EZ Trak II SX

[Steve@Reliance]

I have stumbled upon a EZ Trak that basicly if I move it I can have it, I just have to make some parts for the guy that owns it. Right now the machine has stuff piled on it and it is jammed in a corner but still hooked up. I am told it runs, but "goes to sleep" on occasion, and has some other bugs. I don't know anything about Bridgeport cnc and never took them seriously because I always worked on full VMC's, but this thing has got me interested. There are no manuals so I don't know where to start. The original monitor has been replaced, but besides being dirty looks to be in ggod shape. What type of programming is done on these machines, G-code? Is this thing going to be worth the trouble? I am told it is a 96'

Steve

[NC Cams]

I have one and it is a real gem - now that we tuned it up. If it has a PC base, you're probably in better "luck" than CIB in my opinion - less costly to fix.

We have ours running VERY well. It is a DOS 6.22 based PC system that simply runs. It does take G code and some M codes and it will do some pretty fancy 2.5 D work. The same basic G code we feed the 'Trak works on the neighbor's Haas.

Some 'Traks have an encoder equipped servo on Z axis will do 3D work - ours has DRO f/b on Z. It is an "early" Z drive model and there's too much hysterisis to do true 3D work. The later ones had encoder on motor AND the DRO scale as well. These are preferred but the "outrigger drive" ones will work fine as a 2.5D CNC mill.

WE can easily 2D mill golf club putter heads. We can also 2D mill cam grinding masters good enough to used in anything but the highest demanding race car or hydraulic cam use - this type work requires a Haas VMC or the use of a $1.75million CNC grinder. It also takes a bit of "tuning" and ball screw tune-up which can be done first class or semi-hacked.

To check the accuracy of machine, outside mill a circle and check for roundness and 'flats at direction change. This will tell you how good of shape the machine is in and how much "tuning" you'll need to do to get it "right".

I have an operating/programming and wiring schematics for PC based machine. I could send for reasonable copy expense. I also have full parts/owners manual that could be copied/sent as well.

For what it will cost you, I'd JUMP at it in a heartbeat especially if it is PC based, you'd be STOOOOPID not to!!!!!!

[Steve@Reliance]

I will have to go look at the machine again. I have been told someone has retrofitted a keyboard on it and who knows what else has been done to it.

[NC Cams]

Depending on the machine, an external keyboard is simply installed by plugging it in and shifting the position of another external plug.

The thing to look for is the motherboard. A CIB (computer in box) is one type and a regular PC type motherboard bolted to back wall of power cabinet (with obvious 486 processor) is the other type (ours is this way).

No matter what, it would be a good machine to have or an even better one to retrofit as most of the CNC work is already fitted for you....

You'd be a fool NOT to get/take it....

[machintek]

Back in 1996 I believe I was installing DX EZTRAKS which means that it should have been built with a hard drive.

DO NOT PASS THIS UP!! NO MATTER WHAT (unless it has been on the bottom of the ocean for a couple of years).

George

[Gncc50]

I have a 95 Eztrak that I had a new Elrod type 3rd axis installed. It is a great little machine. The control is extremely easy to learn. You can run it using standard G code or the conversational .pgm format. As George said you would be crazy to pass it up. Check Ebay a 2 axis just sold for over $12,000 I think it was a 95. Good luck.

[BptRoadman]

Nice machine
If you need software I have it and will be glad to give it to you

Tom

[BptRoadman]

You can use a standard Keyboard ... in fact many companies would rather use a standard keyboard because you can name your programs

[BptRoadman]

The SX uses a 386 ... so the BMDC won't work on a 486 ... however it may work if you load the DX software ... but I never tried it.

[machintek]

The BMDC will work on a 386 or a 486. The older BMDC has socketed ICs and is only a 2.5 axis. This will not support a 3rd axis with the encoder on the motor. Even the electrical cabinet on the SX is smaller and will not support a 3rd axis drive board.
On the older EZTRAKs I do not go higher than VER 3.08 in software. Less grief, runs better and has a screen saver.
Bridgeport recently fixed version 6 so the engraving works correctly as well as some other bugs.
Does not matter if it is a SX or DX, it is still an awesome machine.

George

[BptRoadman]

I recall a problem SX and went to a 486 and could not get it to work ...maybe I swapped a bad motherboard with another bad motherboard.
The unit booted but failed to see the BMDC ...
Are you saying the software does not have to be changed if you use a 486?

I love the EZ Trak .. I thought it was the best machine in it's class. Put a power feed on the knee and an Elrod 3rd axis WoW

[machintek]

If it counts down to zero during software loading, you may have a corrupted file, or the BMDC is not communicating. There was a file called the B3T.exe that tested the BMDC. Most VMCs had it but most trak software did not. If you ran it you only verified what you already knew, that the BMDC needed repair.
As I stated before, the BMDC actually runs the machine. It even translates internally a conversational program to G & M code. The PC is used to load it and as a means of communication between the operator and the BMDC. There are a pile of different BMDCs. They vary with ability (2.5 axis trak to a EZPATH with a electric turret and bar feeder to a 4 axis VMC) and with the physical orientation of the plugs, as well as that the older ones have socketed chips vs the newer are wave soldered. But going from a 386 to a 486 should not make a difference.

George