Bridgeport Romi EZ path info thread - compiled

[GovasIndustries]

Hey everyone, long time lurker and first time poster. I want to just say that this thread will be an ongoing project as those contribute, i'm far from an EZ path expert but having run all versions of the EZ path (EZ Path 1, S and SD) I feel I should try to give back anyway I can. Many wont need this info or already know, but if this thread gets one person out of a jam then it is worth writing.

I have noticed that the Bridgeport Romi EZ path threads are, at best, scattered with info. So I have decided to make a thread with all the knowledge everyone can gather, so in the future anyone can reference this "database" of real world experience to help solve some EZ path problems.

I would like to update this OP and the following few posts with info over time as we compile information, to keep information easy to find.


I would like to start with, that ROMI supports the iron on these and a place called EMI bought this control from BP, and so they support all the software/boards/control side of these machines. They are extremely helpful and have a killer service department. 15/10, would recommend

These lathes came in many configurations, but one of the better setups you could get was an EZ PATH S/SD with an AIRDEX tool turret and a pnumatic chuck. It was nearly a slant bed that had manual capabilities. The airdex changers had alot of problems though, and so they are very hard to come by these days (speaking out of experience). The S/SD's had CSS, a VFD driven spindle motor, and a few extra M codes to support the extra features. The chip guard was also higher-up for the operator, with the handles on an apron that slid on a track, allowing the tool post to be at Z0 and the controls at Z34.



Most EZ Paths were the EZ Path 1, which had a manual gear driven speeds and no capability to add an automated turret or pnumatic chuck. Solid iron, but limited for larger runs. The controls were attached to the table, so unlike the S/SD, they'd get soaked in chips/coolant and if you needed to operate with the door open, you could forget using the coolant.

There was a slew of other features between the two, but thats not what this thread is here for

The last software version released was 2.5, and floppy drives with the reboot software is available through EMI. 150 bucks gets you the latest version, plus two extra copies on disc, as well as software to reboot in case of a hard drive crash.

You can view your programs in G code if you so wish. Its available in the utilities menu, I'll grab notes from the shop and post here how to do so.

Through this same DOS menu you can access backlash parameters, system errors, and fault logs. Helpful to diagnose those pesky "following error limit exceeded" codes (more on these later)

Programs on the EZ path are saved as PGM files, however you may import a written CAM file as a txt file. No real need, the control is intuitive enough to make writing at the machine faster than camming and exporting to the machine.

COMMON PROBLEMS, culminated among users:

-EZ Path S/D:

-Tailstock out of alignment. Common, cant speak as to why. Most have shimmed to overcome this


-EZ Path 1 -

Tips, Tricks and other EZPath nuances

Radius... EZPath uses IJK BS to do radii. The easiest way to get your number is simple trig to find your Z arc center. I'll post examples in the coming days.

Homing - There is a way to move the table before homing the machine (in case of power outage, etc). Disclaimer, I have only done this on an S, I dont know if it will work on an SD or EZpath 1. More notes to be added.


I know there is much much more to add, this is only the start. Anything someone can add is welcome, and as you all see much of this is still blank. So any questions, fire away. I have more to add once I bring home some notes, but in the meantime, it'll be posted.

-Chad

 

[markp]

Great idea. I just got a 2001 ezpath SL based on romi m27 iron. Low usage unit now sorted out and making good parts. Mine has the duplomatic 8 station turret. Ive learned a few things in getting it setup. Will try to post anything helpful.

 

[tarzan63]

It appears that this thread is dead. But if you are still willing to help a guy figure an Ezpath s out.
I would very much like to get some help with a couple of things.

First is, My machine doesn't appear to have a floppy.
It's a 1998 machine. And it has two different size DB connectors on the side of the controller. There is a disc in the slot on the inside of the door that has a floppy in it with the EZPath software. How does that work?

I am trying to diagnose why the machine sometimes will throw a message(GP Fault fatal error or no bdmc desktop) and then it stops running. Sometimes it will come back after a re-powerup and sometimes it takes days to get it to come back up.

