A buddy of mine wants to buy a 1984 mill.It runs on tape;Did this machine come with ballscrews?Is the machine using steppers or servos?since the machine is operational would it be hard to convert to use diskettes instead of tape..
any info would be appreciated..thanks
By the way the electronic part would not pose a big problem since I am
an electronic technician..

You are not very specific but I can make some assumptions.
In all probability, it is stepping motor BOSS (5 or 6) machine. You can load it by tape (parallel interface) or with a PC (RS232) or with a teletype (20ma current loop).
It should have X, Y, and Z ballscrews unless it is a conversion of some sort then nothing I have said has any validity.

George

As machinetek said, we have to make some assumptions:
Is it operational? Can you load and run programs by tape?
Is it a Series 1?

If yes, it should have a couple of round connectors on the front of the right side cabinet labelled "local" and "remote." The "local" socket can be configured for communication via RS232. That way, you can use a PC running a standard terminal emulator program to load your programs from floppies, hard drive, etc.

I have a 1984 BOSS 6, which was the last of the stepper motor machines. I load my programs from my office PC, with a Series "T" switch box in the shop which routes it to either my BOSS 5 or BOSS 6 machine.

The following picture shows the finned, black, cast aluminum heat sinks which indicate stepper motors. BOSS 3 - 6 machines had these. Also, you can see the black cover for the connectors mentioned above just under the X axis motor (lower right).

Rob

Looks very similar to my Bridgeport Series 1 BOSS 5 CNC (~1979).

I recommend you get Hillbillies Break Out Board (BOB) controller. It allows MACH3 and a PC to control the machine. the memory space on th BOSS 5 controller was a problem for us.

Subject: Re: BOB Controller Board

Brian,

Here are the instructions I send with the board to do a Bridgeport stepper machine. The board is $69 plus $10 shipping and handling.

Thanks for inquiring!
Darek
ashburn@icx.net

That is the contact e-mail i have for Darek. He is also on this forum under 'Hillbilly', I believe.

Excellent instructions and great support as well.

Can someone tell me what are the ratings of the stepper motor for axes X,Y Z
How many Oz of torque..Thanks..