[txcowdog]

I recently acquired two Boxford Duet combination Lathe and Mill. They are missing the power supply and control software. I emailed Boxford asking for their assistance but never received a resopnse even though it appears to be a current machine. Does anyone have any ideas about hooking this thing up and what software I might obtain to make it go, or is the software proprietary? I wouldn't mind building the power supply if I could get a schematic but that still leaves the software problem. If worse comes to worse I can always gut the electronics and start over but I always like the easy way out.

Thanks.

[dougpfaff]

Would you be interested in selling one of them?

[txcowdog]

Actually I bought them both so I could leave one set up in the mill position and the other as a lathe. While it doesn't take long to switch from one position to the other, they only cost $300 each (yes, auctions are sweet) so I figured why not get both and save the three minutes. Thanks for the offer though.

[dougpfaff]

Do you know of anywhere else I can find one? Preferrably used instead of new.

[txcowdog]

I wouldn't know where to look. I had never heard of Boxford before this auction. Apparently they make small machines for teaching at technical colleges and the sort. You might try some of the schools in your area because it is not a production machine. Emco-Maier also makes small teaching machines and I got one of those off Ebay last year and I still see those from time to time there but they fetch prices upward to $1000. I think I got the Boxfords for so little because no one had ever heard of them. It looks like I am going to have to gut the machines electronics and put in a 4 axis controller from HobbyCNC because I can't get any help from Boxford or their distributors.

[dougpfaff]

Do you know of any of their distributors in the US?

[txcowdog]

These were the most directly related links I could find. The first two are USA based and the second two are overseas. The boxford site is www.boxford.co.uk

http://mid-atlantictraining.com/Boxford/duete.html
http://www.advancedtechnologies.net/...s/boxford.html
http://www.genetron.com.sg/dnt/cncmachines.htm
http://www.technologysupplies.co.uk/...l_Machine.html

[jamesbdunn]

Has anyone seen a post-processor made for Bobcad to talk with Boxford equipment?

Does anyone have the G-codes related to the Boxford Machines?

I have working systems (lathe, mill, Duet) to include the computer, software, and cabling.

But I want to use Bobcad/cam software for generating the g-code. Anyone with any information?

James Dunn(nuts)

[JaneRyan]

These were the most directly related links I could find. The first two are USA based and the second two are overseas. The boxford site is www.boxford.co.uk

http://mid-atlantictraining.com/Boxford/duete.html
http://www.advancedtechnologies.net/...s/boxford.html
http://www.genetron.com.sg/dnt/cncmachines.htm
http://www.technologysupplies.co.uk/...l_Machine.html

https://hobarts.com/[/QUOTE]

[vmax549]

TXCOWDOG do you have a picture of the main control board or a model #of the step drivers. I am working on a boxford TCL160 and was wondering if the boards are similar. So far I have mapped out the functions and with a new interface board and speed control board from Bob Campbell designs, it looks to be an easy fix. Most of what was in the cabinet is now gone. I will run it on Mach3 Turn. Terry Parker

[txcowdog]

vmax

Sorry for the delay. I am a manufacturer and the Christmas season keep me slammed to the wall with work. Give me a couple more days and I run that down for you. Thanks for your interest in my project.

[vmax549]

Let me know when you are ready. Terry

[morganblack]

i have two of these machines as well
both have the controllers but the machines take a werd sereal cable that is custom. i havent been able to get the machine to comunicate with the computer yet but i hope to
i have the version 4 software if anyone wants it
it cost me 25 pownds sterling cince it is no longer supported
im currious about retrofitting these machines cince they work as a mill and a lathe..... any info would be great as well as maby starting a support goup!
there a cool little machine that have allot of potential if i could ever get them running
word!

[Controller]

Hi I have just bought one of these and I will be modifying it with new cabling and I think it needs better software, does anyone have circuit diagrams, cabling information, command structure etc also why does it have a serial and parrallel connection to the duet controller? I suspect it uses the parrallel port for stepping the motors is this true? fairly badly informed at the momment but when I get more info will report back.

[Controller]

Hi
The cable on the Duet is a NULL modem cable the motor control is via parallel and boxford won't tell me the serial commands or the baud rate that the Duet uses, I can't think of how much more unhelpful they could be apart from telling me to p*** *ff, But help or no help I will be putting a RS232 break out box on and will trap all the commands to and from the DUET so there!, their documentation is quite comprehensive in that they do supply a circuit diagram so make sure you get the documentaion with the Lathe/Mill.

[morganblack]

i am in the process of getting one of my duets to work. i have made a custom sereal cable ( null modem cable ) thanks controller! and the machine is comunicateing with the computer. due to the fact that i am running in a windows 98 platform boxford gave me a memory fix that will reduce the memory from 32 mb to 64k.
the problem is i dont know where the CONFIG.SYS section of the shortcut \boxford\duetm\main.exe ?
if anyone knows what im talking about please help me out
or if anyone has a coppy of the software v5 or better i would be intersted in a coppy. if anyone needs a coppy of v4 i have it.
thanks
mb

[binraker]

I have just bought on of theses machines and downloaded the V6.03 software. it is not communicating though. I am probably being a bit silly in that I am using an XP laptop with a USB to serial adaptor. I have also noticed that all the stepper drivers are dead since the little status lights come on in all the wrong order (diagonally opposite lights or all 4 are on at once) so i am running it with the steppers disconnected at the moment.
Does the serial port need to me set up first or will the boxford software do that? Ideally I would like to write some new software to send a stream of nc codes to the machine. there is of course the option of pulling the ROM out of it and writing new firmware since it is only an 8032 in there (although the there is also a PLD in there too doing something i haven't figured out yet)

I have been taking lots of pictures which i will put up on flickr in the next few days should anyone be interested.

P

[Controller]

Hi
If you need the manuals I have copies, I am presently converting the Duet to work with Mach3, The usb to serial should work but they can be fussy, V6 has a setting for the COM port and XP uses emulation to drive the COM port, if you go to Mach3 software you probably don,t need to write any new software the on board software only contols the spindles and safety switches all step motors are controlled through the parallel port if there's a problem with the stepper drive this will probably be hard ware. To initialise the Duet you send Duet.dat which is a program for the 8032 so if you wished to program the 8032 it is just a matter of changing the Duet.dat .The serial cable used is a NULL modem cable, try sending Duet.dat via Terminal 9200 8 bits 1 stop no parity two LED's should flash as it downloads. I haven't much time at the momment but will reply when I can.
PS which version of Duet do you have 1 or 2?

[Controller]

Hi
Log on to the Mach 3 site and you will see more about controlling the Duet by serial
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php

[binraker]

Thanks for the response.

Right, after some fiddling the thing is talking to my computer. one null modem adaptor made up and the boxford software will control spindle, detect the guard and E-stop and spindle speed. However the stepper motor control does not work. The board works (i have tried stepping by unplugging the cable from the processor board and pulsing the input pins to the board and the motors move. so it would appear that the processor board is not sending signals to move the axis. also the 4 little leds do not light up in the same patterns as they do when there is no motor connected. but I'm not sure if that is important) I have also noted that the l293E drivers are a little underrated and get very toasty with no fan so a chunk of ally is now sitting on top of them to stop them frying.

A copy of the manual would be excellent. preferably a scanned copy if possible. I have a Mk1 unit with the big grey box PSU.

Pics at http://www.flickr.com/photos/binrake...7602815870945/