1993 BRIDGEPORT DISCOVERY 308 VERTICAL MACHINING CENTER

Technical Description

The 1993 Bridgeport Discovery 308 is a 3-axis vertical machining center produced by Bridgeport Machines, Inc., engineered as a compact, high-speed VMC targeting toolroom, mold, and small-part production applications. The machine features a 41.73-inch by 14.76-inch worktable with a table load capacity of 550 lbs and an 8-position automatic tool changer with a CAT 30 or BT 30 spindle taper. The spindle motor delivers approximately 4.5 HP with a maximum speed of 6,000 RPM, suitable for aluminum, brass, and light steel machining. X-axis travel is 17.7 inches, Y-axis travel is 12.2 inches, and Z-axis travel is 16.1 inches. The CNC control is a Bridgeport DX-32, which provides conversational and G-code programming with automatic feed rate and spindle speed control. Feed rates reach up to 295 IPM, with rapid traverse at 472 IPM. The machine features a compact enclosed column design with cast-iron construction throughout. Standard equipment includes flood coolant, automatic lubrication, and work lighting. The Discovery 308 was positioned as an accessible entry-level CNC machining center offering full VMC capability in a compact footprint, making it well suited for educational, toolroom, and small-batch production environments. Overall machine dimensions are approximately 75 inches long by 74 inches wide by 87 inches tall, with a machine weight of approximately 4,740 lbs. The 1993 Discovery 308 is a robust example of Bridgeport's compact VMC engineering from the early 1990s.