RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] New , need stepper help, 7 x 10 mini-lathe

Hello Donald,

Welcome to the CAD_CAM list.

I would suggest taking a look at the 5 amp kit that Dan Mauch at Camtronics
( http://www.seanet.com/~dmauch/ ) offers for your driver. It is quite
reasonable in price and will handle motors way larger than you will need for
that mini-lathe. I am guessing on the motors, but My guess is you will need
something in the 150 in/oz - 250 in/oz range. Partially this will depend
upon how physically large a motor you can mount. The NEMA 23 size seems to
max out around the 150 in/oz mark so if you can't fit a NEMA 34 then go with
the strongest NEMA 23 you can find.

You will get a lot of suggestions on the software to run the controller. I
am using EMC which is a free software that runs on Linux. The package that I
hear most recommended at a reasonable cost is CNCPro. The advantage to it is
you don't have to learn Linux, the disadvantage is the cost.

For a power supply all you need is a transformer that has an output voltage
about 2/3 of your desired DC voltage and has an amperage rating that is as
good or larger than your motors need. For what you are looking at a 10 amp
transformer would probably work fine if you stick with a chopper driver. Add
a full bridge rectifier and a capacitor and you have a power supply.

The one thing that I see people not budget for is a decent cad/cam program.
I use Vector and love it. It has lathe roughing and finish as a pocket
command and is very easy to use. It also does a great job on mill projects.

Hope this helps,

Tim
[Denver, CO]

> Hello to all,
>
> My name is Donald Brock. I've been monitoring the group for several
> weeks now. I see good things happening here and I'm ready to start
> my first project.
>
> Last week Harbor freight opened an outlet in Baton Rouge and I
> purchased a 7" X 10" (between centers) mini-lathe at their grand
> opening for what I feel was a darn good price. I want to make this
> lathe my first CNC conversion project.
>
> One goal I do have in mind is to be able to eventually do threading
> on this machine which, I know, is going to require a spindle encoder
> and more. But my desire for now is just to get a two axis machine
> running.
>
> I've already sourced the ball screws but before I go any farther I
> need to size the steppers so I can place my order for them at the
> same time as for the screws. I am open to all the advice I can get
> on this project. Any and all help to get started will be well
> received especially from those that have been there, done that..
>
> Other things I could use advice on are:
>
> Stepper Drivers
> Power supplies
> Interfaces
> Control Software
>
>
> Thanks and hello to all,
>
> Donald Brock