Newbie- Anyone ever retro a BP series 1?

[jcox1968]

I am about to undertake this project and I was curious how everybody else goes about mounting the servos and how big of pulleys they used.
Did you have to make a new bracket or is it just as easy to modify the ones that are there already?
I was told to get pulleys and belts for a 3:1 ratio when I bought the controller and servos. I wondered if anyone might possibly sell some sort of a belt and pulley kit that is ready made for this?
I am completly lost as to what size pulleys and belts to get.
I would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks... John

[metal mite]

Hi John I did retrofit on x and y . Where did you get your controller and servos from. I used htd timing belts 8mm x 20 mm and a 20 teeth gear for the servo and 56 teeth gear .

[jcox1968]

Hey! Thanks very much for the reply....
I bought the controller as a package deal from CNC - MachMotion.com. They refer to it as the "TECO" kit. My origional plan was to retro a small Rong Fu benchtop stepper machine that I have been playing around with until I was able to save up enough $ to get a bridgeport. Guess I should make it clear that I have never tried anything like this before. It is something I have wanted to do my whole life but never had the guts to try. Anyway, I got this control home and I quickly began to realize that as much work as it takes to do this, I only want to do it once so I waited until I had a BP to do it on. Another member here sold me a beautiful series 1 with a BOSS 3 controller that still works save one small glitch that we think is just a transistor. It seems a shame to remove it from the machine but the new control is here to stay and it MUST GO.I guess I should try to resell. IDUNNO.
Since my last post here I did manage to find a very very helpful build log titled "Amae's Bridgeport Series I BOSS3 retrofit" that gave me some really good ideas for the pulleys. That entire log is really worth a look for anyone who is new to this.
So,,,,,, I am contemplating going with a 24 and a 72 tooth pulley. As this guy's build log suggested, I found a website that provides a 3D cad drawing of all of their pulleys, and I intend to make them myself from that cad file. The idea being that I will cut several of them out of quarter inch material and pin them together to make a single 1 inch wide pulley. I would have never in a million years come up with an idea that brilliant.
So that is my game plan and I would very much appreciate ANY ideas or suggestions you might have.
Again, thanks for your reply.
John.....

[metal mite]

Hey John checked out your teco ,wish I bought that set up . 24 and 72 is a better set up, but I am happy what it can do it has never stalled i cut out shapes in 3/8 thick Alum in one shot , 56 tooth was under 6 inch in dia .making your own gears is great if you have the time , for $84.00 you can buy one. Here is the timing gear I used .McMaster-Carr

[jcox1968]

When I tought about the time I would spend and all the asses I would have to kiss to make my own pulleys, it was rather clear that you have the better idea. I looked at the link you sent me and I was unable to find the 20 tooth pulley that you spoke of. I was curious if perhaps you might have been mistaken on that and actually got the 22 instead? The reason I ask is not to be a smartass, I am more concerned with getting the right parts and doing this right. I am really flying blind on this deal and would appreciate any advice you might have. I assume that 8MM is the pitch. Is this correct? I really don't know how big or small of a pitch one could vary on this and still have enough grip to not wear the belt out or something. Like I said, any advice is greatly appreciated. Also, I was curious why you did not retro the "Z" on your project? It would be cool to see a pic of this beast you created B.T.W.~~~~
Thanks very much for replying.
John....

[mactec54]

jcox1968

What size are the Teco motors you are using,(How many Watts) The normal Boss up to Boss 5 run a 1.1 ratio, with your ballscrews you already are at 5.1 ratio,I used the standard pulleys, on the machines that I have built

[jcox1968]

Continuous running duty Rated output (W) 750
Rated torque 30 in/lb Class (21.16 in/lb) (2.391 Newton meters) (338.6 oz/lb)
Maximum torque 63.4 in/lb (7.164 Newton meters) (1014 oz/lb)
Rated speed (r/min) 3000
Rated current (A) 3.4
Encoder 2500 line

Hopefully this is the info that you asked for.
Thanks, John

[mactec54]

jcox1968

The 750watt motors you have, will run your Bridgeport Boss 3 at 1.1 ratio, so you can use the original timing pulleys, you may need different bushings, in your pulleys to suit the new motors,But they are easy to find & bore to the size you need, put the keys in them as well, or they will slip on the shaft without them

[metal mite]

It's frustrating doing this, here is a place where you can get the 20 pitch gear, you may have to find a distributor in your area .


sprockets, gears, sheaves, bushings, couplings, idlers, drag conveyors, screw conveyors, bucket elevators, industrial hand tools, forgings.

[mactec54]

metal mite

He does not need any new timing pulleys, jcox1968 can use what was on the machine as standard, 1.1

[metal mite]

Sorry 20 tooth gear , I used the Htd belts and pulleys because of the torque , It far out bettered any other I looked at .

[mactec54]

metal mite

What motors did you use, There's nothing better than using the original Pulleys & belts that are on the machine, If your motors are sized right for the machine