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How to Convert a Bridgeport to CNC

Fabricating a metal part is commonly performed with a milling machine. The machine cuts edges and corners along the metal for use in a manufacturing production line. Bridgeport is a company that manufactures manual milling machines, typically designed for hobbyist use. Bridgeport users may want to convert the manual machine into an automatic, computerized device called a CNC, for computer numerical control.

Things You'll Need

CNC conversion kit
2 stepper motors
Allen wrenches
Screwdriver
Screws
Power supply
Motor drive
Computer
25-pin parallel port cable
CNC computer software

Instructions

- 1
  Attach a lead screw pulley from the conversion kit to the Bridgeport's X-axis handle. Secure the pulley with set screws using an Allen wrench.
- 2
  Repeat Step 1 for the Bridgeport's Y-axis handle.
- 3
  Mount two stepper motors onto the Bridgeport machine. Secure both motors close to the X- and Y-axis handles with screws using a screwdriver.
- 4
  Attach a motor pulley, from the conversion kit, to each stepper motor with set screws using an Allen wrench.
- 5
  Slide a drive belt from the conversion kit onto the X-axis motor pulley. Stretch the drive belt and slip the other end onto the lead screw pulley on the X axis.
- 6
  Repeat Step 5 for the Y axis.
- 7
  Connect the motors' electrical wires to a nearby motor drive. Attach the motor drive's lead wires to a power supply.
- 8
  Attach a 25-pin parallel port cable to the drive. Connect the cable̵7;s opposite end to a computer.
- 9
  Install and run a CNC computer software package. The software will vary depending on the machine̵7;s intended use.
- 10
  Test the newly converted machine and computer software on a piece of scrap metal.

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