Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Mill/Drill CNC Conversion

Hi Jeff,

Thanks very much for posting the pix! I've been wanting to get a better
view of what needs to be done to convert the mill. I assume you've got
access to another mill, so that you can make parts without having to put
the mill back together! That's what I was dreading! Have you made CAD
drawings of the parts? I'd also like to get a rough idea of the prices
for the ballscrews and angular bearings.

You had to bore the ends of the ballscrews? What does this involve?
Something that one who's first full sized machine is the RF-31 could
accomplish? I don't yet have a 9x20 lathe. Perhaps the ballscrews can
be ordered that way? Can you explain the "stub shafts" that are
"pinned" in the end of the ballscrews?

This is all "big stuff" to my little shop. SO, my RF-31 will have to
"upgrade" itself!

I suspect that a "RF-31 retrofit kit" such as you've done would be a
good product for this list (and the mill-drill list)!

Alan KM6VV
P.S. What area of the country are located in?


jeffswayze wrote:

>
> Hi Folks,
>
> It's been a while since I've been active on the list but now that my
> son is 13 mos. old I've got a little more time to work on my CNC
> conversion.
>
> For starters, you can check out some pictures I took last night in a
> folder I created in the "Photos" section. Look for "Jeff's Mill-Drill
> CNC Conversion"
>
> Although I've had all the materials for quite some time, I've now
> done the majority of the machining and can start putting things
> together. Last night I was able to assemble the Y-Axis parts and lo
> and behold - it worked! As you can see in the pictures, the system is
> comprised of a bearing housing for the angular contact bearings, a
> 5/8" ballscrew with a stub shaft pinned into the end, a mount for the
> ballnut (to replace the existing Acme nut), the ballnut and a pulley.
> As you can see in the picture of the assembled axis, the stepper
> motor is mounted to the left of the base. I still need to get the
> correct-sized belt, but next to that I'm pretty much done with that
> axis.
>
> For the X-Axis I've made the mount and bored the holes in the ends of
> the ballscrew. I've yet to turn the stub shafts and create a motor
> mount. However, the X-Axis should be pretty easy since I'm planning
> on using the existing thrust bearing mounting holes (my angular
> contact bearings are the same size - woo hoo!) and tightening the
> ballscrew up with nuts at both ends.
>
> If anyone has questions or sees errors, please let me know. I'm
> hoping to have both axes operational by next week, and the stepper
> drivers and software ready by the week after.
>
> I'm definitely going to do a Z-Axis, but not right away. I want to
> get the X-Y working first. If anyone has suggestions on how to drive
> the quill with a stepper, please let me know as well. I've seen Dan
> Mauch's method, and currently my goal is to do something similar.
>
> Enjoy the pictures. I'll update them as I make more progress.
>
> -Jeff Swayze