on an Excello knee mill. I don't think you can get around the
CNC software and use MACH3 to input to it. It will take G code through
Cencomm as you said but I know of no other way to interface to it. Your
system is a stepper system right? The CNC4 is a 8 amp stepper control system
and you could use the 80 volt power supply from CNC4 and put Gecko stepper
drivers in it and run the whole thing off MACH3. If your CNC4 is running
good you might be able to sell it and buy the Geckos for about the same
cost, then add the computer, breakout box, MACH3,and power supply and you
are up and running.

I am gettting tired of the limitations of the CNC4 and plan to this this
upgrade myself. I originally wanted to go into the CNC4 controller and see
if I could find a place to inject step and direction commands. It looks
like the stepper drivers in the CNC4 share part of the controller functions
so there may not be a simple interface to inject step and direction.

I think it will be MUCH easier to just use Geckos and get rid of the CNC4.

Let me know how this goes. If anyone else out there has knowledge of the
CNC4 please write in. I believe what I have said is true but I have been
wrong so many times on this CNC stuff.


John C

-----Original Message-----
From: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of robin
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 1:11 AM
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] upgrade Centroid CNC4

On 25-Jan-2012 9:30 AM, Chuck Merja wrote:
> I've become sort of competent in turning a drawing thru CAM to GCode and
> actually cut the part using MACH3 on our CNC'd Grizzly G8689 - THANKS to
the
> help from many on this forum.
> I now want to tackle the Bridgeport unit I bought about a year ago. It
was
> originally a 1974 series II CNC that has been retrofit with a Centroid
CNC4
> (CNC4E-B24-MD3-80V serial no 1296 circa 1991). I got out the book(s) for
> CNC4 and Cencomm and well, this is going to be a real learning experience.
> It looks like I can either enter Gcode directly or via Cencomm (for files
> under 24K). My question is, is it feasible/practical to use MACH3 as a
> front end for this CNC4 or am I stuck unless I do what I would guess to be
a
> pretty expensive upgrade?? It appears that the controller is 80286
vintage
> - at least there is some documentation for such a MB in the paperwork I
> received with the mill. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!
>
> Chuck Merja
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
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If you wish to post on unlimited OT subjects goto:
aol://5863:126/rec.crafts.metalworking or go thru Google.com to reach it if
you have trouble.
http://www.metalworking.com/news_servers.html

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jobshophomeshop I consider this to be a
sister site to the CCED group, as many of the same members are there, for OT
subjects, that are not allowed on the CCED list.

NOTICE: ALL POSTINGS TO THIS GROUP BECOME PUBLIC DOMAIN BY POSTING THEM.
DON'T POST IF YOU CAN NOT ACCEPT THIS.....NO EXCEPTIONS........
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FILES: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/files/
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OFF Topic POSTS: General Machining
If you wish to post on unlimited OT subjects goto:
aol://5863:126/rec.crafts.metalworking or go thru Google.com to reach it if
you have trouble.
http://www.metalworking.com/news_servers.html

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jobshophomeshop I consider this to be a
sister site to the CCED group, as many of the same members are there, for OT
subjects, that are not allowed on the CCED list.

NOTICE: ALL POSTINGS TO THIS GROUP BECOME PUBLIC DOMAIN BY POSTING THEM.
DON'T POST IF YOU CAN NOT ACCEPT THIS.....NO EXCEPTIONS........
bill
List Mom
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