EZPath Software
Ive obtained a good bit of information on installing software on the EZPath lathe. Ive also obtained copies of the software disks and im going to provide instruction and the files to do a clean install on a machine.
PREFACE: This is being provided for information purposes only, and should only be attempted by someone comfortable performing such an operation on a machine. Performing this software install WILL ERASE ALL CURRENT DATA ON THE MACHINE and is done at your own risk. I make no guarantees that this software will work on your machine.
I’ve installed this software into a virtual machine, but have not installed this into an actual machine. The following information was obtained from a very generous former Bridgeport Tech in the UK and i believe it to be complete, and accurate.
**Proceed with caution and follow all instructions precisely**
Installing the software to the machine is not difficult but you must follow the procedure carefully.
I would highly recommend upgrading the original floppy disk drive to a USB-floppy emulator. I purchased a Gotek model#SFR1M44-U100 emulator from eBay for approximately $40 USD.
This is not required, but it prevents read/write errors from aging drives. The read head can lose adjustment and cause problems. Old floppy drives can be unreliable.
To use the USB flash drive with the USB-Floppy emulator, you will need to download and install the USB-Floppy utility below.
The outline below will detail the install using a USB emulator that has been already installed.
You will also need a small capacity USB flash Drive and a full size keyboard with a PS/2 connector.
Install Guide
Step 1: Download the software Version 2.50.34 install package
Step 2: Read these instructions completely before doing anything to the machine.
Step 3: If your machine is currently operational, i would highly recommend making a backup of the machines hard disk before proceeding, incase the install cannot be completed. In that case, loading the backup will restore the machine to the previous operation. Failure to make a backup, and failure to complete the installation, will result in an inoperable machine.
Step 4: Included in the Software Download, are multiple files.
There is an install outline document that matches this guide, and there are two types of disk images.
The IMG files, are to be directly written to virtual floppy disks, to be used VIA USB to install software on the machine.
The IMZ files, are sometimes needed for writing physical floppy disks.
I’ve included both types, so if needed, they are there. We will only use IMG files in this guide.
Extract the files to a directory on your computer, and remember that location.
Virtual Disk Creation
Click images to enlarge
Step 5: Using Floppy emulator software, we will create virtual floppy disks.
After opening the USB-Floppy Utility, insert your USB flash drive to your computer.
You will see your USB stick in the navigation area on the left side of the screen.
Click the “Format” button in the menu ribbon and follow the prompts.
The default settings are good, I use “quick format” when processing my USB flash drive.
This process will divide your USB Flash drive into 100x virtual 1.44MB Floppy devices. You can write the EZPath software to these disk images.
Step 6: Once formatting is complete, write the software disk images to virtual disks.
Right click the floppy image “000” and select write image file.
Navigate to the extracted disk images, and select the “Service Bulletin 591” IMG file, and click open.
The software will show the image has been written to the virtual disk when the “Used” column reflects 85%.
Repeat this process for virtual disk “001” and “002”, writing images “Disk1.IMG” and “Disk2.IMG” respectively.
When finished, eject the USB stick from your computer.
Hard Disk Partition and DOS Install
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Step 7: Insert the USB flash drive into the Floppy emulator on the machine and turn the machine on.
The machine will boot from the Service “Bulletin 591” disk that was written to Virtual Disk “000”.
This disk formats the drive, and installs DOS operating system to the machine. Follow the prompts to create a primary DOS partition on the machines hard disk.
When complete, the machine will prompt to reboot. Leave the USB flash drive inserted, and it will reboot to the same menu.
Upon reboot, Press ESC to exit FDisk utility and it will prompt you to format the hard disk. Note “ALL DATA WILL BE LOST”
Follow the prompts confirming by pressing “Y” on the keyboard until DOS is successfully installed. It will prompt you to remove the disk and install the CNC software.
EZPath Software Install
Click images to enlarge
Step 8: Remove the flash drive, and turn off the machine. Wait 30 seconds, and power the machine back on.
Step 9: When the machine powers back up, it will ask to verify the date and time, then display the DOS version.
Insert the USB flash drive and press the button on the USB Emulator that the Flash drive is inserted into, until the LED display reads “01”.
This switches the virtual floppy disk on the USB flash drive to disk 01, which is where the EZPath Disk1 image is written.
At this point commands need to be run from the command prompt. It is critical they are entered EXACTLY as written.
Type the following command:
A:\INSTALL.BAT
A prompt will appear confirming the installation of the software. Press any key, and it will install the EZPath Software to the machine.
Once the install finished, and you see the prompt to restart the machine, DO NOT SWITCH POWER TO THE MACHINE, press the button on the USB Emulator to select disk “02” on the LED display which is where Disk2 is written.
Again, Type the following command:
A:\INSTALL.BAT
The machine will inform you that it will install the parameter files for different machines. Press “Y” to continue with the installation.
The machine will prompt for you to select the machine from the list by pressing the corresponding number.
In my case, my machine is a EZPath S, so i will press “2”.
After it copies the parameter file to the hard disk, follow the prompt to remove the flash drive from the USB-floppy emulator, and restart the machine.
EZpath Software Configuration
Step 10: When the machine finishes booting, you should see the EZPath Software. It will perform a BMCD Self-Test with a countdown, and when completed you should see the main screen of the software.
Depending on your exact model of machine, and the options it has, you need to enter the parameter editor and change some parameters.
For Example: My personal machine is equipped with a 8 Position tool turret.
This requires me to change parameters in the machine to recognize and enable that functionality.
Click images to enlarge
Step 11: To enter the parameter editor you will need to bring up a hidden menu by pressing “9” to enter the “UTILS” menu, then press “*” to enter the hidden menu.
When prompted for the password, enter “51443” and press enter. Press “1” to enter “PFM” parameter editor.
When inside the parameter editor, select “edit param file” to get to the machine parameters.
From the information I received from the Bridgeport Tech, Parameters should be set as follows:
Parameter #83: Set to 600
Parameter #84: Set to Zero
Parameter #250: Set to 50
Parameter #208: This parameter enables functionality of things like the tool turret, pneumatic tailstock, and other features.
When you press enter, you will be prompted for different options. After all options are selected, it will set the correct value to the parameter.
For most machines, the answer to all questions will be “Don’t Use”.
For 1SD machines, set only “Use Auto Gear Select”.
At this point the machine should be operational.
Click images to enlarge
Step 12: One last parameter to check is Parameter #71. This parameter controls the spindle output gain. When running spindle, if the RPM displayed on the control doesn’t match the commanded spindle RPM, you can adjust this value to get more accurate spindle RPM.
For Example: If you set RPM to 1000rpm, and the control readout displays 1075, you would lower this number, until spindle RPM Reads as close to 1000rpm as you can get it.
Step 13: After setting parameters, make sure to save changes when exiting.
A shut down and restart of the machine should bring the machine to main screen. Home the machine and test all functions.
Software installation should be complete.