what's needed for retrofit bridgeport MDI

[billsnogo]

Picking it up this weekend, but want to start browsing for parts, but need to make sure I know what to look for.

From what I can find, these mills came with servo motors, and this one (131 control) has only one driver.

So, to make this a true cnc, I would need to:
1. rip out all electronics except the servo's
2. use a computer to replace the Heidenhain control
3. use software on computer to send signals through the parallel port
4. build a new cabinet to house:
a. new power supply
b. breakout board with parallel port
c. three driver boards
d. encoder??

did I miss anything? Any info/advice for someone electronically challenged?

thanks to anyone who can help

[HawkJET]

Originally Posted by billsnogo So, to make this a true cnc, I would need to: (snip) 4. build a new cabinet...

The new cabinet is optional. If you wanted to, you could just use the existing cabinet. It is probably plenty large for everything, and you don't need to spend money for a new one if you don't want to.

Originally Posted by billsnogo ... to house: (snip) d. encoder??

From the pictures, it looks as though there are encoders on the motors already. It is likely they will work fine (assuming they function properly).

[billsnogo]

Thank you.

So......

Anyone have any suggestions for a parts list?

How about:
pmdx 126 board
3 gecko 320x drives
use existing cabinet, servos, power supply, encoders
add desktop computer running?

How would I go about adding in lost function of running coolant as a mist or stream, and it looks like the mill has power oiler in addition to manual pump.

thanks again

[HawkJET]

Originally Posted by billsnogo How would I go about adding in lost function of running coolant as a mist or stream, and it looks like the mill has power oiler in addition to manual pump.

The BreakOut Board you list should facilitate the necessary control for the coolant and oiler (although I didn't study it closely). When you get further along you will be more familiar with how to wire everything, but you shouldn't need different hardware that what you list.

The oiler likely has a timer to automatically dispense the oil. They typically overdo it with the oil (which is way better than "under" doing it). When I get mine going, I'll be writing a routine to only run the timer when an axis is actually moving. That way I won't be needlessly pumping away oil while the machine sits idle while sill powered up.

[Sparky_NY]

Originally Posted by billsnogo Thank you. So...... Anyone have any suggestions for a parts list? How about: pmdx 126 board 3 gecko 320x drives use existing cabinet, servos, power supply, encoders add desktop computer running? How would I go about adding in lost function of running coolant as a mist or stream, and it looks like the mill has power oiler in addition to manual pump. thanks again

Gecko drives are not a good choice for this machine. Its servo motors ratings are above what a gecko can supply. Your powersupply is around 125V. Dugong drives from cncdrives would work very well. I retrofitted a bp with these and love it. For about $100 you can put on amt encoders which would be quite a improvement and good insurance.

[billsnogo]

Thanks Sparky. I will most likely get the dugong drives if I ever get brave enough to attemp the retrofit. From looking at your post, that is a lot of wiring, and not sure I have enough knowlege to complete a project like this, but have time to research.

So, now thinking
3 dugong drivers
not sure on bob now, and weather to use a parallel or usb port
reuse old power supply
computer
encoders

thanks again

[Sparky_NY]

Originally Posted by billsnogo Thanks Sparky. I will most likely get the dugong drives if I ever get brave enough to attemp the retrofit. From looking at your post, that is a lot of wiring, and not sure I have enough knowlege to complete a project like this, but have time to research. So, now thinking 3 dugong drivers not sure on bob now, and weather to use a parallel or usb port reuse old power supply computer encoders thanks again

The parallel port may not be fast enough to do the pulse rate for servos with high res encoders and computers with parallel ports are becoming rare. I went with a old laptop which makes a neat all-in-one package and a smoothstepper which runs off usb.

[HawkJET]

Originally Posted by billsnogo So, now thinking 3 dugong drivers not sure on bob now, and weather to use a parallel or usb port reuse old power supply computer encoders

If you wanted to, I'll bet you could do this in stages. Start by getting going with your existing encoders and use the parallel port. You will gain A LOT of experience by have a functional CNC. If you want to upgrade at a later date, you could replace your encoders and get a SmoothStepper.

Chances are, for what you are doing, you will likely be quite satisfied with the simpler solution. Also, although parallel ports are being phased out, they are no problem to find as a separate board, and if you look around, you can still get them on the mother board (just not as easily).

My machine is a stepper motor system, so there may be some things I am missing... Sparky or others may have comments.

[punisher454]

About parallel ports.
I recently ran into a situation with a new computer build and a parallel port problem. I bought a very top end motherboard with all the bells and whistles including a parallel port. I wanted a built in parallel port so I could still use my old eprom programmer which uses a parallel port interface.
I use Windows 7 and have learned that win7 will not allow direct access to the parallel port by my burner software. Ended up having to upgrade my Eprom burner to a newer USB version. Using anything with a parallel port is getting harder and harder all the time.

[HawkJET]

Originally Posted by punisher454 win7 will not allow direct access to the parallel port

I knew this but forgot. It is good to be reminded. I use winXP exclusively, but that is being phased out also....

[billsnogo]

Originally Posted by Sparky_NY The parallel port may not be fast enough to do the pulse rate for servos with high res encoders and computers with parallel ports are becoming rare. I went with a old laptop which makes a neat all-in-one package and a smoothstepper which runs off usb.

Okay, revamp on what I THINK I might need

dugong DG2S-16035 drives (3)
HD breakout board (from cncdrive)
smoothstepper board
AMT103 encoders (3)

Not sure what else might be needed, or where to go about to find wiring schematics to get this thing together though......

thanks again guys

[Sparky_NY]

Cnc4pc has all the components necessary. Look at the wiring diagram at the bottom of this page using their breakout board that interfaces directly with the smoothstepper and the cncdrives servo drives.

CNC4PC