Small Machine CNC

I'm adding my contribution to the small machine list. CAD_CAM_DRO_EDM has
been one of my major sources of information and I would like to thank every
one for sharing their knowledge and aspirations.

My machine is a Unimat SL mill/lathe conversion. Modifications include
thrust bearings and homemade anti backlash nuts (a variation on the hot
dog-hamburger style) on X and Y stock 1mm pitch lead screws. The Z axis
has a worm gear operating the original quill mechanism, with gravity
handling the backlash. Motors are an assortment of $5 surplus 23's,
measured torque of 50 - 70 ounce inch. The controller is a L/R bipolar
built from plans included with Dancam and a 36v supply, also good as a
small space heater :-) A homemade worm gear cut with a tap and a motor from
a floppy provide a rotary axis controled with a 297/298 controller.
Using Cncpro it manages rapids of 300 mm/m for the table and 200 mm/m for
Z. I use Amapi and Rhino with StlWork for 3D work and what little 2D I do
is handled with Ace converter. I mill wax for investment casting jewellery
models, with the lathe variation doing some metal work using the cnc as
power feed and DRO. Over all I'm happy with the results, but the next one
is going to be bigger and faster.

Jeff Demand
http://www.aztec-net.com/~jdemand