EMCO PC Mill 50

[avayan]

Hi Group,

I was lucky enough to get me a rather old but still "working" EMCO PC Mill 50 CNC machine. I say "working" because it is missing one of the modules (I believe) and of course I have no PC and no software whatsoever. So I thought about retrofitting it with my own electronics, but the motors are 5 phase steppers for which I have nothing.

Hence there are two options:

1. Try to find all the missing components (hardware or software)

or

2. Retrofit the machine with new steppers and new drivers.

Which one do you think will end up being easier? Is any documentation out there on this equipment? I can not find much and I already searched this forum. Thanks for any help you may provide!

[kmckenn]

Call EMCO (Columbus Ohio) and check on pricing of the required ISA PC Interface board for the 50 (I've heard the 50 and 55 cards are actually different). They are pricey ($600-$800??). If/once you have/get that (or not), you'd need the emulation software running on a Win98 PC. THAT is what it takes to run an EMCO "PC Mill" anything, besides the mill itself.

After that is taken into consideration, then you have a good idea what you are weighing it against in whatever conversion you might plan.

I have a PC Mill-55 and PC Turn-55, interface cards for each and software, so I can be some help/guidance in that regard.

Hope the information helps

Kevin