RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] CNC conversion, what does it really cost??

The poster of the message I replied to said he already purchased the ball
screws so I did not include that cost. Actually you can run a machine just
fine on acme screws using CNC. I agree that you may have some additional
backlash or if you use double nuts it may take some regular adjustment, but
for someone that just wants to get a machine up and running it will work
fine. I ran my Shoptask as a CNC setup on the acme screws while I was making
my ball screw conversion and it worked great. OK, I can get faster rapids
with the ball screws, but the acmes were fine.

Regarding the pulleys and belts, the Shoptask comes with the pulleys and I
forgot to include the belts, so add $8.

Tim
[Denver, CO]

> You forgot ball screws. $$$
> Belts and Pulleys $$
>
> Tim Goldstein wrote:
>
> > You can definitely do the job for the price you want to
> stay within. Get 3
> > axis worth of the Camtronics 5 amp driver kits. Make a
> power supply from a
> > transformer, cap, and bridge. Get 3 - 350 in/oz or bigger
> NEMA 34 steppers
> > from Camtronics. If you want to save money and be
> adventuresome setup EMC
> > for free or you can buy CNCPro. For a DXF to gcode
> converter you can get a
> > number of low cost or shareware packages. That would get
> you a complete
> > setup for about the following pricing:
> > Drivers $230
> > Motors $475
> > PS $ 50
> > CNCpro $175
> > Misc $100
> > Total $1030
> >
> > Tim
> > [Denver, CO]
> >
> > > After looking at more than a few web sites and getting
> > > more and more
> > > confused as to what I really need I'd like to get a ballpark
> > > figure from
> > > someone that's been-there-done-that.
> > >
> > > The machine is question is a Shoptask 3-in-1, as stated in a
> > > previous message, I'm getting ball screws next week (I'll have to
> > > machine/modify them myself for my tool)
> > >
> > > So the next step is motor selection and drives and
> > > power supplies
> > > and software I gather?
> > > I already use Pro/E for my design/drafting, but I
> know I'll need
> > > software to read or convert the files to G-code.
> > >
> > > As with most on this list, I'd like to stay within a
> > > certain price
> > > range. Could I put together something for $600-$1000 for 3 axis?
> > > I already have an extra Pentium based computer so that
> > > part should
> > > be covered.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Mike Mueller

> > FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html