Bridgeport R2E4 385 Retrofit Help

[electromech31]

Finally got machine placed in our machine shop.
Controller is long gone, machine is in excellent condition mechanically.
Is their anyone out there that has retrofitted one of these machines with a PC based controller running Mach 3, Gecko drives, Breakout board, Feedback board. Need to get a plan in place to get this machine running (boss). Need help answering questions. Parts to use. Don't want to go with a bought retro (centriod, Millpwr, etc), want something I can put together.
Like a boy with a new shiny tonka truck after Christmas, "thank you Santa".
Thanks

[woffler]

There are hundreds of them out there!You have a big project ahead of you but it can be done and with a nice result .First decision servo's or stepper's? this will be your main expense beside your drivers and operating system say Mach 3.Power supply's are readily available at a resonable cost a good place to go look at a system that would be equal to a bridgeport depending on table size, cnc cookbook Bob has a lot of info that will be very useful to you and will give you lots of idea's and examples. good luck and welcome

[electromech31]

Servoe (I believe)(not at work now) are stIll on it. Controller display is gone, sheet metal or plastic shrouding is gone. Motors, encoders, cabinet, is all there.
Is machine spindle motor driven off a freq drive, no way of changing rpms?
Who makes a board to hook up the feedback encoders?
What breakout board do you suggest?
It looks like the driver boards are still in the cabinet, can they be used with somebody elses breakout board? If they are still original.
It's a beutiful machine.

[woffler]

You a probably not going to be able to use any of that stuff unless you salvage the controller from a working machine and have the manuals.Your choices get a centroid retrofit or do it your self and buy servos,drivers and probably a j head to replace the spindle drive that's on the mill .That,s what i was talking about when i said it would be big project basically all your doing is salvaging the iron everything else go's. That's about it, so you need to make sure that the saddle and the ways are in good shape as well as the screw's this thing did not wind up in the bone pile for no reason if it was a good machine it would still be in use.But if every thing else is good, it could be worth your while, but be sure before starting down this road !as it can get real expensive real fast .

woffler

[seniormachinist]

A photo or two would be helpful. If the cabinet is still there, you may be missing only the monitor, keyboard and some switches. A good inventory of what you have is the place to start.

SM

[csaw]

Originally Posted by woffler and probably a j head to replace the spindle drive that's on the mill .That,s what i was talking about when i said it would be big project basically all your doing is salvaging the iron everything else go's. woffler

I am still trying to learn so please bear with me.

Why would he have to replace the above mentioned?

Thanks

[sinklar]

I have a V2XT and I am considering replacing the controls with MACH3 and DSPMC/IP servo controller from Vital Systems. Have you consider this setup? I have already converted the mill to single phase power with a VFD for the motor drive. I am still having problems with the controller boards.

[seniormachinist]

The first thing to learn is to take what you hear here with a grain of salt. Most machines that are surplussed have significant wear and tear issues, but not all.
I have recently acquired two V2XT machines from a government surplus outlet. One has some wear on the Y axis, the other is pristine with 116.2 hours on the meter. Or course they were a crap-shoot with no opportunity to test them, etc. I would assume that the monitor was not working and was removed for repair. I believe the monitor is a PC compatible VGA or EGA unit. Even if it's special, there should be hardware out there somewhere from someones re-control project.

Best luck SM

[electromech31]

looked at it today it has three Power tron 30 Lb in servoes, The Z axis is a model 402CNSP0S72 S/N 19605. All three have encoder connected to the drives.

[seniormachinist]

That looks pretty good to me. How about the cabinet on the side. Has it been gutted, or does it still contain the controller boards and power supplies? Either way, you seem to have the basics of a good project.

SM