Porter Built Model 636

[bhoff]

This is my first CNC tool.

I have this machine here at the shop. We want to use it to cut acrylic parts. I know it works well because i saw it being used in production at the factory we purchased it at.

I want to use this as soon as possible. I can get a rotary converter and run it that way but....... I was wondering if I could completely gut the 1978 Controller(run it with a PC), rewire it single phase and just use a converter to run the spindle.

If any of you can give me some suggestions or point me in the right direction as to updating the controller I would greatly appreciate it. I am having trouble finding any info on this machine and controller but I will continue reading and hopefully be cutting parts without my manual router soon.

Thanks

Ben

[cabnet636]

wow what a fun project! i have no experience with this but would love to keep up with your progress, there is a lot of BIG iron on the market

call joey at 706 602 2500 he may be able to send you to the right fellows

jim

[bhoff]

Well.... I have decided to build a new controller and retire the Fanuc. I purchased 3 Gecko 320 servo drivers, a breakout board from Campbell, and have a power supply on the way.

The control box that is replacing the Fanuc is a box that came off a M&W Grain Dryer. It is big enough to fit all the components, heavy gauge steel, and it was free! There are plenty of holes already punched in this box. The only big holes that I need to drill is for the EPO and the new cabinet door lock. I will make a couple acrylic grilles for the square holes and mount intake fans behind them.


I hope to have it assembled and testing this weekend. I will document my progress.

If anyone has any comments or suggestions let me know.

[bhoff]

Powered up.....just waiting on one component for the return dump circuit and Ill hang the sink for the drives. Then Ill figure out how Im going to mount the motherboard and the BOB.

[bhoff]

Most of it is in. I still need to attach the return dump board under the drives but I dont have my diodes yet....uuugh

[bhoff]

I got it running over the weekend. I should have my spindle mount done today. Since I had to wait I attached a pen to Z and decided to draw with it. I am running EMC2 and doing my drawing with TurboCad. Since all my parts so far can be 2D drawings I can use the dxf2gode for conversion.

Im probably going to give it a paint job in the near future.

[bhoff]

I got it up and running. It took a few days to to get it figured out but I am already grateful the work it is doing for me.

I would like to thank everyone for the information on this site. It was very helpful getting me started.

[cabnet636]

excellent!!

jim