Changes

This proposal is to buy an older CNC milling machine in good condition and replace the majority of the electronics with modern parts.  This will likely include the motor drivers, rotary position encoders, and CNC controller.  Depending on their condition, we will try to reuse the motor power supply, switches, spindle and axis motors.

This proposal is to buy an older CNC milling machine in good condition and replace the majority of the electronics with modern parts.  This will likely include the motor drivers, rotary position encoders, and CNC controller.  Depending on their condition, we will try to reuse the motor power supply, switches, spindle and axis motors.

== Candidate Machine ==

=== Candidate Machine ===

We have located a Bridgeport Series I Interact machine that we believe would be a good machine for our shop.  It is very similar to our current manual Bridgeport with a few exceptions:

We have located a Bridgeport Series I Interact machine that we believe would be a good machine for our shop.  It is very similar to our current manual Bridgeport with a few exceptions:

This is probably a mid to late '80s machine, newer than our manual machine.  Overall, the condition seems to be at least as good as our Bridgeport.  The chrome ways have little wear and there are no marks on the table.

This is probably a mid to late '80s machine, newer than our manual machine.  Overall, the condition seems to be at least as good as our Bridgeport.  The chrome ways have little wear and there are no marks on the table.

== Software ==

=== Software ===

The possibilities for controller software, in order of preference, include MachineKit, Linux CNC, Mach (4 or 3). MachineKit and Linux CNC are open source.  

The possibilities for controller software, in order of preference, include MachineKit, Linux CNC, Mach (4 or 3). MachineKit and Linux CNC are open source.  

For CAM, we will use our current Aspire software.

For CAM, we will use our current Aspire software.

== Computer Hardware ==

=== Computer Hardware ===

Unless there are unforeseen obstacles, the CNC controller will be a Beagle Bone Black running MachineKit.

Unless there are unforeseen obstacles, the CNC controller will be a Beagle Bone Black running MachineKit.

==  Location ==

===  Location ===

   

   

The CNC Milling Machine will be located near the Bridgeport milling machine, as they will be able to share tooling and this location is convenient to 3 phase power, which is required by the spindle motor.

The CNC Milling Machine will be located near the Bridgeport milling machine, as they will be able to share tooling and this location is convenient to 3 phase power, which is required by the spindle motor.

== Costs ==

=== Costs ===

{| class=wikitable

{| class=wikitable