Boxford 160.

[acollins22]

Hi Folks,

I've just come by a Boxford 160 CNC lathe :-) Sadly just the lathe and not the accompanying micro to run it but it's a start.

I know these were (are?) still used in UK schools and colleges and I'm sure we have a few teachers and lecturers here.

If any of you have experience of this lathe I'd be greatful of a little help, starting with "Do you run it backwards?" It looks to me like the tool post is rigged such that you have to spin it in reverse to present the correct tool face to the work piece.

Any help gratefully received.



Thanks.


Andy

[mfrank7143]

Hi,

Yes the spindle runs in reverse for turning, then you need to reverese the direction to do any drilling! I keep meaning to try mine with the tools inverted, as is usal with a lot of full size rear turret machines but iam not sure that the machine will be very rigid wit hte load directions inverted.

Mike

[acollins22]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for that. I looked at the photo on the promo material and at a high zoom you can see it just as you described.

My first thought was that the previous owner had put the tools in upside down but on closer inspection I couldn't see how you could fit them in any other way without modifying things.

On a different note, how is your controlled? BBC, orginal PC or retro fit?



Cheers.

Andy.

[mfrank7143]

Hi,

Unfortuantly mine was converted to run using "conect Cnc" software but it works ok if you dont mind not having tool comp and a spindle reverese! The last thing is a problem if you want to drill any holes!

Mike

[hampolemike]

Hello all.

I have a converted Boxford 240TCL running on Mach3 and although it came with a front and rear tool post I only use the rear toolpost and have removed the front one completely. I run the lathe spindle clockwise as normal but have all the tools mounted upside down. Although this seems bizzare it works perfectly and removes the need to reverse the lathe when running drill etc and all the swarf drops freely away from the cutting tip.

There does not seem to be any problem with cutting forces and the work remains in easy access for measuring and loading. Seems the optimum setup for me!

[bbrreid]

You could use left handed drills as used on some Auto's

[skippysmt]

did you ever get anywhere with the software.
i have a 160 run on the pc with version 4.31 but it does not have any homing switches does any one have a 160 running homing switch and a newer version of software. could you help me the control board can have them fitted but i need to know
1 pin outs
2 newer software version
3 get a copy of the 4 eprom on the board
i have a copier to do this.
boxford will not help you at all.
they will not support you unless you are a school
if any one whats the software to run a non homing machin i will give them the software to run it plus the linice to run it up and hopefully some one will help me
thanks adrian lockrey

[x3UK]

Did you every get the pinout and other details for the 160?
Regards Peter

[acollins22]

Yes, I have made some progress.

My lathe has two main boards mounted on to the read door. The bottom one holds the micro processor and the top is a driver board. I found I was able to disconnect the X and Z clock and direction pins between the two boards, they are marked, and drop them onto my PCs parallel port (I'd checked they were 5v but this still may be a bad idea). This way I had control of X and Z. The lathe still had the motor.

I found though that the microprocessor uses some trick to get control of the tool changer using the X drive plus another, unidentified, pin so my mod stopped the tool changer working.

I re-connected the two boards as normal.

I then found the datasheets on the stepper motor drivers and found that they just want clock and direction as you'd expect so I broke the traces to these pins on the driver board and ran them to the PC (again this may be a bad idea). This has been working fine for the last few months.

It's not a full conversion, I get X and Z and the lathe gets motor and tool change but it's still useful. I may take it further when time allows but for the time being I'm happy with it.


All the best.

Andy.

[x3UK]

Andy,
I am still thinking, before cutting tracks. Mine is a later 160, just the serial connection, I have software, but no key. From other threads, sounds like there is a boot loader file that has to be loaded to the controller before download of files. Know the hardware connection should be null modem cable, 9200 bps, 8 bit, 1 stop, no parity. Also have copy of Denford VR turn that I am told will work it.
Had a discussion with guys at Hawk Design who have a driver for most of Boxford machines. Need to get to see them again. Seems pity to carve up a working machine. Don't think Boxford realise the large 2nd user potential market for these machines.

Peter

[cjmerlincnc]

Hi, I have a fully working TCL 160 with original software (ver 6, their last for this machine) and belive me, If I had the time I would convert to Mach3, when it starts going wrong I will do. For a start it will only work in Win 95/98 loaded although the program runs in a dos mode which means you cannot do anything else (calculator for instance). The tool page is limited and by today's standards it's pants.

Do your self a favour and buy a breakout board for paralell port and connect the step and direction pins from the boards you mentioned above. If your toolchanger dosn't have it's own driver, get one and connect to the breakout board and then go to the Mach3 forum and do a search for toolchanger macro's, I've posted one and so have others.
I'll be glad to help with sorting a macro for it.

I'm using Mach3 on a Denford Orac and now the TCL is gathering dust cos I can setup and run the Orac Quicker that my old win98 laptop boots up.

Hope this helps.

[bbrreid]

is the 160 about the same size as the older ACL photos here
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...t=38006&page=2