Is this mill viable for CNC conversion?

[keebler303]

Originally Posted by cjjonesarmory Not sure if you covered this question, but why didn't the current owner use it after the rebuild? Just struck me as odd....

Probably realized he didn't need it after not missing it while being rebuilt.

Lots of people toss old equipment, especially NC/CNC because they start having problems and you have more headaches than its worth. This can be a good opportunity for hobbyists to pick up some good iron and tinker around with the electronics to get it working. I don't know what the price on it is, but its probably worth completely replacing the electronics if the iron is still good.

Matt

[veteq]

Yeah, If the iron is good and the ballscrews turn nice.
Through all the old electronics away and buy 3 steppers with drives and powersupply and mach with a breakoutboard.

Then you have a modern machine that will last for years.

Total investment of all parts is i think around 750 euro.

[Al_The_Man]

I would hesitate before eliminating the present drives, if they have been operating the machine so far, they may still function for you. If you find they are not up to the task, they can always be replaced later. They could well be matching Superior Electric Drives for that era.
They are going to be step direction input I suspect, if so the most it may require is some input conditioning, (driver for opto input for e.g.)
Like I mentioned before, documentation is very valuable on a used machine, including the mechanical prints.
If it has all the mechanics refitted there should not be alot to getting it going.
Al.