Re: Acme, ball screw or rack for wood router?

Considering that rack, belt and chain drive will all hold .002 and
perhaps down to .001, while you only need .010 means that the expense
and added complexity of ballscrews isn't warranted. Ballscrews and
leadscrews really belong in the non dusty environment of metalworking
machines. In the list archives somewhere is a description of a
commercially made chain drive large gantry router capable of high
speeds at .002. The manufacturers of this well reputed machine
eventually went to rack drive, despite comparable accuracy between
chain and rack. They only changed due to marketplace perceptions that
rack was better. That decision was purely a marketing choice.




As for dust extractors, none are technically perfect and some
ultrafine dust will occur. Not only is this a mechanical nuisance but
its also a health hazard, which can be extremely hazardous depending
on specific wood species (or resins present in manmade boards). Have a
look at any commercial woodshop with the huge inbuilt extractors, they
are all dusty to some extent.




Regards


Bob thomas

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "caudlet" <info@t...> wrote:


> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "ddgman2001" <sheldon@d...>


> wrote:


> > What is the best drive system for a wood router considering the


> dusty


> > environment?


>


> Totally depends on your objectives. I use my wood router to do


> complex carving and sign work. Deep carves require several passes


> that have to register pretty close. So in thousands of moves I have


> to be able to hold .010 or better or it will show in the carving and


> take a lot of handwork to clean it up. If on the other hand you are


> cutting out furniture parts and large panels then less tolerance is


> acceptable. You need to select your drive mechanism based on the


> finish product you want to turn out.


>


> I agree with the other members about using rack and pinion or even


> chain drive for lower tolerance applications. Yes, dust is a
problem


> but with adequate dust extraction at the cutting point and proper


> shielding of the drive mechanisms and ways, its a problem that can
be


> solved. They make bellows and way covers that accordian up for both


> the ways and/or the ballscrews themselves. The material is not
cheap


> running 30 to 35 bucks a linear foot but for extreme environments
its


> cheap insurance.


>


> Giving some thought to where you mount the ways and drive components


> out of the direct path of flying chips will go a long way in


> reducing problems.


>


> As for speed, I found that while it's nice to have rapids that are
as


> fast as possible the type of cutting (often using .125 or .0625
bits)


> I am doing limits my speeds to 60IPM or less except for large areas


> doing roughing cycles.