Thinking of a Bridgeport CNC Conversion

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V8 BUG
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Re: Thinking of a Bridgeport CNC Conversion

Post by V8 BUG »

So a year or so ago i decided to get this done. Here is my first part on a temp. wired machine. I ended up using gecko 320x servo drives and servos from Keiling. Mach 3 of coarse with an old XP computer. Machine runs well and i'm happy so far. I was able to make a part that was to big for one set-up on my TMC-1000 mill. I used my TMC-1000 to build most of the components including all of the pulleys. I had a local waterjet company make the steel brackets and black oxided them at my work.

I used a modified design from Ray L. for the quill drive. It seems to work well but i still need to fine adjust the bearing stack for near zero backlash.

I installed a pair of Hiwin ball screws and nut on X and Y.

Here's a quick video of the first program and part run. A simple 3/16 thick aluminum carburetor plate for a friend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puyX3A-fY3s

Thanks

Kevin
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V8 BUG
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Re: Thinking of a Bridgeport CNC Conversion

Post by V8 BUG »

Hi Guys,

Here's another new video of the BP conversion in action. This is the second part machined on the conversion. It's a wood brand for a friend starting a wood working business.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mrJFvkaTLg

Enjoy

Thanks

Kevin
BUILDING IT IS MORE FUN THAN BUYING IT
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ctwo
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Re: Thinking of a Bridgeport CNC Conversion

Post by ctwo »

Cool!

edit
Oh, I see you are using powermill...[ How are you getting machine code?]
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To measure is to know - Lord Kelvin
Disclaimer: I'm just a guy with a few machines...
V8 BUG
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Re: Thinking of a Bridgeport CNC Conversion

Post by V8 BUG »

I had been using PowerMill, a version from my shop, but I dumped it in favor of Fusion 360. Fusion has a post for Mach 3. I could go on about how good Fusion is but that's another thread.
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ctwo
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Re: Thinking of a Bridgeport CNC Conversion

Post by ctwo »

Oh, I must succumb...
Standards are so important that everyone must have their own...
To measure is to know - Lord Kelvin
Disclaimer: I'm just a guy with a few machines...
V8 BUG
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Re: Thinking of a Bridgeport CNC Conversion

Post by V8 BUG »

Was interested in a higher speed spindle for the smaller cutters so i decided to mount a router to the quill of the BP. Here's a short video of the mount and router working milling some aluminum. Program made in Fusion 360.

Enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtP63KgUeC8
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ctwo
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Re: Thinking of a Bridgeport CNC Conversion

Post by ctwo »

how are you mitigating backlash in the quill - from it rotating?
Standards are so important that everyone must have their own...
To measure is to know - Lord Kelvin
Disclaimer: I'm just a guy with a few machines...
V8 BUG
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Re: Thinking of a Bridgeport CNC Conversion

Post by V8 BUG »

well.......i'm depending on the pitch between the quill and the ball screw in front. its not the best but works for what i'm doing I have another design to hold the router as an inline to the quill but is more complicated to build that the one i did.
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Gary Armitstead
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Re: Thinking of a Bridgeport CNC Conversion

Post by Gary Armitstead »

Just a suggestion.....about 25 years ago, there was a company here in Southern California, retrofitting NEW Bridgeports with Bandit controllers. Buy the Bridgeport for around $6K, add the Bandit controller for another $2K (3-axis BTW). Had MDI OR you could drip feed a program to the controller using a nondescript computer. My retired Machine Technology college professor has one now in his home machine shop. We are using it right now to build seven 1-1/2 inch Baldwin electrics. We program our parts on MasterCam and post a program directly to a computer in the shop. Thousands of lines of code.
Might try to Google search one of these controllers and motors.

OR you could get a BRAND NEW Haas TM-1 Tool Room vertical CNC mill. For under $28K and it's a REAL CNC mill, not a wannabe. Has a tool changer and #40 taper! Full Fanuc Haas controller.
Gary Armitstead
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Kennl
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Re: Thinking of a Bridgeport CNC Conversion

Post by Kennl »

What size ball screw are being fitted to the Bridgeports
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Re: Thinking of a Bridgeport CNC Conversion

Post by V8 BUG »

I purchased the HiWin set made for the Bridgeport Mill. They are the same size as the lead screws i think at 1 5/8"
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