Toolguy Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 (edited) I don't know the Centroid control, but I know you DO want conversational programming. The ones I know about that are good are: Milltronics (what I have now, they are very good), and Hurco (also very good). The machine still runs on G code, but the programming and editing is much easier than writing G code. When you program or edit the conversational part, the software writes a parallel G code program for you. A real conversational control lets you program toolpaths as opposed to something with a few "wizards" which are just canned cycles for certain operations. About the only thing you can't do with conversational programming is 3D contouring. That is done by making a Cad model, then running it through a Cam post processor which writes the G code for your particular machine control off the Cad model. No one hand writes G code for 3D contouring anyway. All the different Bridgeport CNC mills had good iron but shaky controls. You wouldn't want the Brideport control even if it worked like new. If you retrofit a new conversational control you will have a solid machine that is very capable. Here I am assuming the Centroid control is a decent one simply because I don't know one way or the other. Milltronics also sells their control for retrofitting. My Centurion 6 controls are DOS based and use 3-1/2" floppy disk (2001 vintage). They are bulletproof though. The newer ones are Windows based and use flash drives for backup program storage outside the machine. Edited July 21, 2015 by Toolguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskinsler83 Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskinsler83 Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskinsler83 Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toolguy Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 Lookin good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinj308 Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 FullSizeRender-2.jpgFullSizeRender-1.jpgFullSizeRender.jpgIMG_0763.JPG Loving that slide, the bomar install looks great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskinsler83 Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g.willikers Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 Quite an undertaking. A local technical school is going to offer cnc classes this fall. Very tempting. If anyone is thinking of learning this stuff, check around your area for similar classes. CNC is getting to be mainstream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmiller Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 My latest acquisition . It is going to be a fun winter. Mazak quick turn Cnc lathe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskinsler83 Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 Bet that was a heft penny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmiller Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 Not yet, the guy wanted it out of his way. It is supposed to work. Needs batteries and the parameters re entered. Not sure how much that will cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toolguy Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 Bad news - that is a pretty old machine. Good news - Mazak is one of the top Japanese (really good) brands. That one may still have some good years in it. Good score! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmiller Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 (edited) Cutting edge 1982 technology! There is a Mazak expert that lives east of me that helped my friend with his older machine. We shall see. On a side note, I wish I could find Delorean to park beside it. Edited August 24, 2015 by bmiller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Open1215 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 (edited) I found a mill I am looking into. CNC SUPRA mill 10x45 w computer variable spindle control. From a company called CNC masters. I'm looking to do small work. Make slide cuts, make base pads. Perhaps eventually build 2011 frames. Small garage business. Tanfoglio Base pads, mail off slide lighting. Barrel porting. Comp fitting. Would this be a good place to start? Or should I be looking for something else. Thank you all. Please understand this is also mostly for a hobby. I do NOT intend on buying this tomorrow and opening a company the next day. I know a lot of tanfo shooters and would like to one day offer services to them. Edited August 24, 2015 by Open1215 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinj308 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 My latest acquisition . It is going to be a fun winter. Mazak quick turn Cnc lathe. that's awesome!!!!! you've got quite the shop going with your mill and now this!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jid2 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 I would not buy a CNC Masters machine, lots of bad feedback over the years. For that money just buy a Tormach or Novakon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Open1215 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Thank you jid2. I will look into that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Open1215 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 How about the Tormach PCNC 1100? It seems to have a lot up upgrades available, every review I have read was a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toolguy Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 The Tormach is the best of the hobby level machines. It has the best support and they just came out with a killer programming system. Get the 1100 not the 770. In machine tools, manual or CNC, more cast iron and more XYZ travel rules. Two guys I know have them and both really like them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Open1215 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Ok good to know. I'm looking at the parts maker kit. Seems to be everything. I'm going to call them later this week and be sure I will be able to do what I want to with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind bat Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Mazatrol doesn't support G-code does it? Are you planning to do a retrofit or use the current CNC interface? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leas327 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 I actually prefer mazatrol for 2 axis lathe work. It's fast and easy to program at the machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskinsler83 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 I just need a Swiss machine lmao Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmiller Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 I am going to wire it in a few weeks, fire it up and see what I have. My friend who is a machinist said I will probably be happy with the controller. (Provided it works). If it doesn't , I will do a retrofit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinj308 Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Ok good to know. I'm looking at the parts maker kit. Seems to be everything. I'm going to call them later this week and be sure I will be able to do what I want to with it. Check out NYCNC and JohnGrimsmo on youtube. Both do a lot of cool stuff with an 1100 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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