Boxford TCL 125

[John11668]

Linux does sound a bit intimidating when and maybe a further complication. I think I would like to get this machine up and running before going to another level.
I have been thinking out of the box
My mill table has plugs on the drive board for each axis cable .




If I were to make two leads to plug into x and z sockets and connect to x and z motors on the lathe then I should at least be able to test the axis motors .
I do have Mach 3 on the computer so should be able to call up a Lathe profile and set it up.

I might not even need to buy any gear at all. A good Yorkshire solution maybe , but must be careful not to upset the Lancashire men

[depronman]

Could not agree more with mach3 for lathe
I’ve converted two lathes to cnc. A boxford B using pokeys and mach3 and a ORAC using linuxcnc. Linuxcnc is far better not to mention cost a fraction of the mach3 solution

Paul


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[Doddy]

I plumbed for the standard Stretch 2.7 64 bit linux distro. You don't need much to get linux to run, but it needs to run well enough - there's a kernel utility to monitor jitter on the real-time scheduler... On a little i5 (Viglen Genie) that's rock solid, other end of the spectrum with a thin client (AMD Dual-Core T56N) it was useless - at least out of the box. Bear in mind that your real-time performance becomes more critical with parallel interfaces and particularly using a software encoder set-up for spindle position (for threading). I wouldn't aim too low in terms of machine spec. Also, think if you're planning to use Parallel (probably best for a quick intro to LinuxCNC) - in which case make sure that you buy a desktop with parallel port. If you do ultimately go Mesa - I'd suggest a dedicated ethernet port for that - but that's easily added later down the path (though compels you to a machine that will take expansion cards).

LinuxCNC will frustrate you, at least at first. For me I'm still frustrated (why oh why doesn't Axis GUI allow a preset spindle speed on a lathe - and yes, the documentation says it does... but it lies!). Oh yeah - get used to substantial parts of the configuration being dependent on your choice of UI.

Damn, just noticed 2.8 is out. Maybe that's a job for later (I don't care for the older Debian installs). Interestingly there's a new Pi install - I'm not convinced on the merits of a Pi in this role, though. Anyway - 2.8 - don't believe there's much to backup to roll the version/Linux distro forwards. I'd be interested in anyone's experience of this (my current "reconfiguration" of my machines is currently in the heavy lifting phase... be nice to play with the Linux environment instead).

[John11668]

Hi folks
Both axes jog fine when attached to my PC and Drivers, using my current mill profile and jogging X and Y so looks pretty much like the driver PCB in the machine is shot.
I will set up a lathe profile on Mach 3 just to check that I can operate that!

I will then go back to suppliers and see what they suggest with regard to their misleading description and the work I have put into getting to this point. I think I will insist on a replacement board at least , even if I do not use it.

[JAZZCNC]

Hi folks
Both axes jog fine when attached to my PC and Drivers, using my current mill profile and jogging X and Y so looks pretty much like the driver PCB in the machine is shot.
I will set up a lathe profile on Mach 3 just to check that I can operate that!

I don't think it means it shot, it might just need the Boxford software to work.? I don't think all of them will operate from the front panel without the Software but i could be wrong.!

Also you do realise it's X and Z axis on a lathe, you won't find a Y-axis in the Mach Lathe profile.

[John11668]

I don't think it means it shot, it might just need the Boxford software to work.? I don't think all of them will operate from the front panel without the Software but i could be wrong.!

Also you do realise it's X and Z axis on a lathe, you won't find a Y-axis in the Mach Lathe profile.

I did realise that Jazz but just using the mill outputs for X and Y to drive x and z motors

Engineer believes that the panel should permit manual jogging provided the manual button is selected on. This is also required for the spindle motions to work.
You may be correct but they told me that the machine was in full working order which of course I cant test , but neither could they. I can only presume that their engineer knows his machines. Used to work for Boxford they tell me .

Does anyone have one of these working on Boxford software who could confirm or otherwise ?

[inee]

Nice one ,at least you can move forwards now.

[mkultra]

i have two boxford tcl
the first and all original, driver transformer, capacitors, wires, etc.
we have only replaced the original card, created with the same fixing holes, a slightly modified mach 3,
the lathe did not have the cnc turret, I found 2 photos in 2d, I processed them with solidworks and I created a cnc turret, made to make the pieces in china.
added a 3 amp driver and the turret turns, all ok

the second cnc lathe had already been retrofitted, they had removed a large amount of the original system leaving only the spindle driver and motor, transformer.
the retrofit had been done by the old owner but it didn't work, it had some bloblem bugs,
with an experienced friend, in 2 days to solved. had to study all the previous changes and find the errors.
now it works fine.
front panel disabled, only emergency button works.

[John11668]

Hi All
And thanks for your contributions
Am waiting for response from vendor before I decide how to proceed.
Ideally I think I would like to see the machine working on its own panel and if a replacement board gets me there I will press for that.
Then I will look to providing computer inputs from Mach 3 initially before I take the plunge with linux .

So that is current plan . I recognise though that things do not always go to plan, ( well certainly not for me !)

[John11668]

Still awaiting decisions from supplier .

Says he will take the machine back and refund my purchase price , but I have spent so much time on this now and fixed a number of things , that i am reluctant to see that all go back to his benefit .
Additionally he wont reduce his purchase price even though this "full working order" machine turned out to have a dead short, no spindle supply, faulty interlocks and suspected dead driver board.
He maintains he is only obliged to give my money back , no obligation to pay me for work done , even though his "engineer " authorised it .

May have to start naming and shaming!