Re: RF-45 Retrofit

Roland,
Thanks for the advice on the Y-axis, it seems to be the consensus
that a bearing isn't needed on the inside end. It will make things a
lot simpler.
Your Z-axis solution sounds very interesting, automotive parts are
usually a lot cheaper than machine tool parts. I'm looking forward to
seeing the pictures. Did you put steppers or servo's on that machine?
I'm still trying to decide, keep waiting for someone else to tell me
how great one or the other is......and an automatic tool changer is
the big leagues! That would be about as good as it gets for home made
machines.
Terry May

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@egroups.com, Roland Friestad
<cardinal.eng@g...> wrote:

> Terry,
> I've just yesterday powered up the CNC system on the Rong FU - RF-

45 for the

> first time - Runs fine - I've done a lot of mill/drill retrofits

and never

> seen the need to support the Y-axis - I'm running at about 120

inches/minute -

>
> The new Z-Axis screw is supported on both ends with a preloaded

duplex

> bearing setup on the top using automotive wheel bearings - The

bottom is

> just a radial ball bearing with the bottom end of the ball screw
> free-floating axially -
>
> I am a little behind in my schedule - The new ball screws took

longer to

> arrive than expected - And then I had to rebuild the Z-Axis ball

screw which

> was salvaged from an old K-T machining center that was being

scrapped -

>
> I had promised to have info available about a month or so ago - Now

that the

> unit is running I will sort through a big pile of digital

photographs and

> make them available in about 10 days for those who are interested -

I'll

> post a message when they are ready -
>
> This machine came out REALLY GREAT - Next project for the RF-45 -

Automatic

> Tool Changer -
>
> Roland Friestad
>