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- Is there a list of the easiest to more difficult cnc lathes and mills to convert
Is there a list of the easiest to more difficult cnc lathes and mills to convert
- HighSpeed
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19 Oct 2023 02:42 #283267
by HighSpeed
Is there a list of the easiest to more difficult cnc lathes and mills to convert was created by HighSpeed
pretty much the topic.
it seems like the bridgeport cnc retrofits are plenty and easy to do(probably due to lower cost and high availablity) But there are less documented cnc lathe conversions than mills. Not seeing many Okumas, or Hardinge lathes being converted. Any insights here?
it seems like the bridgeport cnc retrofits are plenty and easy to do(probably due to lower cost and high availablity) But there are less documented cnc lathe conversions than mills. Not seeing many Okumas, or Hardinge lathes being converted. Any insights here?
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- andypugh
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19 Oct 2023 13:17 #283296
by andypugh
Replied by andypugh on topic Is there a list of the easiest to more difficult cnc lathes and mills to convert
Anything that is already CNC and not controlled by a proprietary serial (and / or optical)[1] interface should be relaively straightforward.
Converting manual machines to CNC is generally more work, but is often a good choice for a small home shop, as built-as-cnc machines are generally rather bulky, even if just with cabinets and covers.
[1] Fanuc yellow cap, for example.
Converting manual machines to CNC is generally more work, but is often a good choice for a small home shop, as built-as-cnc machines are generally rather bulky, even if just with cabinets and covers.
[1] Fanuc yellow cap, for example.
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20 Oct 2023 01:37 #283335
by HighSpeed
Replied by HighSpeed on topic Is there a list of the easiest to more difficult cnc lathes and mills to convert
is there a list of manufacturers that use standardized serial and optical interfaces ? or which manufacturers that use proprietary serial and optical interfaces ?
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- ihavenofish
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20 Oct 2023 08:06 #283340
by ihavenofish
Replied by ihavenofish on topic Is there a list of the easiest to more difficult cnc lathes and mills to convert
Your question is backwards here. Every cnc machine is a bit different and there are literally thousands of brands. There is no "list" or "standard". You need to pick a specific machine available to you, and then determine what it has and see if linuxcnc can control it.
The only useful rule of thumb I can say is pre 1995 is most often analogue, and you can control it with linuxcnc. Post 1995 is most often some form of serial that you will not be able to make use of (unless it is VERY new and uses ethercat). But this is going to vary greatly, even within the same brand of machines and controls
The only useful rule of thumb I can say is pre 1995 is most often analogue, and you can control it with linuxcnc. Post 1995 is most often some form of serial that you will not be able to make use of (unless it is VERY new and uses ethercat). But this is going to vary greatly, even within the same brand of machines and controls
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20 Oct 2023 10:03 #283346
by tommylight
Replied by tommylight on topic Is there a list of the easiest to more difficult cnc lathes and mills to convert
I have bumped into post 1995 machines that use analog control, up to 2002, if i remember correctly.
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20 Oct 2023 17:57 #283365
by ihavenofish
Replied by ihavenofish on topic Is there a list of the easiest to more difficult cnc lathes and mills to convert
Sure, I said "most often" and "vary greatly".
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20 Oct 2023 18:21 #283370
by tommylight
Thank you, and thank you for everything you do on this forum.
Replied by tommylight on topic Is there a list of the easiest to more difficult cnc lathes and mills to convert
Yup, i got that, just added to what you stated, probably could have formulated it a bit differently but being in a consistent hurry does lead to such short and often miss understood statements.Sure, I said "most often" and "vary greatly".
Thank you, and thank you for everything you do on this forum.
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20 Oct 2023 18:34 #283372
by ihavenofish
Replied by ihavenofish on topic Is there a list of the easiest to more difficult cnc lathes and mills to convert
Take a break, eat some pizza, relax...
Wait, no, that's me. Mmmmmm piiiizaaa
haha
I was just pointed to a biesse cnc the other day form 1999. I am trying to figure out what drives they use. This is right around the time they transitioned from analogue to mechatrolink, and some of the LATER drives can support analogue and pulse as well, but older ones cant. A bit backwards to what you might guess on them.
The CNC world will be much nicer when industrial and hobby machines alike are on ethercat.... although we wont get any more $500 machines cause they wont go obsolete in the same way. Trade offs. haha.
Wait, no, that's me. Mmmmmm piiiizaaa
haha
I was just pointed to a biesse cnc the other day form 1999. I am trying to figure out what drives they use. This is right around the time they transitioned from analogue to mechatrolink, and some of the LATER drives can support analogue and pulse as well, but older ones cant. A bit backwards to what you might guess on them.
The CNC world will be much nicer when industrial and hobby machines alike are on ethercat.... although we wont get any more $500 machines cause they wont go obsolete in the same way. Trade offs. haha.
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