My BP
Thanks!
Hi everyone, I recently purchased a BP series I w/ the old tape drive and a computer system loaded with the EZ-CAM version 6 software. Unfortunately the mill didn't come w/ any manuals or documentation regarding the ezcam software. I'm self taught in solidworks so hopefully I can figure out this ezcam software. Should I upgrade to a newer version? Will a newer version run my mill w/o any significant hardware upgrades? Can anyone point me in the right direction on how to get started using the version 6 software? Thanks.
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My BP
Thanks!
Nothing huh?
It is possible to send a file to your Bridgeport via RS232 through EZ-CAM. Contact them at ezCam Web Site
Yeah, I contacted them. They just want to sell me V19. I was hoping to get a little assistance from anyone on here running a similar setup.
the transfer side of ez-cam is called ez-utilitys, i cut my teeth on version 6 which we brought back in 1994 from bridgeport with a new interact machine.
from memory it ran under windows 3.11.
i may still have the old manuals at work i will have a look ( they may have ended up in the bin) i am currently running version 16 myself which is a far more advanced program than the old version 6 i learnt on.
i will have a look for the manuals and let you know
regards
mark
That's exactly what I have. Windows 3.11 and all. I would be eternally grateful if you did have access to the manuals. I wouldn't mind upgrading to a newer version I just don't know if it will work w/ my BOSS 5 controllers and step motors. I may just switch everything over to the hillbilly BOB and MACH 3. Ultimately I want to be able to import cad files from solidworks to the bridgeport's cnc software.
Thanks for your help
right i have found 2 manuals. 1 is for the ezcam 2d version 6 and includes the utilitiys software instructions and includes cable wiring etc and the different instructions for the different controllers and among them is the boss 5 controller. the second manual is for the ez-cam 3d.
if you let me have your email i could scan in the pages with regards to the boss 5 and email them from home to you.
you are welcome to the complete manuals if you wish but they weigh about 4kg and i am in the uk so postage might be an issue.
regards
mark
That would be most appreciated. My email is jaredford@hotmail.com.
Thank you so much Mark.
have just sent you an email with boss 5 pages attached.
regards
mark
I'd recommend that you not only hang on to V6.2.1 but it is the handiest version BP ever produced and you take the time to learn how to use it!! Seriously I can think of no less then 6 other shops in my area besides myself that still use it as our daily software of choice for all the simple day to day programming. It's fast (once you have a handle on it) with my typical programming time averaging less then 15 minutes per program. Same with everybody else that knows what they're doing with it. I did purchase newer versions but they sit in the box. For top ended programming 3d demands I use much more expensive software. If you send me a pm I'll see what I can do to help understand and run with 6.2.1
Cool software!! I definitely give 6.2.1 a big thumbs up! I can only think of a few software programming packages has stood the test of time like this 1 & I can count them on 1 hand.
You should definitely check out the videos on EZ-CAM's website, their 3D has become more powerful and easier to use.
I need the manual for Boss 5,
me mail, lalo76dm@hotmail.com
I have used version 6.2.1 since we upgraded from an earlier version. I still use it on a daily basis. I think I know all of its strengths, weaknesses, nuances and foibles. I have learnned a lot of ways to get around its' limitations. We started out with about version 3 or so. It was so long ago, I don't remember. We never used anything else. The school for the programming software was conducted by the local dealer in Rochester, NY, now out of business, and it lasted 5 days. I tried MasterCam, but it was too much for what we needed. I have only had a handful of parts in over 20 years that needed anything more sophisticated than V6. I run it on almost any computer. It is a bit of a memory hog, but
I basically have a computer dedicated to it. It will run on any version of Windows from 3 to XP, maybe higher. The correct name for the communication utility is EZ-utls.exe, and it is usually found or placed in the uppermost directory of EZ-Cam. If you haven't already set it up, I can provide the settings that I use for my Boss 5 and Boss 6 B'ports. I can explain how to make an interface cable or I have a spare one I would sell you if you don't want to make one. You also need to make a couple settings on the CNC if your machine is anything like mine. One thing to keep in mind is that you have 1980's technology, so lightning uploads/downloads are not possible. The optimum upload/download speed between computer and machine is 2400 baud. Any faster and you will probably get errors. Also, your programs need to be absolutely clean (no man-readable text, no letter "O", no semi-colons, like in a lot of other programs, etc.) and as compact as possible (due to early machines' memory limitations). If you have an old machine on a par with a B5 or B6, you should study how to do macros, repeats and zero shifts. They are al important ways to keep programs short. I can also explain a lot about that if you'd like. If you haven't figured out the interface and/or have other problems with either EZ-CAM or upload/download details, send me your question to my private e-mail, lawlessman1@hotmail.com
I also have a complete manual for Version 6.
Fred Howe
R Manufacturing Company - Lawless Drives
Owego, NY
607-687-0143