Re: I need some feedback on using wire rope for driving my x & y axis

> It is all sounding a
> little to extensive to engineer correctly and hope to get

satisfactory

> results, I think I will go with ballscrews.

For a long table you could use an ACME screw between a couple pillow
blocks. pretty easy. one double angle bearing to eleminate axial play.

the screw, say, 1" dia will move the table 3.14159" per revolution.
that means you need one thread for every 3.14159 inches of table
movement plus a few more for the wraps.

5 wraps and 10 thread gives you about 30 inches of movement.

At 5 TPI, that is 3 inces of screw. For 120 inches of table movement
that is about 15 inches of screw. The screw would not bend appreciably
at 15 inches between the bearings because it is so short.

The wire needs to be able to bend at slightly less than the radius of
the screw.

A ball screw over 48 inches will be very expensive because it has to be
so large of a diameter.

For giggles, the wire drive should takee an afternoon and cost less
than $100.

I plan on doing one as a means to test a long axis. I have looked at
this as a simple way to move an axis and the only drawback is that it
would go in the center of the axis. Great if you have a moving gantry
and the drive is under the table.

Dave