Bridgeport Manual to CNC conversion...

[JAZZCNC]

I have all the code in SpindleSpeed.m1s - can it also be made to stop the spindle and restart it after pressing enter without wrecking the code-flow etc ?

Can't see any reason why not. Post the file your using and I'll take look.

[Davek0974]

I had a second thought last night - it's not as simple as i thought as not only does it need to stop the spindle and restart it, it has to restart it in the same direction as it was running previously because when in low range/back-gear the motor has to run in reverse.

Not so sure its possible now??

I'll get the code up though soon.

Thanks

[JAZZCNC]

Not so sure its possible now??

Anythings possible just changes how hard it is to achieve.!

Explain a little about how it's working now.? How do you run motor direction now directly via VFD or M3/M4.

[Davek0974]

At present, it runs via VFD and 0-10v signal from CSMIO, the motor has back-gear for speeds below 400rpm and also has a variable speed mechanical control that i am using in conjunction with the VFD to enable maximum torque to be obtained at all speeds. The VFD runs from 25Hz to 75Hz so keeps the motor in the power band.

In SpindleSpeed.m1s macro i have some code that examines the requested speed and compares the current pulley range - if it is out of range it warns me to set high/low speed on the mechanical dial and possibly set the back-gear or release it if needed.

Mach is set up with 4 pulleys.

I will go get the macro and pulley data.....

[Davek0974]

Here we go...

Spindlespeed macro
spindlespeed.m1s.zip

Pulleys are set in Mach as follows...
1 - 40 to 126rpm & motor reversed
2 - 127 to 366rpm & motor reversed
3 - 367 to 1031rpm
4 - 1032 to 3000rpm


So 1&2 are back-gear and 3&4 are high-gear.

I was amazed at how closely the speed was set via Mach, works really well.

[Davek0974]

VFD control ?

I currently have my fwd and rev signals wired through two relays using the built-in VFD control supply to control itself.

Is this worth it or should I bin the relays and connect the VFD ground to the CSMIO control ground and go direct from CSMIO output to VFD input?

Its a little layer of isolation but also mechanical complexity if not needed.


Safety relays....
The CSMIO manual shows a PILZ safety unit being used, I gather others are just as good? PILZ are damn expensive but other like Telemechanique items are better priced.

I gather they are used because they monitor the main control contactor/relay and also offer forced contact seperation etc internally, any other reasons? Any types to look out for?

[Davek0974]

Z-axis is coming along nicely - got all the parts machined on the mini-mill ;)

Last step is to make the link from the nut to quill.

My first idea is to plasma-cut a part from 10 or 12mm steel plate, then fit it up and weld it to original bridgeport part. This would make assembly easy as i can fit the parts up on the mill then clamp together and remove to make the weld.

Sound like a plan?