Inexpensive servo/stepper motor control? HELP!!

Are there any inexpensive systems for driving 3 or
more axes?
We are now on a very strict budget and thus I have
very little free cash :-(

I have a 3 axis stage that I would like to drive and
make a little CNC system.
I am interested in using Linux (I only run UNIX) to
drive it, but will run Windows if necessary.

Other projects/ideas:
-Semi-automated 2 axis optical telescope mirror
testing stage.
-Optical interferometer on the cheap (!?!?!?)
-Driving a telescope (I know of Mel Bartel's pages).


I have no hardware knowledge, but very good
programming skills.

Sooo... I would like to find a servo controller
systemand appropriate motors capable of driving 3 or
more axes with high precision.

What kind of system can I find/buy for cheap?
What kinds of motors provide good torque (for carrying
10+ Kg on a slide with a lead screw)?
...

I'm hoping to find something surplus, scrap or free,
but no luck so far.
Looking for suggestions.
What about spindle motors for the cutting tool?

I am also looking for really inexpensive grinding
grits for telescope mirror making.
I need a couple Kg of each of:
-25 micron
-15 micron
-9 micron
-5 micron
-3 micron (useful ???)

Thanks.
-Ralph
rpseguin@...


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