Mach 3 control on Bridgeport Series 2 Interact 2 CNC

[PeeBee]

I have a Bridgeport Series 2 CNC with Heidenhain Heidenhain TNC151 Control.
I'm missing some parts to compete the control on it, so I figured It would be better to change the whole thing to Mach 3, or simular control.

My question is, what kind of servomotor drivers can I use for my servos? They have 3.2nm holding torque. (Will get all the specs on them)

Have seen some bridgeports retrofitted with 850oz/in Nema 34 and geckodrives.
Do I need to change my motors to use geckos?

Would really like to keep my powerfull motors.

Thanks for helping me!

[gus]

are you looking for a project or a machine to make money?

what parts are you missing on the control?

[PeeBee]

I'm missing the keybord, and at least one card, but getting that old control running is really not an option for me. would like to upgrade it so it's more user friendly. The machine will be for production of suspension bits for racecars, in addition to my cnc lathes, so it will make me money..

I have built a 4 axis plasma cutter, used Mach 3 and touch screen monitor, and is so easy to work with, uploading progs, visual etc.

Would like the same features on my mill.

Thanks

[Hood]

It all depends on a few factors, the main one is your budget, also what current/voltage your motors are.
One option may be to go with the normal small DC Drives from Gecko or Rutex or Teknix etc but that will depend on the current/voltage as mentioned above.

Another option would be to get one of the external motion controllers that connect to Mach and can output to your existing analogue drives. This option is more expensive but will give better results in the long run.

Another option would be to upgrade motors and drives to AC Servos, that is the route I take but again can be expensive.

Hood

[PeeBee]

Here's the motor specs:
SEM
Cont stall torque 3.2NM
Max RPM 2500
Volts 145
Pulse amps 32
Tacho 9.5 volts/1000rpm

This may be to heavy for those small servo controllers?

Where can I find info/specs on external motion controllers for analog drives?

The budget is not a big deal, I'll pay what's needed to get a good machine.

What's the benefit of changing to AC servos and drives?

Thank you

[Hood]

Here's the motor specs:
SEM
Cont stall torque 3.2NM
Max RPM 2500
Volts 145
Pulse amps 32
Tacho 9.5 volts/1000rpm

This may be to heavy for those small servo controllers?

Yes, afraid so, you could probably use them but it would be derated and certainly not something I woulnt consider.

Where can I find info/specs on external motion controllers for analog drives?
The budget is not a big deal, I'll pay what's needed to get a good machine.

http://www.vitalsystem.com/

http://dynomotion.com/

are a couple.

What's the benefit of changing to AC servos and drives?
Thank you

Benefit to me is you are using modern drives instead of the 20 yr old hardware and can take step/dir directly. They also often have loads of I/O that can be useful such as index homing etc. Having said that, the old analogue drives are usually bullet proof as well.

Hood

[PeeBee]

Here's my motors:
http://www.sem.co.uk/files/brochure/MT30R4.pdf

Can't I use this with no problems:
http://www.rutex.com/us/index.php?productID=124

Or am I better off with my excisting drives and analog motion control?

Thanks

[Hood]

I have heard good and bad, in equal measures, about Rutex with the bigger motors but as I have never used them I cant pass judgement one way or the other.
Rutex also do a Step/Dir to Analogue converter which could be an option for you but again I have no experience of them and cant recall ever seeing anyone that has used them.

Personally I would either keep the drives or go with AC but as said before that is not the cheapest of the options.
Hood

[TOTALLYRC]

Here's my motors:
http://www.sem.co.uk/files/brochure/MT30R4.pdf

Can't I use this with no problems:
http://www.rutex.com/us/index.php?productID=124

Or am I better off with my excisting drives and analog motion control?

Thanks

Hi Peebee,
I really like the dspmc/ip with the analog servo amps. I think that one of the reasons it has been stable for me once ia got it up and runninh is the 24v I/O. It is less likely to pickup stray signal like 5v I/O, which id why a lot of industrial stuff goes 24v.
I am using the Copley amps that came with my machine but you can find a lot of them such as Amc, Copley, and others on ebay for a lot less than new.
I am stocking up on several spares just in case.

I found a great buy on similar SEM motors on ebay and I like the way they run, they barely get warm. I however have not yet run them in a 8 hr program like some guys around here do.

If you already have existing servo amps that take analog input, then I would seriously consider the dspmc/ip.

Feel free to ask any questions,

Mike

See my build log here

BTC-1 retro fit using DSPMC/IP controller.

[Hood]

PeeBee
You may be interested in the latest drive that Simpson, on the Mach forum, has been testing out. Looks like it may be perfect for retrofitting to the normal 80's knee mill candidates.
Heres a link http://www.machsupport.com/forum/ind...c,12233.0.html

Hood

[PeeBee]

Have been looking at different solutions, and I think I'll go for the Dynomotion KFlop and Kanalog. http://dynomotion.com/Kanalog.html

Seemes like a very well built controller with lots of functions. Please correct be if I'm wrong.

I will also change my spindle motor setup from 2hp "variomatic" to 10hp 1:3 gear and frequency drive.

My machine's got Bosch servo drives, is that what the machine came with when new?

Will do a build thread once I get going.

Thank you for all help!

[Hood]

Not really heard much about the Dynomotion from users but that can only be a good thing I would imagine.

Hood