Vanguard3000 open source

[47MLB]

I have a vanguard engraver with two different controllers. Does any one have any open source software that will work with the EP controller. The one that came with it doesnt work. I think it is close to a thousand dollars in softawre to get it working properly. from New hermes Or I can sell it to someone who has one and I can build another Hobby cnc type machine?
Clint

[jim3897]

Hi,

I just saw your post today and was wondering if you made any progress with the 3000 engraver or if you sold it. I would be interested in it.

Thanks,

Jim

[radcnc]

I too own one of these New Hermes Vanguard 3000 Engraver, with the old computer controler. I have heard about the EP Control Module, but have not seen one in person. If you find a fix for this unit I would sure like to hear about it. Want to share notes? Send me an email at radd@oregonfast.net
RADCNC

[47MLB]

Originally Posted by 47MLB I have a vanguard engraver with two different controllers. Does any one have any open source software that will work with the EP controller. The one that came with it doesnt work. I think it is close to a thousand dollars in softawre to get it working properly. from New hermes Or I can sell it to someone who has one and I can build another Hobby cnc type machine? Clint

Thanks all for the input I have sold the machine.
Clint

[punk84]

I have a vanguard 4000 (don't know if that is similiar to the 3000) that had a EP controller, until it died. I made a contoller for it using a hobbycnc 4 axis board, and a old linux box running EMC. It is a hundred times more useful now then it was with the EP controller. I will soon purchase the collet chuck for it and will be able to mill small parts. I made a mount for a dremel with a end mill in the chuck. The most difficult part of the new controller set up was figuring out the wiring to the motors.

[ssengsup]

I'm new to all this and I too have the same New Hermes you do. My place of work was going to toss the whole thing because of software issues. I said Ill take it, there has to be something out there to make it useful.
Any tips or pointers on what you did?

[kjvirgie]

I have a V3000 with EP and the thing is perpetually having a crisis of one kind or another. I am very interested in some more specific directions from punk84, who seems to have eliminated the ep at a reasonable price. I have found several companies who profess to be able to do it, but the $3000 or more price tag has kept me from changing their way.

[hkjay]

Hi,
I'm a newbie here but I wanted to say that I aquired a V3000 recently with the EP controller but no software. After reading this and several other posts on the web I and it works much better than the unit did with the EP controller. Thanks to all for the threads!

If I can help others out with this project please contact me:
jcrum at BGchemical dot com.

[aminear]

Hi all,

Just wanted to let anyone interested know there is an easy very low cost fix for the EP controller.

I just removed all the parts except the motor driver card and the power supply. Then connect a ribbon cable to the 20 pin conn. then wire the other end of the ribbon cable to the right terminals on a parallel port connector. You can then plug in you standard pc running Mach3 or others and run this machine directly.

Cost about $5 for the connector.

I spent a couple of days tracing the circuit on the driver card until I was able to figure the wiring out. No need to buy new drivers.

Arnie

[radcnc]

Would you share what you figured out on the wiring, I have a Van. 3000, and it's controller.
I would sure like to know the wire layout. contact me at 541-272-1138 anytime.

[aminear]

do you use the eagle schematic program?

I have what I traced out so far on eagle.

Arnie

aminear (at) bepc (dot) com

[aminear]

Send me an email address and I will send the schematic or picture of the schematic, I can't compress it small enough to post here.

Arnie

aminear @ bepc . com