Centroid AllInOne DC with Bridgeport Interact 1

[ColinHeath]

Hello All,

I am about to collect a Bridgeport Interact 1 Mk2 (I think these may be similar to what you call Boss in the US). The control is old and unreliable but lovely mechanically. I am looking at either Mach 4 or Centroid conversion but seems the Centroid may be a better solution.

I am told everything will work with existing DC Servos on machine and the main spindle drive but may need new encoders.

Is there anything I will need you can think off and if it's encoders, are the ones Centroid sell an easy option to fit?

I have searched through forum but can't find anything specific to this.

Any help much appreciated.

Kind regards,

Colin

[cnckeith]

Colin,
Hello!

for starters...related posts and pages to check out

https://www.centroidcnc.com/sem_dc_serv ... rofit.html

Marty's allin1dc video series.

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=2421

post photos of the machine and the axis motors for more specific comments and advice.

[ColinHeath]

Thanks Keith,

That looks very helpful, I will go take a look. I don’t have the machine yet as it’s reserved but not delivered yet.

Soon as I have it I will do as you say, so I can be more specific.

Cheers,

Colin

[martyscncgarage]

Hello All,

I am about to collect a Bridgeport Interact 1 Mk2 (I think these may be similar to what you call Boss in the US). The control is old and unreliable but lovely mechanically. I am looking at either Mach 4 or Centroid conversion but seems the Centroid may be a better solution.

I am told everything will work with existing DC Servos on machine and the main spindle drive but may need new encoders.

Is there anything I will need you can think off and if it's encoders, are the ones Centroid sell an easy option to fit?

I have searched through forum but can't find anything specific to this.

Any help much appreciated.

Kind regards,

Colin

Love to see pictures of the machine. Post pictures of the control cabinet and model of servo drives and motors. Pull a cap off an encoder and see if you can find the make and model of the encoder.
I'd like to see you go with Centroid. I think you will be happier in the long run. Software and hardware from the same company who has doing nothing but CNC Machine control for over 30 years.

More advice can be given.
Marty

[ColinHeath]

Hello All,

I am about to collect a Bridgeport Interact 1 Mk2 (I think these may be similar to what you call Boss in the US). The control is old and unreliable but lovely mechanically. I am looking at either Mach 4 or Centroid conversion but seems the Centroid may be a better solution.

I am told everything will work with existing DC Servos on machine and the main spindle drive but may need new encoders.

Is there anything I will need you can think off and if it's encoders, are the ones Centroid sell an easy option to fit?

I have searched through forum but can't find anything specific to this.

Any help much appreciated.

Kind regards,

Colin

Love to see pictures of the machine. Post pictures of the control cabinet and model of servo drives and motors. Pull a cap off an encoder and see if you can find the make and model of the encoder.
I'd like to see you go with Centroid. I think you will be happier in the long run. Software and hardware from the same company who has doing nothing but CNC Machine control for over 30 years.

More advice can be given.
Marty

Thanks Marty,

After downloading the CNC software I was sold within minutes by how straight forward to even a CNC milling newcomer.

I will be collecting the machine mid August but got some specs wrong.

It’s the Interact 1 as it has the mechanical variable speed with a 3 phase motor so should be straight forward to convert over to VFD (No room for forced air cooling though for low speed and tongue needs some thought at low speed)

SEM servos and soon as I get it back to my workshop I will post up pictures of everything and document the conversion.

I am going with All In 1 DC board and remove old drives and control to sell I think.

House a bare PC in an enclosure with screen and keyboard mount along with a handset control (may convert existing joysticks and handles but think they may not be TTL required.

[martyscncgarage]

Hello All,

I am about to collect a Bridgeport Interact 1 Mk2 (I think these may be similar to what you call Boss in the US). The control is old and unreliable but lovely mechanically. I am looking at either Mach 4 or Centroid conversion but seems the Centroid may be a better solution.

I am told everything will work with existing DC Servos on machine and the main spindle drive but may need new encoders.

Is there anything I will need you can think off and if it's encoders, are the ones Centroid sell an easy option to fit?

I have searched through forum but can't find anything specific to this.

Any help much appreciated.

Kind regards,

Colin

Love to see pictures of the machine. Post pictures of the control cabinet and model of servo drives and motors. Pull a cap off an encoder and see if you can find the make and model of the encoder.
I'd like to see you go with Centroid. I think you will be happier in the long run. Software and hardware from the same company who has doing nothing but CNC Machine control for over 30 years.

