Bridgeport 4th and 5th axis enabled machines

[JAZZCNC]

Jazz, is it possible to add linear scales to a IP/M or S control. I have now the "little" Boxford machine and want to convert it later to a servo control, I already have the Motors from Yaskawa and 2 drives for it but they want analog +/-10V. Now I need 3 additional drives for X,Y,Z and another one for B. If I see it right, I have 2 additional analog outputs which can have +/- 10V.
One for an additional 5th axis and one for the spindlemotor which I will change for a much stronger one.
But it were better, if I can add a linear or rotational scale to any axe.
I know the IP/A can make this, but this part is too expensive for me. With all features I want have, it costs more than 1000€.

No Only the IP-A can have Feed back. You can get a Encoder module for the IP-S for Spindle to allow threading etc.

The IP-S and IP-A are almost the same price so if you can use Analog -/+10v then I'd go that route.

Or look at the Klop and Kanalog route which seem a nice enough setup, thou again not cheap by the time you have expanded it. Will probably be about same money.

Pokeys 57cnc is worth a look and will support high speed encoders. It also has one of the best Mach4 plug-ins out there.!