New Member, a little experience with 'toy CNC' but got a bigger baby now :-) !!

[SteveNotlob]

Hi all.
I played around with a small, hobby CNC some years ago (home built by previous owner with 2020 profiles but he couldn't get electrics / motors working so I got it for a steal!).

I have just bought an Infotec unit, that is so old that it doesn't show on their website and I cannot find info for it anywhere - no model number on the unit, just says 'JMS Engineering Ltd' and 'Infotek'.

I've included some photos.

I contacted Infotek last week but not had a reply from them :-(

I was hoping to be able to use their software, which I believe is called InfoCam, but with lack on contact from them I am thinking of using a cheap Mach3 controller instead - I still have the software on an old laptop that came with the aforementioned hobby CNC machine - what do you all think?

The electrics / electronics side does not worry me as I am an Electronic Engineer. It's whether the little board would be safely capable of running the machine.

Regards, Stephen328243282532826328273282832829

[m_c]

I'd guess those stepper drivers date from the 90s, so there's every chance nobody remaining at Infotek who actually know anything about that age of machine.

I'd personally replace all the electronics and motors with more modern bits, as even more more modern steppers will give you a good boost in performance.
As for motion controller and software, take your pick.
I'd personally not use Mach 3 now, but if you have experience with it, it's as good a reason as any to use it.

[SteveNotlob]

Hello m_c,
Thanks for the input.
The machine owes me £200 already (£159 to buy it and around £40 in fuel to collect it) so I am thinking of taking the gamble with using these parts if I can.
The drivers do have the pinouts printed on the connector so that is not a problem.
I was hoping for some input from Infotec regarding the software but if I don't hear anything in the next week then I will go ahead with the Mach3 conversion. I know Mach3 may not be the best or newest out there but as you correctly pointed out, I do have some experience with it. Hopefully all will be OK ! :-)
Yesterday I spent an hour, and a can of WD40, getting to every nut, bolt, screw, mechanical bits that I could. Weather permitting I am hoping to get to the screwy,rolly,motory bits today and tomorrow to give them a good clean... Sorry about trerminology but I really don't have a clue on technical terms...
Anyway, I think I should start another post in relevant forum for any other help rather than continuing in the Newbie 'Hello World' one.

Regards, Stephen

[NikosR]

Welcome to the wonderful world of CNC. My opinion is that mac3 is very good for beginners and relatively easy for the basics. Good luck in your endeavors.

[m_c]

Only thing to be aware of if using the original drivers, is what signal voltage they need.
That age, they might use 12 or 24VDC logic, not 5VDC.

[SteveNotlob]

Hello again m_c;
All motors and drives now tested and working OK. I'm hoping not to spend much as it is for hobby use and I couldn't justify splashing out on new motors or controllers unless I really had to.
Started disassembling the machine and cleaning rust off the lead screws.
Hoping to get it all back together over the weekend if the weather is OK.

[SteveNotlob]

m_c;
Drives using 24v for motors and 5v for opto-couplers