I have had the machine for a couple years and have only made two parts on it so far. I just need to get it fixed.
I've had a couple repair guys look at it and neither one has been able to pin it down. The last time halfway through
testing everything he turned the main switch on and the machine came up normal. So he could go no further. Its getting expensive, but I'm not letting this thing win.lol

 

[markp]

Remember, these machines are old 90's PCs with machine tools connected to them. Anything you can do to make life comfortable for the PC is good. Check the power supply outputs. I recommend reseating the boards in the PC and applying stabiliant fluid to the connectors. Also, the backplane does not support the front of the bdmc card or the front of the single board computer. I put a strip of foam on the top of the PC chassis cover so it pushes on the top of the card. Have you tried contacting EMI?

 

[tarzan63]

I did replace the power supply with a used one from eBay awhile back. That seemed to work for a couple days, but I’m not sure if that was really the problem or not as the machine started working when the last repairman was here.
The first repair guy replaced the spindle drive with one from EMI when trying to fix a problem with the dynamic resister overheating.The rebuilt drive was $2500 and did not fix that problem. That one turned out to be that the transformer was tapped for the wrong voltage.

The randomly stopping and throwing the GPAUF error message has been going on since I bought it a couple years ago.

The backplane looks worn. I and both technicians all have reseated the boards at least once. I have never been able to get it to come back up as a result of reseating the boards however. It seems to come back up through shutting down and powering up over time. Sometimes right away. Sometimes not for weeks.

It seems too me(one who is definitely not a computer repair tech) that the bmdc or the motherboard may be at fault.

I was just looking online at Centroid controls. I am going to call them and see what changing the control over will cost. It appears that I may be able to convert it for less than $3000, which is a lot of money to me, but a machine that doesn’t run is even more expensive in the long run.

 

[GovasIndustries]

It appears that this thread is dead. But if you are still willing to help a guy figure an Ezpath s out.
I would very much like to get some help with a couple of things.

First is, My machine doesn't appear to have a floppy.
It's a 1998 machine. And it has two different size DB connectors on the side of the controller. There is a disc in the slot on the inside of the door that has a floppy in it with the EZPath software. How does that work?

I am trying to diagnose why the machine sometimes will throw a message(GP Fault fatal error or no bdmc desktop) and then it stops running. Sometimes it will come back after a re-powerup and sometimes it takes days to get it to come back up.

I have had the machine for a couple years and have only made two parts on it so far. I just need to get it fixed.
I've had a couple repair guys look at it and neither one has been able to pin it down. The last time halfway through
testing everything he turned the main switch on and the machine came up normal. So he could go no further. Its getting expensive, but I'm not letting this thing win.lol

Anything but dead, friend! Just been a busy season lol.

So they all had RS-232's, as for the other connector, is it a DB9? I dont have access to an S to check.

It sounds like your motherboard is on its way out, however before replacing it I'd suggest reloading all the software you found on that drive. The machine came with a floppy drive - on an S its located on the head, by the keyboard. If it does not have it, then someone removed it for some reason.

There should be three discs with the BDMC software, the tool library, and another one to boot DOS (if i remember correctly). You need all three to do this correctly, otherwise dont do it at all.

Removing connectors and boards is a risky proposition, these machines are 20-30 years old and unplugging fragile connectors/wires can bring its own set of issues. So, unless you have a reason to unplug it, I wouldnt.

Try going into the PFM and see what error codes are present. This can help narrow it down, and if we cant solve it here, at least you'll have the info for when you call EMI

 

[willbilly]

Other Stuff

Hey everyone, long time lurker and first time poster. I want to just say that this thread will be an ongoing project as those contribute, i'm far from an EZ path expert but having run all versions of the EZ path (EZ Path 1, S and SD) I feel I should try to give back anyway I can. Many wont need this info or already know, but if this thread gets one person out of a jam then it is worth writing.

I have noticed that the Bridgeport Romi EZ path threads are, at best, scattered with info. So I have decided to make a thread with all the knowledge everyone can gather, so in the future anyone can reference this "database" of real world experience to help solve some EZ path problems.

I would like to update this OP and the following few posts with info over time as we compile information, to keep information easy to find.


