Hi all,
I work in a small machine shop at a university research center. I am not a machinist or engineer by training, though I do make simple things here and there. We mostly make flat parts (flanges, adapter plates, etc) and other one-of parts. In addition to making whatever parts are needed for our research, the workshop is meant to provide students with machining and fabrication experience. The students do a lot of the actual machining.
We have two Bridgeport mills of unknown provenance (we got them used from someone a long time ago).
My first hope is that someone could help identify these mills. I couldn't find any obvious model numbers, though one of them has the model number 115769 on the base.
(If you click on the images, they will enlarge).
Machine 1:
![Click image for larger version.
Name: mill_1.jpg
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ID: 246910]()
![Click image for larger version.
Name: mill_2.jpg
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ID: 246911]()
![Click image for larger version.
Name: mill_3.jpg
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ID: 246912]()
Links to higher res versions:
mill_1.png
mill_2.png
mill_3.png
Machine 2:
![Click image for larger version.
Name: Bridgeport_rotated_1.jpg
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Size: 12.2 KB
ID: 246913]()
![Click image for larger version.
Name: Bridgeport_rotated_2.jpg
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Size: 11.8 KB
ID: 246914]()
Bridgeport_rotated_1.png
Bridgeport_rotated_2.png
They seem to run fine, though I'm not an expert.
Right now they have DROs and Machine 2 has a power drive on the X axis.
I'm considering a CNC conversion for one of these machines (maybe through Centroid?) The goal being to enable the production of slightly more complex parts (if only in the number of features/cuts) and to create an opportunity for students to learn working with G code. We don't need more than ~5 thou precision on most things we make.
If anyone has any input on what these mills might be, if they're worth upgrading (given our goals), and any other suggestions, I would really appreciate it.
EDIT: I have read several posts here about CNC conversion, and I realize that CNC capability can be acquired by purchasing a used VMC. However, I don't think this option would work in my situation, because of the administrative issues involved with a new, large machine like a VMC. We are not a production workshop, so the automatic tool changing isn't as critical. It would be much easier for us to upgrade an existing machine than purchase another machine, for the same amount of money.
Cheers,
Swarf Sandwich
I work in a small machine shop at a university research center. I am not a machinist or engineer by training, though I do make simple things here and there. We mostly make flat parts (flanges, adapter plates, etc) and other one-of parts. In addition to making whatever parts are needed for our research, the workshop is meant to provide students with machining and fabrication experience. The students do a lot of the actual machining.
We have two Bridgeport mills of unknown provenance (we got them used from someone a long time ago).
My first hope is that someone could help identify these mills. I couldn't find any obvious model numbers, though one of them has the model number 115769 on the base.
(If you click on the images, they will enlarge).
Machine 1:
Links to higher res versions:
mill_1.png
mill_2.png
mill_3.png
Machine 2:
Bridgeport_rotated_1.png
Bridgeport_rotated_2.png
They seem to run fine, though I'm not an expert.
Right now they have DROs and Machine 2 has a power drive on the X axis.
I'm considering a CNC conversion for one of these machines (maybe through Centroid?) The goal being to enable the production of slightly more complex parts (if only in the number of features/cuts) and to create an opportunity for students to learn working with G code. We don't need more than ~5 thou precision on most things we make.
If anyone has any input on what these mills might be, if they're worth upgrading (given our goals), and any other suggestions, I would really appreciate it.
EDIT: I have read several posts here about CNC conversion, and I realize that CNC capability can be acquired by purchasing a used VMC. However, I don't think this option would work in my situation, because of the administrative issues involved with a new, large machine like a VMC. We are not a production workshop, so the automatic tool changing isn't as critical. It would be much easier for us to upgrade an existing machine than purchase another machine, for the same amount of money.
Cheers,
Swarf Sandwich