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I have the following X3 CNC mill for sale: X3 Benchtop CNC Mill Milling Machine w Ball Screws and Servo Motors | eBay
If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
Bob

So I need some ideas as to what is causing a strange backlash type issue with my Z axis. I have just finished an RF-45 style machine conversion.
The Z axis is driven by a 3/4" ball screw and double...

The cable chain / conduit is pretty small like 3" X 1", So the USB will run in parrallel within an inch or less of the VFD cables the run is about 4 feet total.

Just curious where can I find...

I have been working on an RF45 style mill conversion for like 3 years! It's getting close and starting to work on the electronics. So this is what am about to do. I have an IGUS cable chain that...

Out the back
http://www.rlberg.com/RF45YAxis.html

Check out my site for info:
http://www.rlberg.com/RF45YAxis.html

Let me know what you think.
Bob
:)

Can I power 5 Volt relay coil with 24 volts with the proper series resistor?

I assume this will work. Should i be looking for a resistor that will reduce the current to what the realy coil is...

I believe there would be a decent market for the belt drive conversion. Heck, even sell the plans!
Better yet, I would love to see something like an RF45 clone without all the stuff we throw...

Pete,
Your machine looks great. I'm real intrested in your belt drive! I have already started my belt conversion after I saw your thread.

Can you tell me what diameters your pulleys are? Have...

I'm in the slow process of converting my Lathemaster RF45.
Here is a link to my site with the conversion details.... The pictures are big so load times can be a little slow! Sorry! ...

The only thing holding it in is a little friction as this point! :-)

I do plan on using the quill lock, but I'm going to just use a counter sunk cap screw instead of the handle. Most of the time...

I put together the Z axis last night to make sure the brake will hold the weight of the head. It works perfect! No problem at all to hold the weight even with the gib completely loose

Here is...

The brake is an electroid BFSB-7-6-24V
I got it from some on-line surplus place but can't remember which one.
Bob

I got the fittings from MSC industrial.
I will try to dig up where I got the brake from and try to post pictures on my site with it mounted to the servo.

I'm using the GT style belts and pulleys I believe...
I have also done alot of work on the servo motors, mounting the encoders and installing a brake on the Z motor.

I'm currently working on...

Well, it been almost a year... I have had alot of other projects come up and this has taken a back seat. But I'm back on it and have posted some new content to my conversion site. If you are...

Things have slowed down a bit. However I did finish the X axis conversion and working to mount encoders on my servo motors.
I have received all the belts and pulleys I need and had to open t bores...

I'm running an X3 with a 1/2HP VFD belt drive, typically run about 3200 RPM,
1/2" two flute HSS endmill cutting Alum, .030 DOC @ 35IP works good for pocketing / profile, Just using compressed...

I'm converting a Lathemaster RF45, I'm mounting the Yaxis from the back of the mill. My site has some detail of this:

http://www.rlberg.com/

My RF out of the box only needed a couple thou shims and it was as close to perfect as I could get it. The castings are rough, but any of the machined surfaces are all nice and square.... so far!...

My Stock Y travel is about 7.5" after doind the mods, the saddle will be hanging off about 2 -3". Bob

I havn't has any problems with it so far. it has been running for about 8 months almost 24X7.

I had the same concern as you, but so far so good. I did have some network issues witht the G100...

Pete,
I woud go with 3/4" screws. The 5/8 are perfect for the X3 and smaller machines. but the RF45 needs a little more.
Also, Check www.mcmaster.com
The have screws and nuts as well.
bob

Pete,
Yes, I made a new bushing for the Z axis out of steel as noted on the IH site. As far as the back of the Y axis casting, the very lower part of the skirt the lower 1/2" is thin, about...

I did some rough, well as good as I can get, measurements for the ball nut height and drilled a 1" rough hole in the back of the casting. It's not that critical, heres why, build the ball nut...

My X3 will hold .001 with floating screws and they are rolled. I don't think it would be a problem with the rf45. If I was concerned about it I would have supported them at both ends. The only...

I'm going to leave the screws floating at one end. Based upon my X3 conversion which also has them floating, It has never caused an issue. The screws will never really spin that fast to be a...

I started to do it with the X3, but it was taking too long. So I brough the base into work and had it done on a big Monarch VMC.

I have just posted some more pictures and information on my site. It should answer some more of your questions.
Erie, Colorado.

The internal Zmount is still using the the original cast iron. I used an 1" alum. adaptor to mount the ball nut. The Z and Y Axis are all made from 1" 6061 alum plate with back to back angular...