10 X 54 Retrofit Phase I

[BAYWATCH-TIM]

This is my first post to this forum. I also hope that there will be many to follow. To begin with a breif explanantion of who I am, and what I hope to be doing in the near future. My name is Tim Barry, I am the sole owner/operator of a small manufactuering business. I build sportfishing towers for boats. Not to advertise or anything, but you can see what type of work I do by going to the following link http://www.baywachtowers.com . I have been building these structures for 17 years now. Over the years I have had little need for custom machining, but about six years ago I purchased a lathe (NOVA 14 x40) for the shop. I have used it quite a bit with success in adding that custom touch to my products, also very pleasing to the end users. After that I purchased a small Knee mill (Grizzly 10 x 32 belt drive). This also greatly improved my end products. But, I am now ready for a CNC. Phase I of my plans are to purchase a (Grizzly 10 x 54 VS) around the end of this year. I do plan on purchasing with DRO. I realize that this mill may not be the best out there, but I don't have to hold extreme tolorances for what I do. Although I do wish to purchase as much as my budget allows. Phase II is where I need help from this forum. I do have a desire to retrofit this myself, but I am not as knowledgeable as I should be right now. I am familar with all the basics, but for example which would be the best servo motor to use? What should the torque rating be? It is the little details that I don't know. I do plan on using Mach software, purchasing a dedicated computer, I am also very please with my research on Rockford Ball Screw. It is the electrical details that I would consider my weak point. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Once I collect all of the parts needed I do plan on keeping this thread going with the phase progress. Thanks againg to anyone who can help.

[BAYWATCH-TIM]

Well I spent a pretty fair amount of time over the weekend watching the on-line videos for the MACH software that I plan to use for my conversion. Their presentation of the video seemed to pretty well put together. I think this will help greatly when I get to the phase of actually using it. I do plan on purchasing with in the next couple of weeks, that way I get a little bit familiar with everything before actually hooking it up. I think this week I will dedicate some time to figuring out which motors (brand & size) work best for my application. All questions and comments will be considered though out my progress.

[BAYWATCH-TIM]

Just got off the phone a little while ago with Teknic. They were very helpful with information. They referred me to a web site ( http://wincnc.net ) , they mentioned that this company could help me with just about everything I need for the retrofit project, motors, drivers, power supply, etc. I plan on contacting them with in the next couple of days. I will update again once I have spoken with someone. Seems like I am finally starting to make sure movement in the right direction.

[balsaman]

Post a few pictures of the mill if you can.

Eric

[BAYWATCH-TIM]

I haven't purchased the mill yet. Plan on ordering at the end of November. I will be purchasing from Grizzly. This is my first try at a retrofit. I am trying to do all the fact finding work right now. Deciding on what motors, and drivers, etc. to use for the conversion. This is the mill that I plan on getting.

[BAYWATCH-TIM]

A couple of the areas that I have already decided on are as follows.
(01) 3 axis cnc conversion
(02) Power draw bar
(03) Misting system with dual outlets (Koolmist)
(04) Spindle speed control will stay manual for now
(05) Programable on/off coolant

Everything else is still in the research phase

[balsaman]

Here is the log of a conversion I did:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7180

A little different but alot of the info will be helpful. Same motors/electronics would work.

You need to decide if you will cnc the knee or quill for the z axis. I might go quill which is easier but that limits you to 5".

E

[BAYWATCH-TIM]

Balsaman,

Just finished reading all the post on your conversion. I think I did pick up some good information. Thanks for the link.


I spoke with Microsystems (http://wincnc.net) today. They had some pretty good information. I am starting to lean towards them for the majority of my parts. They can supply me with motors, drivers, power supply. I don't mind paying a little bit more for the parts, as long as they are willing to help if I run into an issue. I am also leaning towards Teknic motors. Does anyone know of any concerns I should have with this brand of motors. As I said before, this is like going to school for me. All new area for me, but I am really excited about doing it.

I do plan on using the quill instead of knee for the z axis. I think the knee would definately more diffucult than the quill.

[BAYWATCH-TIM]

A couple of questions for those who are watching my post, and may have done this before.

(01) I will be needing to get a phase converter for the machine I intend on purchasing. Is it possible to get good results from a static converter, or should I go ahead an get a rotary converter.

(02) Is it nessicary to have a voltage stabilizer?

(03) I was planning on purchasing my ballscrews by length, and then machining them myself, or would I be better off having them premachined before they are shipped. That is once I figure out exactly the layout that I need?

[Adobe Machine]

Get a VFD ( Variable Frequency Drive )boy did I clopper that spelling..Anyway, the VFD is a much better way to drive the 3 phase spindle motor on your mill...the conversion electronics are going to be 110 volt any way, so just use a seperate 110 volt plug. Most VFDs come with a small , seperate control you can program, that will give you velocity, speed ( by Hz)
foward-reverse ,ect..in fact, mine had 43 perimeters you can program, and when I get smart( ha ) my CNC program can control the spindle speed, braking, f-r everything.
Most VFD manufactures offer programable VFD's that convert 220 V single ph, to 220 Volt 3 ph for 2 hp motors for less than $300.00.. They are about as big as a 2lb coffee can ( only square), produce very little heat, and my wife says we use a lot less in electricity after conversion (?)..Shop the web, there are a lot of legitimate suppliers for VFD, and some are actually made in the USA.

Adobe (old as dirt)

[BAYWATCH-TIM]

Adobe Machine,

Thanks for the information, I will start doing some researching here in a few minutes. Will post if I have anymore questions. Also, I have started reading your post on the lathe conversion. After I get the Knee mill completed, I will be doing the same to my lathe (NOVA 14 x 40)

[BAYWATCH-TIM]

Adobe Machine,

I started doing some checking on VFD's today. Seems that you were 100% correct on your suggestion. A friend of mine is a electrical engineer, I spoke with him today also. He explain a little bit more hands on information about exactly how they work. Looks like I will be definately going that route for the phase conversion. All I have to do now is determine which brand I will go with. Thanks again for the suggestion.