More advice can be given.
Marty

Thanks Marty,

After downloading the CNC software I was sold within minutes by how straight forward to even a CNC milling newcomer.

I will be collecting the machine mid August but got some specs wrong.

It’s the Interact 1 as it has the mechanical variable speed with a 3 phase motor so should be straight forward to convert over to VFD (No room for forced air cooling though for low speed and tongue needs some thought at low speed)

SEM servos and soon as I get it back to my workshop I will post up pictures of everything and document the conversion.

I am going with All In 1 DC board and remove old drives and control to sell I think.

House a bare PC in an enclosure with screen and keyboard mount along with a handset control (may convert existing joysticks and handles but think they may not be TTL required.

Consider the All in One DC and the wireless MPG. Keep it simple....

[ColinHeath]

Hi Marty,

Well I have the machine now and still debating which way to go. I'm wondering if I can use existing servo drives also and just use brain of something like the oak board?

I like the idea of having the drives separate to the main board. This will also reduce cost.

Here are pictures of machine, servos, servo drive name plate and encoders.

Hello All,

I am about to collect a Bridgeport Interact 1 Mk2 (I think these may be similar to what you call Boss in the US). The control is old and unreliable but lovely mechanically. I am looking at either Mach 4 or Centroid conversion but seems the Centroid may be a better solution.

I am told everything will work with existing DC Servos on machine and the main spindle drive but may need new encoders.

Is there anything I will need you can think off and if it's encoders, are the ones Centroid sell an easy option to fit?

I have searched through forum but can't find anything specific to this.

Any help much appreciated.

Kind regards,

Colin

Love to see pictures of the machine. Post pictures of the control cabinet and model of servo drives and motors. Pull a cap off an encoder and see if you can find the make and model of the encoder.
I'd like to see you go with Centroid. I think you will be happier in the long run. Software and hardware from the same company who has doing nothing but CNC Machine control for over 30 years.

More advice can be given.
Marty

[martyscncgarage]

No to OAK for these.
Strong possibility for All in One DC. You would likely have to replace the encoders. Keith provided a link to that.
Before you went much further with a good Digital Multimeter, test the motors per this tech bulletin:
https://www.centroidcnc.com/dealersuppo ... ds/155.pdf

Your alternatives would be to replace the motors with something like DMM AC Servos (NEMA 42, measure your flanges mounting hole spacing and motor shaft size) and Centroid Acorn or Estun and Centroid Acorn.

If the motors test good, it would be good to try and spin them up and listen to the bearings or just have a motor shop do a basic test for you.
If they check good, I think All in One DC would be the easier route and more cost effective way to to.

Keep the transformer and rectfier assembly (Bridge and Filter Capacitor) you will need them.

Your picture were too small for me to see the voltage on the SEM name plates, but most I have seen were about 120V so you need the transformer.

Marty

[ColinHeath]

No to OAK for these.
Strong possibility for All in One DC. You would likely have to replace the encoders. Keith provided a link to that.
Before you went much further with a good Digital Multimeter, test the motors per this tech bulletin:
https://www.centroidcnc.com/dealersuppo ... ds/155.pdf

Your alternatives would be to replace the motors with something like DMM AC Servos (NEMA 42, measure your flanges mounting hole spacing and motor shaft size) and Centroid Acorn or Estun and Centroid Acorn.

If the motors test good, it would be good to try and spin them up and listen to the bearings or just have a motor shop do a basic test for you.
If they check good, I think All in One DC would be the easier route and more cost effective way to to.

Keep the transformer and rectfier assembly (Bridge and Filter Capacitor) you will need them.

Your picture were too small for me to see the voltage on the SEM name plates, but most I have seen were about 120V so you need the transformer.

Marty

Thanks Marty,

The machine was all running before strip down to move so yes the servos all run nice and quite.

Motor voltage is 140v on the nameplate. It appears the encoders are not TTL so may actually work but not sure on the resolution of them.

Looking at costs to convert currently I may have to run the machine with heidehein control for a while and then convert it over when funds are available.

[martyscncgarage]

For encoders you need 5vdc line driver/differential encoders. If it's running now and you can run the motors to listen to them for condition great. Save your pennies. The Centroid control will make a world of difference provided you have the basic skills and can follow a wiring diagram. My video series on All in One should be a great help as well.

Marty