How do the Bridgeport Model numbers run, history?

[leeputman]

I have a Bridgeport R2G4 Series I with a Fanuc 11MA controller. But where does that stand in the product line. I cannot locate any history on this subject. Can anyone help? It seems that this may be valuble in an overall understanding of what my machine will do or what it may need. thanks

[machintek]

I saw one of these machines in a Bridgeport wharehouse in Staten Island New York. This was back in about 1986. In my entire Bridgeport career since 1982, this is the only one I have seen.
I would be curious to know what kind of drives and motors it has!
It was released after the R2E4. The R2E3 and R2E4 were not 100% reliable. I believe the R2G4 was an attempt to please the public by offering a machine with a Fanuc control (thus more reliable).

George

[leeputman]

I have uploaded some pictures of the machine. I did get it to run some with a short little program. I am just positioning the tool at a work zero point and using G92. However, after I tried to change this program, it hung-up and I had to power down. Did a few more things and now the axis signs are backwards, + and -. I'm stuck also need to know what to do when the program hangs. How do I get out of it and retry? andone???? Lee

[machintek]

Maybe you changed a parameter or a user defined set up to reverse the sign/direction. Better check your manuals.

George

[leeputman]

THere are so many of these settings and the manual is so largge, I don't even know where to start.

Any ideas?

Do you know a guy by the name of Mike MacNamara? He worked for Bridge port all his life. He now runs a company called machine concepts in Milwaukee. He is the one that sold this machine to The Engineering department.

[NC Cams]

On legacy machines, you start from the beginning - as in reading of the largge (sic) manuals, usually over and over and via a methodical process - no silver bullets on legacy equipment, especially stuff that is old enough to vote.

Look at it as a history lesson. IT also increases your value to the company to the point of indispenseability if you're the only person who can run some huge new trick piece of machinery - especially if it is an outdated one that somebody in management bought on a "deal".

Maybe Mr MacNamara can be of assistance, especially if he ever wants to do business with your company again.

[machintek]

Sorry, but I have no manuals on this machine. Never even had my hands on one. Maybe a Jurrasic FANUC service tech would have an idea.
I knew an Andy MacNamara.
Good luck.

George

[Adobe Machine]

Damn, no "Easy Buttons " in Life ?

Adobe (old as dirt)

[leeputman]

OK, OK, I'll read the manuals. They are only a stack of paper about 8" thick. There is just not enough time in the day. I am in school also trying to make myself more valuable.

I did get the machine to run today. I did not change a thing, just started, homed, loaded, fumbeled around and the program ran. No more backwards signs. HOWEVER, the program will not end. I hang on the final line and the spindel will not shut off. My final line is line 50 (just for reference) and reads N50 M5 M2 my question is: since the controler reads the line backwards, it it ending the program prior to shutting off the spindle? I was going to split the line into two lines and see if that works. ALso, any ideas how to get out of a program that hangs without having to power down? Thanks, it is all coming together.

Any idea where my pictures went to? I loaded them a few days ago. Machinetek said he would like to know the drives and motors. All Fanuc.

[machintek]

I know that multiple G codes are allowed on one line, but I think only one M code per line is legal.
Try and seperate the M5 and add a line with the M02.

George