Here is the situation as short/detailed as i can make it:
I have a Kondia CNC powermill (Bridgeport Clone). It *had* Summit/Dana bandit cnc, that has been removed due to condition/parts availability/outdated platform.
At this point, I need powerfeeds for X,Y,KNEE,QUILL. I need a DRO also.
Here comes my findings *so far*:
I see that for the price of dedicated axis power feeds, I could easily buy a less expensive open stepper motor drive packages. I could use a pulse generator to control these individually ( cheap on ebay, I'm very electrical and won't have an issue there). Pretty sure that would work to drive and lock an axis. I am also aware you get what you pay for....
With that, i am noticing i am coming close to "re-cnc-ing" the mill in the above.
I also would like to retrofit a DRO on all 4 axis. I see a nice set up on ebay with scales $600ish. Has what i want, i can deal with the glass scales.
I *ALSO* see there is such thing as closed loop stepper motors with position feedback. (See questions)
My usage of the mill:
Non official business for now.
Small parts, singles, few offs (may increase slightly, but never a production environment ).
Occational Modification of some really heavy parts (engine blocks, heads). Some repetitive.
Repair of wide range of parts.
My thoughts/questions/things i have thought of so far:
Motor size, what would sufficiently move each these axis, in both a "manual" and CNC setting? I would like enough resolution/torque for a slow speed flycutter situation, for example, in x and y. 600 oz. With 2:1 ratio for slow speed control resolution(i am aware stepper motors make more torque at low rpm). ?
1000 oz for knee? Maybe 4:1? Larger oz? 1600 oz?
300 oz for quill? 1:1 ? It is a worm drive and not a floating quill as it is was a cnc model. This requires me to use a tap head for power tapping to help match feed speed power tapping manually. Would like good speed resolution here. Would a 2:1 drive be a better choice here?
*If* i use this as CNC some, I am NOT LOOKING for fast Rapids, or even youtube worthy operation ???? would be looking to that for basic repetitive operations or possibly multiple pieces with rounds/other, that are time consuming manually.
Can a closed loop motor be used to present coordinates on a laptop en lieu of an DRO? In other words, do the motors feedback position while i am moving it manually, and would that reasonably be viewable in say mach3 or the like? If i could SKIP buying a DRO, I can spend more on the CNC aspects.
For a lower performance (i mean this in terms of speed) CNC, and using the steppers for power feed, would a package simular to this link,
Work in such a situation? I am aware it is not the gecko drive set up, and there is more to buy, and some sellers do better providing everything for a bit more(the accessories add up).
I am capable of making/have access to equipment for parts, for this, elsewhere if needed, and not scared of electrical (I'm a maintenance tech at a production plant).fabing this up will not be an issue.
Sorry for the ultralong post, trying to fit all the details in to start with.
A lot of questions, and thanks in advance. If there are any key words or phrases that could be provided for particular info, i can go read, and would appreciate it.