Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Timing Belts vs. Rack and Pinion drive

Many large machines built for special purposes use large bicycle style
chains. It is easy to use a single axle with two sprockets to prevent
skew, and they are accurate enough for your purposes. Anchor one end to a
metal plate or bar and use die springs to tension the other end. You can
use idler sprockets and loop the chain around the drive sprocket, but light
loads usually don't require this.

ted

At 07:41 AM 10/24/00 -0500, you wrote:

>
>As for the timing belt drive I think that as long as the length between
>pitches is consistent any cumulative errors or stretch can be
>compensated for with software. When driving the gantry from both sides
>the trick is to get the belt tension equal on both sides.
>
>I only need .060" accuracy over 10', but it is a challenge to try to do
>better.
>
>Terry
>