Warco VMC Turret Mill - CNC Conversion

[antsals]

I've been in the process of converting a Warco VMC Turret mill for quite a while. I have recently up'ed the stepper motors to slightly more powerful but I have a niggle on the machine.

The Warco major build log is a good starting point as I can see a few items like the gib strip screws have been modified.

I'm using eazicnc system and g-code generated from featurecam. The main problem I'm having is that as I am machining for example a circle every so often the machine just goes off on a striaght line? The g-code is perfect it seems to be the machine. What I think it is is the x axis is jamming up and overloading the steppers so that the motors arn't turning therefore the circling motion goes out of sync.

My first question is has anyone out and about tried converting this type of machine and what have you done to mount the x - y axis ballscrews?

At the moment I have a temp x-axis mount so I could test the machine but keep encountering this problem. I'm really not sure what to do next looking for some guidence I'm even thinking the ballscreaw could be bent between the two fixed bearing mounts?

I have been cutting aluminium only 1mm cuts with 16mm endmill at 400mm/min? Whats your thoughts should I be able to run faster? Deeper cuts?

Any thoughts I would appreciate.
Cheers
Ant

[antsals]

Also have a link to video of the machine cutting:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5z_nX987b8

[M250cnc]

I'm using eazicnc system and g-code generated from featurecam

Do you mean the POS made by CDE

Phil

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[antsals]

Yep the software from CDE

[M250cnc]

Yep the software from CDE

I take it the hardware is made by CDE also, if so that i suspect is the problem (Hardware).

To test i would remove the motors from the machine run the code and see if any motor stops when it shouldn't. That will eliminate any machine binding issues.

I would also check the power supply voltage they have some pretty low output votages, i just cut my losses and sold the system.

Phil

[Robin Hewitt]

I have been cutting aluminium only 1mm cuts with 16mm endmill at 400mm/min? Whats your thoughts should I be able to run faster? Deeper cuts?

Hi Ant

Suds! You want a suds pump if you are cutting aluminium.

I am no stickler for mathematising speeds and feeds and all that malarky, I go for what works for me.

Looking at it... If your holdfasts can take the strain, for a good start setting I'd probably try half the revs, half the feed, four times as deep and a good flow of suds :naughty:

best

Robin

[antsals]

I take it the hardware is made by CDE also, if so that i suspect is the problem (Hardware).

To test i would remove the motors from the machine run the code and see if any motor stops when it shouldn't. That will eliminate any machine binding issues.

I would also check the power supply voltage they have some pretty low output votages, i just cut my losses and sold the system.

Phil

Phil,
What have you done then? Sold the system and made your own?

Ant

[M250cnc]

Ant

I an sorry to say I sold it on ebay, this was about 3 years ago.

I use Mach3 as the controller I bought new drivers and power supplies.

It is ten times better than it was before.

Phil

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[antsals]

It what way is it better? What stepper drive units are you using? I was looking at the 240v versions from Zapp automation?

[M250cnc]

It what way is it better? What stepper drive units are you using? I was looking at the 240v versions from Zapp automation?

Night & day difference.

You need the highest voltage that your motors will tolerate which gives the highest speed. Then the amps give you power/torque.

Personally I would stay away from all in one boards.

Zapp, Arceurotrade, Motion Controlled Products are good places to buy

Phil


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