Bridgeport Interact brakes? Easy to replace? Wear out wuickly

[ichudov]

I have a Bridgeport Series II Interact 2 milling machine.

It has a electropneumatically actuated brake.

After converting to EMC2, I have not yet made up my mind on what to do with the brake. Right the brake does not work, unless I am in E-Stop. When I need to change tools, I just pull on the brake cylinder by hand.

I am thinking about what to do with brakes and how to wire them. But my first question is very basic:

1) Do they wear out quickly?
2) Are the parts that wear, easy to buy and replace?
3) Where would I get such replacements?

Basically if the brake would wear out from repeated use, then I would set up the mil to not use braking. But if break parts are easy to change and cheap, I would use brakes more often.

[jthornton]

If it is a spindle brake EMC2 has a pin for that.

motion.spindle-brake OUT bit TRUE when the spindle brake should be applied

From the Manual here:
http://www.linuxcnc.org/docview/html.../motion.9.html

I'll have to look at work where I get my BP Knee mill parts...

John

[ichudov]

John, thanks. Yes, it is easy to wire. Here I am trying to decide just how much to use it.

My question was more about its specific mechanical nature: do they wear out when applied to stop the spindle, and where can I find replacements. Thanks

[gus]

Is this the standard varispeed head?


Had mine for 18 years with no trouble with brake

I think the brutal snap action of it make is wear less than a manual brake that we tend to be easier with

use it

[ichudov]

Originally Posted by gus Is this the standard varispeed head? Had mine for 18 years with no trouble with brake I think the brutal snap action of it make is wear less than a manual brake that we tend to be easier with use it

You can see the pictures of my mill here:


http://igor.chudov.com/projects/Brid...ct-2-CNC-Mill/

I think that it is a pretty standard head. The brake really does act FAST!

Any idea where I could possibly get replacements if mine wears out?

i