New to forum, Just purchased a Biesse 321

Hey to all that come before me. I am new to this world but have been looking at CNC for more than a year. I purchased a Zenbot about a year ago. I have been able to draw things in Fusion, send them to the CNC and the machine did everything I told it to. Like some of you, I have crashed the head into whatever I should have been drilling, and have learned from the mistakes I made so far.

I knew when I bought the Zenbot that it was a stepping stone. I purchased someone else's old machine so that I didn't have to do it all. The hardware functioned adequately, but I knew that before long that I wanted something that could do more. I wanted to control the spindle speed to make sure that my chip load was correct. The Hitachi router was lacking here. I wanted didn't want the hassle and the time sink of changing tools.

And who wouldn't want more power?

I have a three-car shed. It is really a garage, but it hasn't had a car in it since the Zenbot arrived and after the Biesse 321 arrives, there will be barely enough room to walk around in it until the Zenbot leaves. I have a couple of shapers, a few table saws, never enough clamps, and now I can truly say that I have enough projects. (and 1 too many CNC machines)

I purchased the Biesse at auction for $1600 yesterday and started digging into the forum last night. My new PC is in my shopping cart at Amazon and I can honestly say that after reading the success of the members of this forum. I am confident that this 20-year-old machine is one of the best purchases I have ever made.

I won't see the documentation until next week, so I won't be asking any specific questions. I have a lot to read, so as others have asked before me, any pointers in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. I know that Mesa cards are held in high regard, I have downloaded their manuals and have started into them as well.

If any of you with Biesse 321's want to pass along any words of wisdom, I am all ears!

Luke

Sounds familiar. Pretty much what I did but with a rover 23.
Don't do what I did and pull the thing to pieces. At least one user on here has done a 100% retrofit with all the functions working. Most of my issues so far have been self inflicted.
The amount of wiring and electronics in these things is immense. Just take your time and read the manual.

Thanks,

The amount of wiring and electronics in these things is immense. Just take your time and read the manual.

I am stuck in a bit of limbo as I try and find a trucker to agree to bring me the machine, so no manuals yet. I am told that all of them are coming with the machine.

Don't do what I did and pull the thing to pieces. At least one user on here has done a 100% retrofit with all the functions working. Most of my issues so far have been self inflicted.

My current mindset is to perform a 100% retrofit. I am sure by the time I finish, I will consider all of the safety lockouts a PITA, but I am really interested in having a machine for many years. The best way to understand the system is to tear it apart and put it back together one piece at a time. I also am not in a hurry. As much as I would like this to be up and running in a month, I won't be working on it full time.

Current thoughts on configuration are as follows...

Main Box
7I92, 7I77 7I74
Head Unit
7I70 and 7I71
Tool Changer
7I70 and 7I71
Vacuum Pods
7I84

I have a PC on order and I have ordered the first two Mesa cards. I bought the 7i92M and the 7I77. I was not sure if I needed a source or a sink card, I figured it was easier to drive relays by sinking current.

The vintage of the machine is 1998, and I am not exactly sure what I have. I couldn't help myself, so I have already bought the ethernet interface and the IO board to get started.

Thanks again,
Luke