Bridgeport CNC with Masso Controller/Clearpath

This is going to be my first CNC build and my First build log. I've decided that a build log on this forum might be a good idea for this project so the next guy to take on this project doesn't have to deal with the stupid stuff I'm already running into.

This is my Masso Controller

I will be using 3 Clearpath Stepper Killer servos model# CPM-SDSK-3432S-RLN

They are a little over 6" long...

almost 3.5"

1/2" shaft with a 3/16" keyway

I will be using Teknic's IPC-5 75VDC power supply


But before you can wire up you Masso controller you have to power up the Clearpath servos and plug them in to a PC with the ClearPath USB-B cable and it absolutely has to be their cable I've already tried 5 others, now I'm waiting for UPS to deliver a "Teknic Certified" USB cable. Very Lame....

Their program will not see my servos without the "Teknic Certified" USB cable...


Edit: Almost any USB cable will work.... lol

 

My 2 hp Bridgeport has a red line between 3000 and 3300 RPM. I'd be reluctant to go above 2500 for an extended period of time.

Bruce

 

My 2 hp Bridgeport has a red line between 3000 and 3300 RPM. I'd be reluctant to go above 2500 for an extended period of time.

Bruce

My new sealed spindle bearings are rated for 10,000rpm.....

 

My new sealed spindle bearings are rated for 10,000rpm.....

Boy, in that case you'd think you'd be good for at least 5500 RPM. Only thing I can think of to be cautious with are the balance of pulleys(?)

Bruce

 

Did some more test cuts on a large piece of bronze..... All this was done with the Masso's conversational programming feature.....It has some problems, the conversational programming make some strange moves stopping in quarters of a circle making high spots at the stops and it only does full diameter step over when milling......lol I'm still trying to figure out how to get Fusion 360 to work with my machine.....

I think I'm going to try to build a probe from garbage next....


That bicycle hub is another project that I just finished, It has 863 bronze bearings pressed in both ends with 863 bronze thrust washers, a 5/8" 1045 axle and a zerk fitting to fill it with grease....

 

First somewhat successful file from fusion 360

Running at 2700rpm filmed in slowmo to see how big the chip was..... lol
I think I need to push the feed a little faster.... thats only 15" per min.... gonna try 30" per min on the facing cut next......

 

I just ran my first successful 4 step operation from Fusion 360.... The New 5axis Post processor file Masso just uploaded to Autodesk works great.....

Faced the part at about 30" per min and the rest of it was at about 10-15" per min..... Runtime was 42 minutes 33 seconds......


Milled everything with a 9/16 carbide end mill..... The boring was done in 2 steps the first was the smaller deep hole and then it did the larger shallow hole.....

 

I just ran my first successful 4 step operation from Fusion 360.... The New 5axis Post processor file Masso just uploaded to Autodesk works great.....

Faced the part at about 30" per min and the rest of it was at about 10-15" per min..... Runtime was 42 minutes 33 seconds......
View attachment 321349

Milled everything with a 9/16 carbide end mill..... The boring was done in 2 steps the first was the smaller deep hole and then it did the larger shallow hole.....
View attachment 321350

Congratulations! Great job working through all of the issues. Looks like your servo on the Z-axis with the planetary gear reducer works great. I was wondering how that would work. I'm guessing you have no backlash because of the weight of the knee. Sure bumps up the travel as compared to doing the quill.

Bruce

 

Congratulations! Great job working through all of the issues. Looks like your servo on the Z-axis with the planetary gear reducer works great. I was wondering how that would work. I'm guessing you have no backlash because of the weight of the knee. Sure bumps up the travel as compared to doing the quill.

Bruce

Thank you..... I actually have backlash on all 3 axis but the Masso controller has backlash compensation, that works perfectly...... The knee has the most backlash because of the play in gear teeth...

This project has been kicking my ass for almost 2 years now but it finally works!

I want to start my building my plasma cnc table soon, going to be 5x5' but the drive design is going to be modeled after this Italian company that makes cnc routers that make very fast movements.... I can't remember their name....

 

Just gave it 30 seconds in the vapor blasting cabinet.......

 

NC Viewer // GCode Viewer and Machine Simulator

Powerful online GCode Viewer to simulate GCode files. NC Viewer is the best free gcode editor for verifying CNC and 3D printer files.

ncviewer.com

This website will help you figure out if your Gcode will work before you try it on the machine....... It helped me learn that I was putting my work origin on the bottom of the stock causing my knee to crash every time.... So for those who don't already know you need to make the work origin on the top of the part or stock to be cut in Fusion 360......lol