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

 

This is going to be the Servo side of the mounts....... I need 3, so I'm tack welding 3 pieces together be before I start the machine work...... I like to model my parts like this, print it out 1:1 and glue it right to the work piece..... My holes always line up this way....

NEMA 34

 

Thanks for sharing this and doing this build thread.

I was not aware of this controller. I see it has a ton of I/O compared to nearly all other hobby CNC offers out there. I'll be extremely interested to see what all you can hook up using this I/O

 

Thanks for sharing this and doing this build thread.

I was not aware of this controller. I see it has a ton of I/O compared to nearly all other hobby CNC offers out there. I'll be extremely interested to see what all you can hook up using this I/O

Thank you for being so interested in my project.....

 

I just finished the first parts for the servo mounts.....

The only arbor I have for my boring head is a NMTB40 for my horizontal mill..... Its crazy dangerous on this machine.....

 

Now its time to make the Bridgeport's end of the servo mounts.... This is what I've come up with.... It's time for some 4-jaw work...... It might get an aluminum or bronze (depending on my current floor scraps) insert in the middle to press against the ball screw bearing race....

I'm just going to weld a piece of square tubing in the middle of these 2 plates with a hole milled in the bottom for working on the 1/2" shaft couplings that I will be making next.

 

The old cast aluminum ones are broken as usual..... Someone tightened it down till it went Click! and then back a quarter turn...

 

It took a couple hours to rough out the 1st one......

 

The center soft insert will be made from this 863 Bronze I have leftover, this is my favorite bronze alloy its very tough stuff. Yes I realize its way overkill. 863 bronze cuts like steel, crazy chips for a bronze alloy very easy cleanup...

 

I just got the 1st part attached....

 

I just finished the Bridgeport ends of the servo mounts..... Time to cut some square tubing and do some tig welding.....

I said I was going to use 863 Bronze for the insert but 863 Bronze is no fun to work with, I bought a piece 6061 DOM tubing for cheap....