[CNC Brute]

My machine is 4'x6'. I am going to use ball screws to control the linear motion. (If anyone thinks I should use rack and pinion please give me your thoughts)

The ball screws I am looking at are McMaster part number 5966K13 for the shaft and 5966K17 for the nut.

These are 1" dia. shafts, teeth per inch are not listed but a screw lead of 1/4" is. Anyone know how many TPI?

Questions--
1. Are these suitable for my machine? (I'll be making wood signs and etching aluminum and small (12" x 6") moldmaking.

2. These are rated at 1612 lbs. load capacity, is that enough?

3. Can I get away with only 1 nut on each axis to mount to the gantry and z-axis?

4. Can I get away with only one shaft on the y-axis (the 6 footer)?

Thanks Guys.

[bb99]

Your TPI is 4.

--Alan

[CNC Brute]

Ok then 4 tpi.

Will that give me some good accuracy as well as speed? And as far as tolerances are concerned at what difference do things become noticeable? Example, would .125 be noticeable over 4 feet?