G0678 CNC Conversion Build Log

[Bill Shields]

Ball screws are what they are. You must get past that hurdle, or there is little point.

Quill is a better choice for tool feed.

[joedexter]

Gotta agree with that. So not wanting to reinvent the wheel here, has someone got specs and or a supplier previously used for ball screws for G0678? Random searches on internet are not fruitful.

[Bill Shields]

My experience with these cases is that I have designed my own and had them made using standard ball screws / nuts -

companies take 'long lengths' of ball screw rod and machine the head / tail on them for you to order.

last set I ordered was from HiWin in Ohio. - no complaints or associations

they sell retrofit kits for many mills - XY table only.

[joedexter]

Thanks Bill, I’ll follow up on this, eventually I’m responsible for my own errors…

[Bill Shields]

Is real world attitude not shared by many these days.

[joedexter]

Hiwin certainly are easy to deal with and willing to serve customers well.
Next step is stepper motors. I want dual shaft so I can manually control when desired. NEMA 34 1200 oz look about right. Starting to think about integrating the software drivers now. Linux or Mach4? (Here it comes….)

[rrnut-2]

Look at the Centroid Acorn, better support.

Jim B

[joedexter]

G0678 CNC conversion
Anyone want to comment on carrier and thrust bearing for X axis. I plan on putting drive motor on right hand side and keeping LHS pretty much as OEM setup. Ball screw nut/holder as location as OEM.

[Bill Shields]

Back to back angular balls on drive end.

Float on the other

Specific thrust not used

[joedexter]

That makes it easier. Thanks Bill

[joedexter]

I’m looking for ideas to fabricate a drive for the Z axis. Does anyone have pictures of how this might be done? I’m starting with the Z axis of the CNC conversion as it appears the be the most challenging.