|
Topic |
Remarks |
Links
& Articles |
| Axis Drive
Motors |
|
|
|
|
|
| Motor Type |
Stepper |
|
Usually cheaper, simpler, can lose steps. Power peaks at 1000 rpm. |
Stepper, Servo &
Backlash Simulator |
| Servos |
|
Higher performance, more expensive, more complex. Power well above 1000 rpm, fater rapids, greater accuracy due to closed loop operation. |
| Encoders |
Separate shielded cable from motor power cable? Connector type? CAT-5? Microphone? DIN? |
|
| Transmission |
Direct Drive |
Coupler: Helical Beam, Oldham, etc. |
Simple. No torque or resolution multiplication. |
CNC Lathe Conversion Direct Drive Details |
| Timing Belt |
|
Most common. Allows torque and resolution multiplication. |
|
| Gear Head |
Harmonic Drive |
Need to make sure its a low/no backlash drive type such as a harmonic drive. |
|
| Chain |
|
Usually found only on lower resolution systems such as plasma tables and routers. |
|
| Motor Connectors & Cables |
|
|
Got shielded cables? Connector type? |
CNC Lathe Conversion Driver Electronics & Motor Cables |
| Axis Leadscrews |
|
|
|
|
|
| ACME Leadscrew |
|
|
What's already there. Likely to have significant backlash. Some backlash can be adjusted out with a split nut and Delrin nuts have pretty low backlash. |
Eliminating Backlash, Part 1
Eliminating Backlash, Part 2 |
| Ballscrew |
|
|
Low or no backlash. What the "pros" use. |
Eliminating Backlash, Part 1
Eliminating Backlash, Part 2 |
| Proper Leadscrew Mounting |
|
|
You have to use angular contact bearings to properly mount the leadscrew. |
Eliminating Backlash, Part 1
Eliminating Backlash, Part 2 |
| Rack &
Pinion |
|
|
Usually found only on lower resolution systems such as plasma tables and routers. |
|
| Belt Drive |
|
|
Usually found only on lower resolution systems such as plasma tables and routers. |
|
| Chain Drive |
|
|
Usually found only on lower resolution systems such as plasma tables and routers. |
|
| Ways |
|
|
|
|
CNC Dictionary discusses different types of slideways |
| Rails |
|
|
Usually found only on lower resolution systems such as plasma tables and routers. |
|
| Linear Slides |
|
|
Very high precision, lower rigidity tha nconventional ways. Most common design for the average machining center. |
CNC Lathe Gang Slide |
| Conventional
Machine Ways |
e.g. Dovetail and Box Slideways |
|
Less precision, more rigidity. Common on older manual machines and very heavy duty CNC machines. |
|
| Home &
Limit Switches |
|
|
|
Are you going to combine home and limits to save inputs? |
Optical Limit Switches
CNC Lathe Limit Switches on Drivers Page |
| Driver Electronics |
|
|
|
|
|
| DC Power Supply |
|
|
|
CNC Lathe Conversion Driver Electronics Page |
| Breakout Board |
|
|
|
CNC Cookbook Breakout Board Article |
| E-Stop |
|
|
|
|
| Spindle Control |
|
|
|
|
| Coolant and
Accessory Control |
|
|
|
|
| PC |
|
|
|
Industrial, or Just a Basic PC?
Notebook? Notebooks have problems with a lot of breakout boards. |
CNC Lathe Rackmount PC |
| Control Panel |
|
|
|
|
Survey of CNC Panel and Pendant Designs
CNC Lathe Conversion Panel |
| Software |
|
|
|
|
|
| Machine Controller |
|
|
Mach 3? |
CNC Software Overview |
| CAM Software |
|
|
|
OneCNC Turn Walkthrough
CAM Toolpath Strategies |
