I’ve been using this old PEAR CNC machine for many years now.
It was one of the first computer-controlled industrial CNC machines to be made available on the market and, in spite of its age, it’s still a valid tool for some kinds of mechanical prototype production.
Sadly, last winter the motion controller decided to lose all the parameters memorized in the RAM for the umpteenth time, and considering how much it would cost to have the controller repaired by the manufacturer, I decided it was time to renovate and upgrade the whole machine with our new cnc4fun elctronic boards.
The original DC motors were quite old (almost 30 years) and not compatible with the new controller, so I decided to replace them with new brushless ones, which are also much better in terms of performance.
I made new mounting flanges and some 3D-printed cable adapters to fit the new motors to the existing motor compartments.
First tests on the motors
3D printing of an adapter
I only had a basic schematic diagram of the original CNC machine, which was not very detailed: due to this, I had to do an accurate “scavenger hunt” of the connection in order to understand how to rewire the machine with the new electronic boards and motors.
The original motion controller and the original drives were mounted inside two separate chassis. I replaced the two old chassis with my own simplified one, which supports all the new electronics.
After all these mechanical and dimensional adaptations, the time has finally come to install and rewire all the new hardware to the CNC.
The cnc4fun boards also include a new powerful user control panel, which is housed in a UV-printed custom-made laser cut box.
Testing the control interface
Testing the control interface
The PEAR CNC retrofit and upgrade is complete with the addition of a new zeroing sensor!
Testing the zeroing sensor
Testing the tool measure sensor and procedure
Testing the movements
Mist command
Testing the movements
Testing the tool changer
WOW, Super impressed with your project. Are your boards going to be available for sale?
Hi! Yes it will be available soon!