Re: Separate X-Y Table or Rotary X-Y Table for CNC use?

Joe,

This is an excellent way to go. I don't know why more discussion
about this has not taken place.

Several posters have noted the lower cost import tables are crap (and
most are). Even a good one would present all sorts of problems in
mounting ball screws. But there are ready made tables from people
like Thomson, Setco, Gilman, made to whatever degree of precision
you're willing to pay for with whatever type of lead screws you
want. Several times I've seen these precision tables at places that
deal in surplus electronics, one place in particular is Triangle
Machinery in San Jose (it's been a few years, hopefully they're still
there).

My preference would be to make my own X-Y table using some flat
ground plate and linear rails. Alignment and mouting of screws is
almost a no-brainer since all your reference surfaces are flat. Jon
A is doing this for his lathe, maybe he can add to this discussion.

thanks,

Doug

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., Joe Burns <machinetool@s...> wrote:
> First, let me say that I'm here mainly for the DRO stuff, but the
CNC stuff
> has been quite interesting.
>
> Instead of doing a full CNC conversion to my Bridgeport, would it
be
> possible to buy one of those imported X-Y tables & use it for the
CNC
> stuff. (I have thought of a good solution for the Z-axis.) I've
also seen
> rotary tables with a little X-Y travel in them that would be a good
start
> to a 4-axis machine, but only for small parts. It seems like with
the
> smaller tables, the torque would be less, so smaller motors would
work
> etc. It seems like it would work - or am I missing something?