CNC Conversion kit for a milling machine - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: xzswq21
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2021, 05:17:29 pm
content: HelloI'm going to buy a WABECO F1200 milling machine and I want to use a CNC conversion kit for the milling machine, WABECO CNC kit is expensive4th Axis:https://www.wabeco-remscheid.de/frasmaschinen/zubehor-frasmaschinen/nc-rundtisch.htmlAutomatic feeds for X,Y and Z:https://www.wabeco-remscheid.de/catalog/category/view/s/for-f1200/id/579/?product_list_limit=32I think I can use such a kit from other companies,I have noticed there are MACH 3 or MACH 4 CNC software:https://www.machsupport.com/software/mach4/plus I found "GECKO G540 4-Axis Digital Step Drive" but it has a 25 pin parallel port:https://www.geckodrive.com/g540-4-axis-digital-stepper-drive.htmlI think for the Stepper motors and motor mounts (Flanges), I can buy four NEMA stepper motors and I can build the motor mounts manually.But my laptop doesn't have any parallel port!Could you please recommend me a reliable solution? (I want to produce precision things)Thanks

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2021, 06:11:02 pm
content: Can't actually recommend a solution for lack of parallel port (my CNC has parallel, and a newer setup using USB isn't working yet), but perhaps this page will give you ideas:https://rckeith.co.uk/mach3-parallel-port/The main problem with no having parallel is timing, so essentially the motion control is offloaded to an interface board. A search for "MACH3 USB" should turn up quite a few options.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 11, 2021, 09:41:29 am
content: I've used Gecko G540 drives on a number of CNC builds, either with a PC with parallel port (standard or PCI) and Mach 3, or via an Arduino Mega running grbl for the motion controller.I'd suggest looking at something like the Warp9 Smooth Stepper (USB or Ethernet).https://warp9td.com/Or the Smoothieboard if you want something with combined motion controller and motor drivers.https://smoothieware.org/smoothieboardMach 3/4 is good if you want to use Windows, but there are alternative options like UCNC or LinuxCNC.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2021, 08:49:44 am
content: My project 1200x600 currently has ahttps://planet-cnc.com/USB 4 axis board on it but before it gets back in running form I am seriously considering a stand alone solution rather than tethered to a PC. Mach3 and or 4 is not really where I want to go either.So the likely candidate is the DDCS Experthttp://www.ddcnc.com/?m=home&c=View&a=index&aid=154&lang=entheir 3.1 board (still available too) has been around for a couple of years and seems to work well. Still would like to see some more actual user experiences with it but the manual is comprehensive and well written for a Chinese origin product.

author: xzswq21
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2021, 07:09:19 pm
content: I need a 4th Axis without any motor for a milling machine, later I will mount a motor on the 4th axis. Do you have any recommendation?I found a 4th Axis and a tailstock from WABECO:https://www.wabeco-remscheid.de/1694.htmlhttps://www.wabeco-remscheid.de/1707.htmlor I found another one:https://www.vevor.com/collections/dividing-head/products/dividing-head-bs-1-6-3-jaw-chuck-tailstock-for-cnc-milling-machine-precisio

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 21, 2021, 06:44:15 am
content: Make sure that the one you buy will fit and be usable on your machine once mounted and tooling is set up. I made that mistake and have an expensive 6" Vertex dividing head I can't use until I buy a bigger mill. I got a couple of cheap 4" ones now. Also you probably want a model that includes the dividing plates. The Wabeco ones seem to be Vertex which is a good brand.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2021, 08:34:38 pm
content: If you really want to use both dividing headandtailstock (I've never done it myself on my F1200, only the dividing head), you really need the F1210. Otherwise you have practically no workspace.