Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: X-Y Table, Rotary Table for CNC INFO

Hi Larry

I was intrigued because people come to the shop
and ask If I could design a small (perhaps 20x20)
cnc mill that could cut metal like a Bridgeport
and cost less than $5000... something a hobbyist or
small shop could afford. We are talking about something
much more capable that a shopbot or similar.

I did a cursory check and using every engineering trick
I know, including free EMC software, Gecko 310 or
proprietary h bridge, many trips to Taiwan, etc, the answer
is..... NO. Not as a commercial proposition.

But as a bolt on stage... MAYBE!

But converting old iron can be done for much less....
you would be using hobby sweat equity.

Worried about worn ways? Get a copy of "Machine tool
Reconditioning" and learn to scrape. It's way fun.

Concerned about having to use big motors?
I have 'em. At a low price. Designed for Bridgeport
type machines. Check my "for sale" site below.

Encoders cost about $40 each.

Gecko amps are now about half the price of what was
available before.

Even ballscrews are getting more reasonable... but with
luck you can score a clunker with burned out controls that
already has them.

Les

Currently snowed in (that's why I am posting more today) :^)

Leslie Watts
L M Watts Furniture
Tiger, Georgia USA
http://www.alltel.net/~leswatts/wattsfurniturewp.html
engineering page:
http://www.alltel.net/~leswatts/shop.html
Surplus cnc for sale:
http://www.alltel.net/~leswatts/forsale.html