I would like to start with, that ROMI supports the iron on these and a place called EMI bought this control from BP, and so they support all the software/boards/control side of these machines. They are extremely helpful and have a killer service department. 15/10, would recommend

These lathes came in many configurations, but one of the better setups you could get was an EZ PATH S/SD with an AIRDEX tool turret and a pnumatic chuck. It was nearly a slant bed that had manual capabilities. The airdex changers had alot of problems though, and so they are very hard to come by these days (speaking out of experience). The S/SD's had CSS, a VFD driven spindle motor, and a few extra M codes to support the extra features. The chip guard was also higher-up for the operator, with the handles on an apron that slid on a track, allowing the tool post to be at Z0 and the controls at Z34.

View attachment 227914

Most EZ Paths were the EZ Path 1, which had a manual gear driven speeds and no capability to add an automated turret or pnumatic chuck. Solid iron, but limited for larger runs. The controls were attached to the table, so unlike the S/SD, they'd get soaked in chips/coolant and if you needed to operate with the door open, you could forget using the coolant.

There was a slew of other features between the two, but thats not what this thread is here for

The last software version released was 2.5, and floppy drives with the reboot software is available through EMI. 150 bucks gets you the latest version, plus two extra copies on disc, as well as software to reboot in case of a hard drive crash.

You can view your programs in G code if you so wish. Its available in the utilities menu, I'll grab notes from the shop and post here how to do so.

Through this same DOS menu you can access backlash parameters, system errors, and fault logs. Helpful to diagnose those pesky "following error limit exceeded" codes (more on these later)

Programs on the EZ path are saved as PGM files, however you may import a written CAM file as a txt file. No real need, the control is intuitive enough to make writing at the machine faster than camming and exporting to the machine.

COMMON PROBLEMS, culminated among users:

-EZ Path S/D:

-Tailstock out of alignment. Common, cant speak as to why. Most have shimmed to overcome this


-EZ Path 1 -

Tips, Tricks and other EZPath nuances

Radius... EZPath uses IJK BS to do radii. The easiest way to get your number is simple trig to find your Z arc center. I'll post examples in the coming days.

Homing - There is a way to move the table before homing the machine (in case of power outage, etc). Disclaimer, I have only done this on an S, I dont know if it will work on an SD or EZpath 1. More notes to be added.


I know there is much much more to add, this is only the start. Anything someone can add is welcome, and as you all see much of this is still blank. So any questions, fire away. I have more to add once I bring home some notes, but in the meantime, it'll be posted.

-Chad

On the 1997 EZPath II in my shop:

The floppy drive is located behind a plexiglass door.
You can view the G-Code generated by the *.pgm by loading the program and pressing - in the Run window.
I've developed a barebones post processor for Autodesk Fusion that I'm currently testing. It's located here if you'd like to try it. Be warned, it's only a prototype. Double and triple check it in the View menu before using.

 

[rx7nut1]

I have an EZ Path 1 at work I run every day. We don't have a maintenance crew or anything so I do all the maintenance on the machines myself. I used to have a BMDC error on my machine and I couldn't figure out why for the longest time. After a few collective hours on the phone with Mark at EMI (amazing company by the way), I finally found that the solder connection on my JP12 port on my AUF card had a voltage spike or something and had melted just enough to lose connectivity. You have to take the AUF card out and flip it over and look at it to find the burned solder joint. All I did was carefully solder the connection back together and it has been working fine ever since. Mine would fluctuate working quite a bit like you were describing so hopefully it leads you in the right direction. I don't know if the AUF cards are the same or even close, but I know what its like to have a non working EZ Path very well so I feel your pain.

 

[jason C]

I recently bought a ez path 1 but haven't hooked it up yet. American rotary ad25. Has anyone moved the drives from the generated leg (L3) to L1 so both cup and drives are on L1 & L2 and L3 (generated leg) is only for the spindle?
Thanks

 

[Gorton22]

I recently bought a ez path 1 but haven't hooked it up yet. American rotary ad25. Has anyone moved the drives from the generated leg (L3) to L1 so both cup and drives are on L1 & L2 and L3 (generated leg) is only for the spindle?
Thanks

I see this is an older posting. I have an ez path 2 and run it on a american rotary adx40 and runs fine. I just made sure all the taps on the transformer were correct. Hope you have been running since your post.

