E-Z Trak w/ BPC-2M CNC Control

[l u k e]

I'm looking at purchasing a 1999 3 axis CNC Series 1 VM with the BPC-2M control. Can anyone give me any insight into this control?

This would be my first cnc mill, is it a reliable control or would I need to look into a upgrade?

Any in put would be greatly appreciated.

[l u k e]

Searched the net for several hours and can't find anything on the control, good, bad or otherwise..

[Gncc50]

Does the machine that you are referring to look similar to this one??

I think it is a great little machine. The best thing about it is the control. It is very easy to learn and use. This one should have the newer software and if it doesn't you can get the update from EMI. It has it's conversational format that saves files in the .pgm format and it will also run standard g code in the .txt format. It will remember tool lengths so that you can make tool changes as long as they are in solid holders. It has work shifts. Mirror, copy, engraving etc. It of course won't do rigid tapping and the control is not blazing fast. I think it is a great machine for what it was designed for, a small Tool Room CNC. You can also run it manually. It will do 3D work. Many have said that it won't. It will handle programs loaded from a floppy up to 256K after that you can drip feed from the floppy or the hard drive. I have run programs programs over 1.2 meg. We have two of these where I work and I have one of my own in my small shop. We have had very little problems with them over the years.

Maybe I am going a little overboard here. This is certainly no high speed machining center. These machines and controls are also no longer made. You can still get parts from EMI and a couple of other places.

The pictures of the aluminum part are a program that I ran that was over 40,000 lines. It was one half of a sword handle that was a school project for my Son. Certainly not fast but it can be done.

[l u k e]

Yes, I believe so, except the mill I am looking at does not have a power draw bar.

[l u k e]

LOL, are the the guy I was talking to yesterday via emails?

[Gncc50]

Nope, It wasn't me.

Let me know if you decide to buy it. If you need it. I can help you learn the control. Pretty easy but sometimes it helps to talk to someone.

[l u k e]

This one should have the newer software and if it doesn't you can get the update from EMI.

How much would you guess the update would cost?

Maybe I am going a little overboard here. This is certainly no high speed machining center. These machines and controls are also no longer made. You can still get parts from EMI and a couple of other places.

Do you have a web address to EMI?

The pictures of the aluminum part are a program that I ran that was over 40,000 lines. It was one half of a sword handle that was a school project for my Son. Certainly not fast but it can be done.

About how long did it take to machine the one half?

[l u k e]

Rigid tap for knee mills>

http://www.elrodmachine.com/Rigid%20...%20Adapter.htm

[Gncc50]

You can get some parts from Hardinge in Elmira New York.

EMI = http://emi-inc.net

another source http://www.bptparts.com

I can't remember how long it took me to run that part it was several years ago.

If you want pm me and I can give you my phone number.

[l u k e]

This is some of the stuff I make on my manual mill, how well suited do you suppose the BPC-2M would handle small runs 30-50 parts. I know its not a production mill, but I'm currently cranking handles.

All parts are 6061 aluminum.



I make the grips not the frame>


Part is about 2x3 inches,


Part is about 2x3 inches,


Just the grips>


These are plastic, I machined the molds and poured them>

[Gncc50]

I don't think it will work on the EZtrak. The control doesn't support ridgid taping.
Below is from the Elrod site


No more reversing or floating heads!

Use a drill chuck or collet chuck to hold your tap.
Use the same holder for center drill, tap drill and tap!
Minimizes tool length setup because you can use a collet.
Rigid tapping cycle is the same as a machining center.
Tap from 2-56 through ? (Depends on your machines capabilities)
Your controller must have a rigid tapping cycle we currently know Centroid, Fagor and Anilam offer this option.
Install our unit and plug the encoder into the controls specific feedback port to start your rigid tapping!
Yes, You can still use your power draw bar!

[l u k e]

Yea, I wasn't really thinking about that upgrade with this control, just that advancements have been made for taping on a knee mill.