Bridgeport series I mill using dynomotion controller

[krz2_2000]

I'm really new the milling area but I have a Series I CNC R2E3 and want to put in a dynomotion controller. I have no idea even where to start. Has anyone attempted this before or can give me any kind of advice? I'm not sure if I can but I want to try to keep the same motors and just drive them with the Dynomotion. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Hello Krz,
Does your control work now? If it works at least you will know if the motors & drives are good or not, Does yours use NC400 servo drives? If so these take an analog signal.

I have 2, series 2 r2e3's. I have been looking in to replacing the boss controls. Many people use Galil cards. Have you purchased the dynomotion card yet? I know someone on the zone was talking about these a while ago.

How much do you know about wiring,electronics? The retrofitting is not that hard if you have wiring diagrams for your machine. R2e3 should be boss8 control, at least mine are.
Cutmore

[krz2_2000]

Yeah everything works right now. everything is in good shape. I did already purchase the dynomotion card. I'm pretty familiar with wiring and electronics, just not on a mill. I do have all of the schematics for the machine. I just wasn't sure how hard it was gonna be and what all needs done. Not a step by step but just generally. Unless you know step by step and have the time. LOL. any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Hello,
Here's a best guess at the conversion process,
I would try to get the dynomotion board and software set-up and running 1st before disconnecting anything.If you have a spare servo drive use that to get the control working, if you do not have a spare drive you may want to get 1 any ways.This will tell you if you can use your drives or not.
1. read the wiring diagrams you have for your mill, and figure out which wire goes to which part.
2.Strip out the old stuff you will not use,The things you will keep would be, servo drives (hopefully), the limit switches, the contactor for the spindle motor. Maybe the power supply for the servo drives if you have 3 phase available, otherwise you will need a power supply for the right voltage.
E-stop switch.
3.Start connecting wires.
4. Test & tune the set-up.
5......?
What type of servo drives does yours have?
Are you going to use Mach to control the mill or something else?
Cutmore

[krz2_2000]

I think the servos are NC414s. It's gonna be to control the mill. I was hoping to use the original pre-amps for the servos and just drive them with this dynomotion card.

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Sounds like we are going down the same path,
I am planning on using Mach3 with a Galil card connected to my servo amps to control my mill. My amps are marked NC400 but in the literature I did read NC414 somewhere.
I have the CMC manuals for the amps, If you need any info let me know.
I hope to save the drives and servo's too.
My Servo's are SEM motors with Heidenhain encoders.
Why do you want to convert your Boss control?
Cutmore

[krz2_2000]

I'm actually doing it for the company I work for. I just started here a few weeks ago and they asked me to do it starting on Monday. I'm hoping going through this will help me learn how to use the equipment also. I'm sure it will. I'm not really sure why they want to change it. I think it's because of accuracy and to be able to do more complicated designs. I really appreciate the info you've given me and I will have more questions I'm sure.

I have another question about the Axis motion wheel on the front control panel. How can I control this? If you know anything about it I appreciate it.

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I know mach can use a MPG(encoder) for jogging, Have you checked the mach website? There are videos for a bunch of things to do with setting mach up.
I am not sure you can get more accuracy from the mill by changing the control as the minimum move now is .0001". I have run 3d contouring files on mine by dripfeeding the controller.
But if they want to pay you for this kind of fun, then more power to you!
Cutmore

[krz2_2000]

I'll check that out. Thanks for all of your help. I may post something else if I run into problems. It's nice to know there are people like you out there. I'm sure this is going to be a fun project. I don't mind getting paid for this stuff.

[DennisCNC]

Any updates on this?

[krz2_2000]

We got it working completely. Everything seems to work fine. Sorry I forgot to update. We had to build some of our own electronics to interface with the bridgeport but it was very easy. If you have any specific questions I'd be happy to answer them. But overall I think this was a great investment. We can mill any 3 axis part we need to now.

[DennisCNC]

You have it running with the old dc servo drives? Are you using Mach3 or their Gcode program? Do you have spindle speed control?

Thanks