Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Request for ideas for lathe Z axis ballscrew covers

Hi Kim,

Felt wipers work well. Use some form of spring loaded bracket to hold a
piece of felt against the ballscrew, as close to the nut as possible. Any
debris on the ballscrew gets wiped off by the felt pad. If you oil the pad
it keeps the ballscrew lubricated as well.

I fitted felt wipers to a cnc engraver with exposed ballscrews. They are
still working great after 5 years use.

Les

> Hi people.
>
> We've got a lathe retrofitted with ballscrews, servos, etc. It works
> great (outstanding actually) except that the ballscrew is getting
> contaminated with metal filings, etc. This metal is jamming the
> ballnuts.
>
> The Z axis ballscrew is located where the feedrods and lead screw are
> mounted on a conventional lathe. We've got a roof over the screw, but
> debris is still getting on it. When cutting, we've got debris flying
> everywhere.
>
> I'd appreciate any and all ideas for covering the ballscrew. Don't
> forget that a ballnut runs up and down the screw... The best idea we've
> had thus far is an accordion type tube, kind of like the fork covers on
> a motorcycle.
>
> BTW: our Z axis has 40 inches of travel.
> --
> Kim Lux <lux@...>