Re: Stepper cnc retrofit ? For Tape-O-Matic

You do not give to much information about your machine. Very few of
us know what a tape-o-matic is.

1) Do you have zero backlash ballscrews.

2) What pitch are your screws.

3) Is your Z axis powered now. If it is, is it zero backlash.

4) Are your steppers driving your screws using cog belts. If so
what ratio do you have.

5) What do you want to use this machine for.

6) Is speed an issue.

7) I am under the impression this machine was primarily designed to
be a drilling machine. Is this true. Or was it designed to mill
metal.


Wally K.


--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@egroups.com, Robert Allen & Marsha Camp
<mcamp@t...> wrote:

>
>
>
> I thought I'd ask here as this seems to be the place for
> inexpensive cnc discussion. I am getting ready to
> retrofit a like new
> (mechanically) 1967 Pratt & Whitney Tape-O-Matic 2 axis
> mill/ drilling machine, 3 hp spindle, with new motion
> control on the X &Y
> axis. I have 400 in. oz. 5 wire unipolar steppers on the
> table now which are OK, the controller is garbage.
> Based on the info I have that I can buy (2) 720 in. oz. motors

($250 ea.), (3) drives (gecko), and CNC Pro software ($550 for

> software and drives) for $1050 and estimate $300 for power supply.
>
> My questions are:
> 1. Can/should I keep the motors?
> 2. Is steppers the best way to go for lowest cost when performance

isn't critical?

> 3. Any suggestions for lowering cost?
> 4. Any experience with any of this equipment/software?
> Thanks in advance
> Bob