Precix Retrofit Project

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22 Jul 2026 19:51 #347965 by csec0128
Precix Retrofit Project was created by csec0128
I am decently new to the building of CNC's. I successfully built a smaller 4x4 machine that I also had to retrofit, but that's for another time.

With this, I just picked up a Precix CNC machine from a local sign shop. I came across a forum that did something similar to what I am after, but mainly looking for more input on the wiring and new retro components. I will need. I have a photo showing the overall machine when I moved it (about a week ago from this post). With that, I started taking photos and removing the components I knew I needed replaced. Those would mainly be just the computer and components they had in there for the computer (motherboard of the PC, RAM, and various input items such as VGA plug-ins). All other components, such as the amplifier, power supplies, relays, and motion cards, are all still in the computer box if you will. 

I have various photos of the internals as well as the spindle and axis motors. I can share those once I get them uploaded.

With that, I have heard of the Mesa cards working with the DC servo motors and amplifier my machine has. Looking into pinouts, wiring diagrams and other items I may need to complete this. I have a spare PC I will be using LinuxCNC on to power it and bring it to the modern world. 

Any help to work through this would be greatly appreciated!
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22 Jul 2026 20:55 #347967 by PCW
Replied by PCW on topic Precix Retrofit Project
A picture or part number of the motor drives would help
determine what interface hardware was needed.

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23 Jul 2026 14:15 #347995 by csec0128
Replied by csec0128 on topic Precix Retrofit Project
These are some of the photos I have so far. Working through getting the PC portion out of it, as I have a spare, more modern PC I want to use in it. 

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23 Jul 2026 14:59 #347997 by PCW
Replied by PCW on topic Precix Retrofit Project
Looks like the servo drive is a Copley 800-468, and older 3 Axis drive.
I suspect it's an analog velocity mode drive but its old enough that is
hard to find data on the drive. Was any documentation included with the machine?

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23 Jul 2026 15:44 #348001 by csec0128
Replied by csec0128 on topic Precix Retrofit Project
These are the nameplates on the drive motors, plus a list of documentation for what came with the machine. Plus, that is the first page of the amplifier, I believe. It's a 3-channel drive/amplifier from what I have gathered. I can send all other pages if needed. 
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23 Jul 2026 18:31 #348005 by PCW
Replied by PCW on topic Precix Retrofit Project
To do a LinuxCNC retrofit (with existing servo drive and motors) you would need to know
the pinout of the 25 pin connector between the old controller and servo drive.

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27 Jul 2026 14:51 #348100 by csec0128
Replied by csec0128 on topic Precix Retrofit Project
Yeah I am wokring on trying to find a wiring diagram or more details on the wiring and electronic side to be able to do that. Again, I know a guy on here did something similar, but his was a bit different than mine. 

This was his post he had: www.forum.linuxcnc.org/27-driver-boards/...cix-5x10-cnc?start=0 maybe the auther,  randypetersen  could help out? 

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27 Jul 2026 20:01 #348113 by PCW
Replied by PCW on topic Precix Retrofit Project
That retrofit seems to use individual drives. The real issue if you want to use
you combined 3 axis drive is to obtain/determine the pinout of the 25 pin interface
connector on your drive (or controller).

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28 Jul 2026 01:48 #348117 by NWE
Replied by NWE on topic Precix Retrofit Project
For what it's worth, I contacted Copley Controls sales. They said they couldn't help me on that obsolete model, but provided a datasheet on a similar 4113 model. If it can be proved the pinout matches this might help.
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28 Jul 2026 12:46 #348130 by csec0128
Replied by csec0128 on topic Precix Retrofit Project
Yes. This is actually one of the hard copies I currently have. Mainly looking for additional details for the other components, especially the control board for these machines.

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