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Newbie follow up
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Jon Elson
Vlocci wrote:
Several months ago I posted my first message regarding a future conversion EMC is not cad or solid modeling. It is a machine control, equivalent toFrom what I have read over the last few months EMC is the way to go for lowcost CNC conversions. I'm open to this, but let me throw in a few a BOSS control, Allen-Bradley, etc. Do they do what I'm after or isIf your CAD software produces DXF files, you can import this to BobCAD/CAM or a number of other programs to convert into RS-274D commands, alias "G-code". The BOSS controls contain a DEC LSI-11 CPU, and Bridgeport-made power supplies, control panels and stepper drivers. The LSI-11 is pretty hardy, but Bridgeport's astoundingly poor power supply and thermal design can even kill this part. For something as expensive and "high-tech" at that time, it is just amazing how bad a job Bridgeport did on this, to save about $50 per machine! I'm inclined to start anew, as opposed to trying to keep a dyingAfter checking prices on the dwindling supply of spare parts, you will see this is not only the wise decision, but the only one for hobby use. Unless you were an electronics guru and fixed it yourself, you couldn't afford it. Without starting a huge flame war, what is theYes, there are outfits that have suitable parts available at reasonable cost. Brigar Electronics, Mendelson and Marlin Jones often have these in their catalog. Surplus Center sometimes also has larger transformers. For the higher voltage ranges, a "step-down transformer" salvaged from many pieces of industrial equipment can do, when used on 120 V input. These may go over the 80 V limit for the Gecko, however. Hooking up a rectifier and capacitor to this is no big deal. Finally, any suggested reading on the CAM side of things. I've neverTake a look at some of the info on (The site seems to be down just at this moment, but should be back soon.) No, this couldn't be more dead ON topic than anything, so we probably should stay on the list, so the good points get archived. I believe someone has just done a Gecko upgrade, but I think that was a servo machine. We ought to have a complete guide through the process. The Geckos are fairly new, and a couple smaller machines have been done with them. The wiring is actually pretty much the same in any case. I know a few people have successfully upgraded BOSS machines using the existing Bridgeport stepper drivers with EMC. Jon |
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Marty Escarcega
Vincent, I'm going to be doing the same thing. You should review
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the posts in the last 2-3 days. Got lots of great info. My machine: Sounds similar to yours. I had no control to start with. You should try and salvage the power supply out of your controller. Don't think much else is good. Tim will be evaluating a Gecko drive on his series II. I'll be waiting in earnest. The drives seem to be the most expensive part, but Gecko's sure are reasonable and should be more than adequate to drive the steppers. Matt Shaver is a good guy to talk to. He mentioned half phasing the steppers for speedier and better performance. I'm sure I'll have to hit Matt up again for this info when the time comes. Marty On 4 May 2001, at 16:59, Vlocci wrote:
Several months ago I posted my first message regarding a future |
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Vlocci
Several months ago I posted my first message regarding a future conversion
of a series I / II to PC control. Well as luch would have it, I just picked up a used series I, with a long gone Boss controller for a steal. Machine has been sitting for a good 2-3 years as it became to expensive to fix and too much trouble to haul out. Following an afternood of tugging, pushing and general cursing, it now rests in my shop. The spindle wiring I can handle, along with the phase conversion etc, but it is the PC to stepper I'm going to need help on. Here is my dilemna: In case your wondering, My use of this machine will be strictly personal hobby projects, not a production line setting. I'm not after the fastest machine speeds or the quickest part production, and am more than willing to wait the extra few minutes for parts. So here goes: First the software questions: From what I have read over the last few months EMC is the way to go for low cost CNC conversions. I'm open to this, but let me throw in a few hiccups.... I have several high end software packages available at work, including IDEAS and Solidworks (and possible an old version of Pro E) . I'm more than skilled in the CAD side of things, but we have never compiled anything to be run on CNC. All our work stops on the modeling side of things, and is passed off to the next person in the chain. Are these packages a better solution to EMC for a user in my position? Do they do what I'm after or is there an "middle man" program that goes from a IDEAS file to G-code? (for exmaple) I'm ready to pull the manuals off the shelf, but rather save myself the research if I'm barking up the wrong tree. If my current CAD applications are just "too good" (i.e. too complicated) for my pursuits, any suggestions on hobby CAD programs? How about the conversion from CAD file to a ready to run G-code file? Moving onto the Hardware side of the equation: -Again, its a low use series I with stepper motors. Its the control that died (from what I'm told) and the steppers should be fine. What exactly "the control is dead" means is beyond me, so I'm unsure what can be salvaged. I'm inclined to start anew, as opposed to trying to keep a dying beast alive anyway. Without starting a huge flame war, what is the reccomended approach to interfacing what I have to PC. I've seen some glowing reviews of the Gecko drives a while back. Is this a modern approach which will work well? Posting seem to indicate this is also an inexpensive route to take. Additionally, I'm assuming I'm going to need some sort of power supplies for the motors. Are these the type of things someone handy with a soldering iron (but far from an EE) can handle, or is there a reasonable cost alternative? For that matter, what would a "reasonable cost" alternative cost? Anyone document a conversion like this relativly well? (even better, anyone document it online?) I've read most of the links, but most setups go from before to after in just a few pictures. Frankly, I'm still too low on the learning curve. Finally, any suggested reading on the CAM side of things. I've never even seen a line of g-code and have virtually no experience on selecting toolpaths, plunge rates etc. Ran a part or two back in college (i'm a Mech Engr) but that was a few years back and there was a TA who held by hand along the way. Regular machining practices I'm OK with, as I've been turing handwheels for some time, it is the CAM oriented side than is blank right now. Sorry about getting so long winded. I'm sure I will plague you guys with more than a few questions in the coming weeks. If you prefer, I'll gladly take this off list if it is too off topic. Thanks in advance, Vincent _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at |
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Sven Peter, TAD S.A.
Please stay on line, because this is the purpose of this groop. We all want to learn exactly what you need. Best of all luck. Sven Peter |
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AT&T dropped our T-1 for about 2 hours. All is back online and the FAQ is
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up. Tim [Denver, CO] Take a look at some of the info on |
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Actually all you need to do to be a stepper expert is read the white paper
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in the Technical Library on the Gecko site () Mariss has shared his knowledge for the benefit of all of us in his normal clear and understated way. Tim [Denver, CO] Matt Shaver is a good |
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