Boxford 190vmc upgrade

[swood1]

Hi David,

How did you get on with your conversion? I have been playing with a smoothstepper board and got my machine running to a point (not got the tool changer running nor the spindle control yet). But have now acquired a new BoB (PMDX-126), so hopefully I can get everything running. Originally I got some cheap drives of Fleebay but I think I can retain the original drives as I believe they are better (the ones I bought seem to keep missing steps atleast I think it's them).

Regards

Steve

[davethesteam]

Hello Steve,

Regrettably progress has been almost zero. I have all the bits but have not had time to get anything running. Various excuses are available. I am currently designing panels for the VMC and my Conect lathe, then hopefully I can get on with doing something useful towards the rebuild.

I'm interested in the mechanics of the toolchanger. I shall have to make one for my machine as they seem like hen's teeth. I've found a video one on youtube but it doesn't show too much. I am assuming an air cylinder pushes the changer into place and another does the indexing. If you have any photos of the right hand part of the mechanism I'd be grateful, similarly the drive parts of the indexer.

I have lots of things I want to do with this so my lack of progress is infuriating, but the bills must be paid!!

I'm not sure I'd recommend keeping the original drives, I doubt they will microstep. I'm using CDE drives and processor. Go to http://www.eaziform.co.uk/index.php?home to see what he does. I have the M401 board for both machines plus a set of the stepper drives for each machine, but I will probably be using the newer 'Atom' board for the mill as it will be easier to drive the toolchanger, 12 axes etc.

With steppers I believe a lot depends on the current settings which must match the motor and the ramp rates. I am also told microstepping boards can drive motors faster as the transfer the power more smoothly between steps rather than jumping a whole step.

Hi David,

How did you get on with your conversion? I have been playing with a smoothstepper board and got my machine running to a point (not got the tool changer running nor the spindle control yet). But have now acquired a new BoB (PMDX-126), so hopefully I can get everything running. Originally I got some cheap drives of Fleebay but I think I can retain the original drives as I believe they are better (the ones I bought seem to keep missing steps atleast I think it's them).

Regards

Steve

[fireburst]

Hi,

I have just purchased a used Boxford 190VMC and a used Denford Micromill 2000 that I would like to put to use for low volume signage mainly wood or cast acrylics.

The Boxford is missing the original software so I would like to utilise Mach3. Will I need to modify to allow the use of Mach3?

As a side note I have a TinyG v8 card. Would I be able to utilise this in a USB upgrade?

Any help would be appreciated

Andy

[mekanik]

Hi Andy
This thread is two year old, you would be better starting one of your own.
Regards
Mike