Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Mill/Drill CNC Conversion

Jeff,

Where in Cincinnati? I live there also, in Amberley. I would love to see
your CNC mill/drill sometime.

Daniel J. Statman, Statman Designs
www.statmandesigns.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "jeffswayze" <jswayze@...>
To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2002 6:19 PM
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Mill/Drill CNC Conversion


> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., Alan Marconett KM6VV
> <KM6VV@a...> wrote:
> > 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
>
> Basically what I did was to measure EVERYTHING on the mill
> first and make drawings (no CAD yet, but I'll create and post
> them in the future.) I had to take the table apart and put it together
> 3 or 4 times, but I must say I got pretty good at it by the end. Not a
> big deal, really.
>
> > drawings of the parts? I'd also like to get a rough idea of the
> prices
> > for the ballscrews and angular bearings.
>
> Bearings were about $12 each (and I may have a few left over, if
> you're interested), ballscrews were $?? from Reid Tool
> (McMaster-Carr is about $1.00/inch, Reid was cheaper) Ball nuts
> were about $23 each, but they are not pre-loaded
> (non-backlash). The pre-loaded ones are about $160 (!) each.
> For my initial test of the Y-axis, there was no discernable
> backlash, but I'll have to wait to put an indicator on the table
> before I know the exact backlash number.
>
> >
> > You had to bore the ends of the ballscrews? What does this
> involve?
>
> Actually a piece of cake. I cut the screws to length (it comes as
> one piece) on a cut-off saw, then used my 7x12 mini-lathe to drill
> and bore a hole in the end. For the longer (X-Axis) screw I had
> my friend bore the holes on his large lathe.
>
> > 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?
>
> You can order the screws pre-cut and machined, but it's fairly
> expensive, and being the frugal (and now broke) home
> machinist I decided to do everything myself. The stub shafts take
> the place of the machined ballscrew ends and have features for
> keyways, bearing diameters, and threads. Though you could
> attach the two together with a shaft-lock compound from Locktite,
> I chose to pin mine together with a roll pin. I had to use a solid
> carbide center drill to get the hole started in the ball screw, but it
> did a pretty good job.
>
> >
> > 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?
>
> I'm in Cincinnati, OH.
>
> Good luck!
>
> -Jeff
> >
> >
> > 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
>
>
> Addresses:
> FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
> FILES: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/files/
>
> Post messages: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
> Subscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
> Unsubscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> List owner: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-owner@yahoogroups.com, wanliker@...
> Moderator: jmelson@... timg@... [Moderator]
> URL to this page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO
> bill,
> List Manager
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>