Centroid Community CNC Support Forum

Preparing to convert a Bridgeport VMC600 that has a HEIDENHAIN - TNC 370.

Does anyone have knowledge to share on such a conversion ?



thanks
A.

Does this one have Siemens Simodrive 611 servo and spindle drives?

If so, you will need an intermediate breakout between the Oak and the axis drives, to convert the axis enable signals from active-low to active-high. That is typically done with small signal relays (one per axis) with 24VDC coils.

Is it otherwise a typical Bridgeport VMC (similar to the Torq-Cut series), with:
- 22-position tool carousel rotated by a reversible single-phase motor and a Geneva mechanism
- Carousel slide in/out motion driven by another reversible single-phase motor, with a brake
- Optionally a two-speed spindle gearbox with pneumatic shifting
- Spindle encoder belted to spindle in front, independent of the spindle drive or gearbox
- No counterbalance on the head
- 24VDC magnetic brake on the Z axis ballscrew
- Separate 24VDC pneumatic solenoids for drawbar release and spindle air blow?

Hi

Yes, it appears to be exactly as you describe,
And yes it has the Simodrive 611.

My thoughts were....
I could replicate the D-type connectors of the current controller, with my own panel so that the wiring loom could remain intact.
From interface panel wire into a new Controller, and if needed perform any signal manipulation in this interface.

IMO - the sheer amount of wiring/cct breakers/relays inside the main cabinet looks like overkill for the limited number of gadgets the VMC has.


What would be your suggestion for an upgrade path ?

re. Optionally a two-speed spindle gearbox with pneumatic shifting

Not sure if i have this, at present max spindle speed is 3000rpm
How does it change gear ?

also how can i command a tool change from the control panel ?

On the Torq-Cut series, gear changing is by a rotating pneumatic mechanism underneath the motor.

In support of that, there is a dual solenoid valve for high-gear / low-gear selection, and a single solenoid valve for shotpin retract.

With or without gear changing, there are single solenoid valves for tool release and air blast.

So, if there are four solenoid valves on the pneumatics panel on the left side of the column (three singles and a dual) then the machine has gear shifting. If there are just two (single) solenoid valves, then it does not have gear shifting.

Hi

Mine only has 2 solenoids, so clearly single speed.

What are your thoughts to the upgrade...

• need only the oak

• simodrive should keep or replace

any other thoughts ?

If I were doing it, I would keep the SimoDrive 611 unit, but would not rule out different servos (e.g. Yaskawa) in the future if for some reason the SimoDrive system became a can of worms. JHLarsen's experience running the SimoDrive 611 servos on his Eumach is encouraging.

You will need one PLCADD1616 board.

If I were doing it, I would use an M400 console, or at least an M39-style jog pendant. I am not a fan of VCP-only on "serious" machine tools. But lots of people here on the DIY forum are content with the VCP, supplemented with the MPG handwheel pendant.

I thought I had an air leak in the spindle.
As I have now started taking panels off to clean it (i can not understand why people don't clean machines - but the mess was truly shocking.)

Anyway i found the leak.
See the picture, there is a continuous air feed (regulator looks to have been added later) feeding that ring.
There is a small but noticeable amount of air coming out of the nose.
This then bleeds down my air supply fairly quickly.

So is this ....

a) only meant to happen when changing tools, so acts to help clean the taper.
OR
b) a continuous air blast to prevent the ingress of fluids/debris into the spindle bearings.

and what pressure should it be at, mine was set to 30psi.

Not sure what your picture signifies. ("AIR feed goes here)
There is an AIR BLAST that goes THROUGH the spindle to clear chips off tool shanks during a tool change.
There is an AIR CURTAIN feature on some VMC's that blow air through the spindle cartridge to keep the bearings clear of fluids and contaminants. The air curtain should be one whenever the spindle is running. OR however it might have been configured from Bridgeport.

I am unsure if your Bridgeport was so equipped. A schematic of your machine might reveal some clues.
Marty

The setup it came with, had a continuous air feed into the port I highlighted on the photo.

As you said, i would have expected it to go through a solenoid to only blow air when the spindle was running.
So it looks like a DIY add-on.

I'll add a solenoid to make it blow only when running.