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IndustryArena Forum > MetalWorking Machines > Benchtop Machines > X2/SX2 CNC conversion without ball screws?
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
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    0

    X2/SX2 CNC conversion without ball screws?

    Anyone still do this? All the conversions I see posted include a CNCfusion kit or some DIY ball screws.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
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    0
    It's possible, sure. Mach 3 will compensate for the backlash, but it's best to get it as low as possible first. Even with ballscrews, I have .003"-.008" backlash in my axes....most of that, I believe, is from the lovejoy couplers. If you put an anti-backlash nut setup on the stock lead screw and use zero-backlash couplers, you could probably reduce the slop to an acceptable level.

    For me, the mounts included with the fusion kit sealed the deal. Very nice fit/finish. The ballscrews themselves aren't too terribly expensive if you turn the ends yourself. You can always make your own mounts for now and upgrade to ballscrews later.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
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    0
    Quote Originally Posted by rewster View Post
    It's possible, sure. Mach 3 will compensate for the backlash, but it's best to get it as low as possible first. Even with ballscrews, I have .003"-.008" backlash in my axes....most of that, I believe, is from the lovejoy couplers. If you put an anti-backlash nut setup on the stock lead screw and use zero-backlash couplers, you could probably reduce the slop to an acceptable level.

    For me, the mounts included with the fusion kit sealed the deal. Very nice fit/finish. The ballscrews themselves aren't too terribly expensive if you turn the ends yourself. You can always make your own mounts for now and upgrade to ballscrews later.
    I was thinking it would be more cost effective to buy a lathe with the money saved from not buying the fusion kit.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    899
    Bmr4life,

    When I converted my X2 I used the stock screws and have never converted them to ball screws. There will be backlash and mach can compensate but you want to try and get it as low as possible. You can split the nuts halfway through and add a setscrew to help take up some of the backlash. Also if you are looking to save some money look at the Probotix kits 3-Axis CNC Stepper Motor Driver Kits. I used the probotix and have had 0 issues in the past 2 years.

    You can see here on another uses build what I am talking about with the nut.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    1416
    Sure you can. I'm running my machine on stock screws right now and it works pretty darn well. Problem for me is that on the X axis since it is so long the backlash at the center is different than at the edges so I had to error map the screw to get decent accuracy outside the center zone. If I adjust it out to low values in the middle it will bind at the edges.

    I'll be going to ball screws soon because the higher friction at the edges of travel has meant that I have to run pretty slow to insure I don't stall at the ends of the tables and I have to avoid any cutting outside the center 13" of travel of the 17" I have.
    CNC: Making incorrect parts and breaking stuff, faster and with greater precision.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
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    0
    Nice, thanks for the replies

    Eartaker, which Probotix set is sufficient?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Posts
    899
    I went with the Monster kit with the 40v power supply, but allot of people are getting away with lower torque motors. 3-Axis Monster Stepper Motor Driver Kit - 3-Axis Monster Stepper Motor Driver Kit

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
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    0
    Quote Originally Posted by eartaker View Post
    I went with the Monster kit with the 40v power supply, but allot of people are getting away with lower torque motors. 3-Axis Monster Stepper Motor Driver Kit - 3-Axis Monster Stepper Motor Driver Kit
    Thanks, but how much less is that? $475 with the 40v PS. Aren't G540 kits around $600 with ~400oz motors?

  9. #9
    A 3 axis g540 kit is only $455 at keling, the best performance for the money.
    Hoss
    http://www.hossmachine.info - Gosh, you've... really got some nice toys here. - Roy Batty -- http://www.g0704.com - http://www.bf20.com - http://www.g0602.com

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
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    899
    All depends on what you want. I have never used the g540 but it gets good reviews.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
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    0
    Quote Originally Posted by hoss2006 View Post
    A 3 axis g540 kit is only $455 at keling, the best performance for the money.
    Hoss
    What's the difference between KL23H284-35-4B & KL23H2100-35-4B motors?

    I see you say to get the KL23H2100-35-4B on your website. You also call out the 4 axis kit, but I assume I could just get a 3 axis and add a 4th motor later if I ever wanted to.

  12. #12
    Not much difference but the KL23H2100-35-4B (381) has a lower inductance which
    would give a little better top speed, if sold out the 387's are perfectly fine too.
    Hoss
    http://www.hossmachine.info - Gosh, you've... really got some nice toys here. - Roy Batty -- http://www.g0704.com - http://www.bf20.com - http://www.g0602.com

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Posts
    1662
    The photo posted earlier came from this thread
    http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bencht...ion_%96_i.html
    maybe you've already spotted that build ? Driving the Z via the fine feed worm gear, well... there's a lot of free rotation in that mechanism but the builder was happy with the results.
    Anyone who says "It only goes together one way" has no imagination.

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