OK, I read through a bunch of stuff and got the message about the conversion not being worth the money in most cases. I think I have a number of reasons for which, in my case, it would make sense.
I've also reached the conclusion that I have to do it for $5,000 or less. The $15K conversions don't seem to make a lot of sense.
It was interesting to find the conversion kit by MicroKinetics:
http://www.microkinetics.com/index.p...ts/floor_model
If I do X, Y, Z, knee and ball screws it adds-up to $4,000.
I don't need their VFD, I got a Hitachi WJ-200 rated for 3 HP.
I also don't need their motors or controller box. I am looking into going with Teknic integrated brushless DC servo motors, the SD series:
Brushless DC Servo Motors with Integrated Drive & Controller by Teknic
The SK series seems sufficient. If so, that puts me at about $1,500 to $2,000 in motors (depending on whether or not I motorize the knee).
I have computers and power supplies.
So that would put me in the $5K (manual knee) to $6K (motorized knee) range.
Control would be Mach3 or 4, maybe even LinuxCNC.
Is this MicroKinetics kit any good?
In looking at the images I can't help but think that I can make the X, Y and knee brackets myself and just buy the quill hardware. That would save about $1,200.
Not sure if their ballscrew kit is the best. They seem to find what Rodkford offers (in terms of accuracy per foot):
Bridgeport Kits - Rockford Ball Screw
Not sure about price differential or other criteria, like the quality and strength of the housing and how tight it is (backlash) as well as longevity.
I'd appreciate any other input.
Thanks.
I've also reached the conclusion that I have to do it for $5,000 or less. The $15K conversions don't seem to make a lot of sense.
It was interesting to find the conversion kit by MicroKinetics:
http://www.microkinetics.com/index.p...ts/floor_model
If I do X, Y, Z, knee and ball screws it adds-up to $4,000.
I don't need their VFD, I got a Hitachi WJ-200 rated for 3 HP.
I also don't need their motors or controller box. I am looking into going with Teknic integrated brushless DC servo motors, the SD series:
Brushless DC Servo Motors with Integrated Drive & Controller by Teknic
The SK series seems sufficient. If so, that puts me at about $1,500 to $2,000 in motors (depending on whether or not I motorize the knee).
I have computers and power supplies.
So that would put me in the $5K (manual knee) to $6K (motorized knee) range.
Control would be Mach3 or 4, maybe even LinuxCNC.
Is this MicroKinetics kit any good?
In looking at the images I can't help but think that I can make the X, Y and knee brackets myself and just buy the quill hardware. That would save about $1,200.
Not sure if their ballscrew kit is the best. They seem to find what Rodkford offers (in terms of accuracy per foot):
Bridgeport Kits - Rockford Ball Screw
Not sure about price differential or other criteria, like the quality and strength of the housing and how tight it is (backlash) as well as longevity.
I'd appreciate any other input.
Thanks.