 

[jason C]

I see this is an older posting. I have an ez path 2 and run it on a american rotary adx40 and runs fine. I just made sure all the taps on the transformer were correct. Hope you have been running since your post.

Still not running. The Z servo needs repaired, when that comes back, I'll get back on the setup. I get spindle overload errors with the current setup. Taps have been adjusted. I need to find the wiring order that makes the motor happy, then move the computer and drives away from the generated leg. I've been told by a couple Bridgeport repair specialists that the ez paths are really sensitive to the generated leg.

 

[Bread]

Although the tailstock is fixed, the headstock is adjustable at both ends via jacking screws between the bed ways.

 

[aventtini]

Although the tailstock is fixed, the headstock is adjustable at both ends via jacking screws between the bed ways.

Hi guys , can you please tell me what im doing wrong? I never done a multi pass thread

14 August 2020 - YouTube

 

[Hunterk94]

Hey guys, new to lathes and new to machining as well. We have a Romi Bridgeport ezpath 2 that I’ve been tasked to figure out. I can program simple tasks, but i can’t profile the part, because anytime I put in roughing, i get an error. Does anyone know about this machine that can help me out?

 

[Bread]

Hey guys, new to lathes and new to machining as well. We have a Romi Bridgeport ezpath 2 that I’ve been tasked to figure out. I can program simple tasks, but i can’t profile the part, because anytime I put in roughing, i get an error. Does anyone know about this machine that can help me out?

You have the programming manual?

I'm certainly not an expert as I've crashed many tools on mine (Mostly from not making the tool changes at the correct points in the program). But I will say that after loading a program it helps to use the "view" function to visually see the path that you have created. If you see a rogue line running through the chuck for example, you've got your problem identified. Double and triple check all of your numbers. Decimal places matter

I also do a dry run before running a part. No tools in the toolpost, and I program my start point in the middle of the bed far from the chuck just to make sure the path makes sense.

It's an easy machine once you learn it, but it's not easy to learn it from the programming book. I read mine cover to cover several times. It's usually much faster to do basic operations on a manual lathe, but when you start needing to do small part runs or more complex profiling this machine really shines.

 

[Hunterk94]

Thank you for your response.

I’ve gone through the book and tried following their manual. I can run programs without using start and stop path. But anytime I use path, to try to make more moves without going line to line, all seems well but when I add my roughing block, it always gives me an error on the roughing block sequence when I try to load it. Even when I just try to do the part that the manual walks you through. It’s gotta be something I’m doing but I just can’t figure it out.

 

[fahrphrompuken]

Thanks Chad for starting this EZPath knowledgebase thread!
I had just acquired a '96 EZPath II 20x40 in running condition for the price of scrap. I also have all of the manuals, and a folder of maintenance repair notes going all the way back to date of purchase. I will try to add some of the information contained in the folder on this thread as time permits.

She's filthy dirty and packed full of crud so first thing is to clean her up inside and out.

 

[jpndave]

I am powering up an EZPath SD manufactured 2000. I am running a RPC and the wild/generated leg is high. I would like to set it up so the controls are on the L1/L2 and only motors getting L3. I have the original Operations and Programming Manual (actually for the earlier S model with a supplemental page for the SD range selection) but not install or wiring diagrams. Does anyone have that information or can you help point me in the right direction before I dive into figuring that out?

Thanks in advance.

Dave

 

[Frankljs]

I am powering up an EZPath SD manufactured 2000. I am running a RPC and the wild/generated leg is high. I would like to set it up so the controls are on the L1/L2 and only motors getting L3. I have the original Operations and Programming Manual (actually for the earlier S model with a supplemental page for the SD range selection) but not install or wiring diagrams. Does anyone have that information or can you help point me in the right direction before I dive into figuring that out?

Thanks in advance.

Dave

Did you ever get manuals for the SD? I just picked up an SD as well, if there’s a chance you could send them to me I would be grateful?