How
to install a CENTROID CNC retrofit kit |
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Classic
Bridgeport Boss 5 NC knee mill ready for a retrofit! |
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Bridgeport
manufactured a large number of "Boss" machines throughout
the 70's and 80's. These machines are of high quality and make an
excellent choice for a CENTROID CNC retrofit.
There are many
other brands of good high quality machines available on the market
today for reasonable prices. The original controls have gone past
their useful life and the machines themselves have outlived the
electronics. Often older NC and CNC machines can be found in excellent
mechanical condition. These machines usually have been a nightmare
to operate and maintain since the stock control is so outdated.
Also, many of these old controls were never really that good to
begin with and since the original systems were so difficult and
problematic to use it is common to see early NC machines with low
hours on them...prime for a CENTROID retrofit. |
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Remove
the old NC control |
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The
first step is removing the old NC control from the machine. With a
Boss machine this only takes about 30 to 45 minutes. The old Boss
5 control has two cabinets, one on the right and one in the back of
the machine. Both are removed reducing the footprint of the machine
significantly. |
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Mount
the new CENTROID CNC control cabinet |
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Next
mount the new CENTROID CNC control cabinet to the back of the machine.
The bottom bracket uses two existing mounting holes. As you can see
the CENTROID retrofit kit comes completely assembled ready to install
right out of the box! The large black flexi-conduit connects to the
operators console. The coiled cables on the floor are all factory
prewired ready to hookup to the spindle,lube pump, flood pump, mister,
speed up/dn, spindle brake, X,Y,Z axis motors and limit switches.
No other kit is so complete. All the cables are labeled and clearly
indicated on the hookup schematic. |
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Remove
the old stepper motors |
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Since
this is a Boss 5 which used big, old, hot and noisy stepper motors
we will be replacing the axis motors with new CENTROID 29 in-lb
DC servo motors.(continuous torque rating click here for more info
on torque ratings) So now, simply unbolt the stock motors and retain
all the hardware.
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To
mount the new CENTROID servo motors we will be reusing the existing
belts, pulleys and hardware. The new CENTROID servo motor is a direct
bolt up! what could be easier? |
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Mount
the new Servo motor |
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The
CENTROID servo motor is over 2 times as powerful and twice as fast
as the old stepper motor it replaces and more importantly it has
a resolution that is over 8 times that of the old motor AND the
new motor is closed loop unlike the old stepper motor so, it never
loses position.
Once the motors
are mounted simply screw on the cable coming from the control onto
the cannon connector located on the motor. It is keyed so it only
goes on one way. |
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Mount
the operators console |
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Mounting
the console is quick and simple, all the brackets and hardware are
supplied with a CENTROID retrofit kit. We simply drilled and tapped
4 holes and bolted the supplied bracket onto the side of the ram.
Then we install the center pin for the hinge at both ends and hung
the operators console. Once the console was hung, we simply connected
the flexi-conduit to that runs from the console to the control magnetics
cabinet. |
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Power
up and checkout. |
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Now
there are only a few things to finish connecting such as the power
cables for the accessories and then we are ready to power up and proceed
with the control configuration and check out. Since we have used a
complete CENTROID CNC kit with new motors and all new control electronics
this machine is not limited in any way by the technology originally
used. It is now a much more capable machine and much more reliable
and user friendly. It is now compatible with modern computer equipment
and programs and is software updateable, unlike the
old control which sealed its doom. |
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Machine
parts not possible with the original control. |
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Not
only did we revive this great machine we added CNC capabilities
that were never possible with the old control.
- True 3 axis machining with high speed processing.
(no hesitation)
- 2D and 3D Digitizing
- Color graphics: while programming, while machining.
- Stop and restart job at any point.
- Remembers part zero positions if power is removed
or E-stop
- Remembers
part programs and tool librarys
- Automatic tool height measurement
- Built in Hard drive and ethernet LAN ready, USB port.
- Conversational programming.
- Graph and
Edit G-codes from any source at the control.
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