Bridgeport Torq-Cut TC 3G??

[Kristjan]

I am about to purchase the TC 3G, but I have some principal questions regarding these series.

What is the difference between:
1. Torq-Cut TC 3G
2. Torq-Cut TC 2G
3. Torq-Cut TC 22
There is not much info on the net about the 3G and I wonder is it still supported with spares and why is the TC 22 so much more common.

The VMC I'm talking about is a 98 year model and comes with the standard Heidenhain control, it is in a good full working condition.

If this has been discussed before, please give me a link to the thread as I did not find any meaningful info about the TC 3G

Once again... what is the main difference between TC 3G and TC 22???

This is the picture of the machine:

[machintek]

TC22 (Torque Cut 22) had a Dx32 PC based control. Had DC servo motors, and a Yaskawa spindle drive.
Had a assortment of spindle speeds, some had a 2 speed gearbox, some did not.
Brideport sold a lot of these.

These were replaced by the TC 2, 3, and 4 (for longer travels)
TC3 G, has a geared head. Never saw one with the Heidenhain control but the ones I installed had Yaskawa AC drives and spindle motor. The ones I installed had a DX32 control considered a CIB (control in a box) PC based control.
Support is there for Heidenhain and Yaskawa. Gearbox make by gear technique in the 608 area code.
Only installed a handful.

George

[Kristjan]

Here are some closeups.

Is $10k acceptable for this machine regarding its age, components etc.

[machintek]

Be aware that in the first picture the black box with the pump in the center is what sits behind the machine and is the coolant tank. I also see a spindle chiller that matches the color of the machine. Never had one sold with a TC. The augurs in a later picture belong to the machine behind it. To me this is a one of a kind machine. Make sure it runs, you have all the manuals (including schematics), and back up the control parameters ASAP.
IMHO it is worth the money if everything is in good shape.
I just received a call for support on a 1981 Interact 412. So there may be a lot of life left in this one.

George

[Kristjan]

Spindle chiller is not with this machine, it might belong to the machine behind it.

In the control box there are 3 servo controllers and then an empty slot beside them to the right. Does this mean that a 4th axis can be installed? You can even see the screw holes so it must be it. Or not?

Is there an updated control available for this machine that is a direct fit?

And what exactly do you mean by saying that this is a one of a kind machine? Have you not seen these before... this means that these are rare... which itself is not a very good thing.

[machintek]

I am in the US. It may be that this machine was never imported here. So to me it is one of a kind.
Yes, I have installed a 4th axis as a kit from Bridgeport on a TC3 machine. But on a DX32 control. It included the drive, cables, plugs, the 4th axis with proper motor and encoder, and the Parameters. And the drive does fit in that empty spot.

George

[jorber]

I am in the US. It may be that this machine was never imported here. So to me it is one of a kind. George

I am having a problem with a TC3G with the X axis, first the driver had problems and I replaced, after install the driver the X axis is unable to get home, I checked the home switch and is working, I even swaped the driver with Y axis drive and the problem changed to Y, I get always the same alarm "X axis run away" the machine is the same as the pictures in the post, the panel is a bit different, but in the back look the same, thanks in advance.

Jorge

[machintek]

There is a hidden parameter in the drive that must be changed with regard to the marker pulse width used for homing in conjunction with the switch. To do so requires a hand held device that plugs into the drive and a service bulletin on how to set it and what to make it. I would have to do a lot of digging to find it.
Who did you buy the drive from? Can they help you with this?

George

[jorber]

There is a hidden parameter in the drive that must be changed with regard to the marker pulse width used for homing in conjunction with the switch. To do so requires a hand held device that plugs into the drive and a service bulletin on how to set it and what to make it. I would have to do a lot of digging to find it.
Who did you buy the drive from? Can they help you with this?

George

I have the hand held and the driver manual where there are all the parameters, when you said Hidden is because is not in the manual?
I have compared all the params with Y and I could find any difference

Jorge

[machintek]

Yes hidden, It requires a lot of arrow up, down and sideways to display. And as I said has something to do with the marker pulse width for homing.

George

[jorber]

I was checking all the possible parameters and think this could be the one.
What do you think?

[jorber]

Yaskawa CACR-SR - CNCzone.com-The Largest Machinist Community on the net!

i was close.
it's
depress hold jog and keep it depressed
bb, base block
down arrow three times
up arrow two times
data enter two times
param
that unlocks param cn6a
on our ez-path II the setting they changed was 842A, they changed it to
840A, it has an SGDB-O5AD drive.
all of the "user accesable" parameters they changed back to the
original setting.

that little hidden setting really peed me off, now if it has a yaskawa
drive in it, they can keep it.

I think this is what you were talking about!