First of all I would like to say Thanks to all of the members of this site. I've been here for less than a week, and have absorbed a lot of information. What was very confusing to this newbie, is now learned.
To begin:
After browsing one of the more insirational threads on Benchtop mill conversions:
jl123's Original Thread
I have started to plan out my own conversion. I felt it was necessary to summarize much of the knowledge of that thread and go with a few minor revisions I'll be looking to incorporate. Hopefully this can be a source of knowledge for others as well.
I am going to first start out by sourcing the best places to acquire the Mill and conversion parts. I'm looking for some comments and advice from the community along the way. From what I've seen, I like and want to make a few changes to what member jl123 went with his mill. I am mostly going to take a less costly approach.
I'd first like to start by citing the machine: The SIEG X3
X3 at GRIZZLY
It seems to the one of the best candidates for CNC Milling modification out there. $1050 Cost, Stats, and a rigid frame make it the best choice I've seen so far.
So next would be the conversion to CNC parts. CNC Fusion, from what I've found has had the best and most complete offerings of other companies. I've found the prices to be pretty reasonable as well.
CNCFusion
Here is where my first deviation may occur:
I'm looking to use the screws that came with the machine. What sort of drawbacks can I expect to see if I do this?
I gather that ballscrews are a 2/3 addition in quality and ease of movement, but they are also $379 dollars more to go ahead with the ballscrews with the oversized pre-loaded ballnuts.
So if I was to get the cnc conversion kit without the ballscrews, It would cost $299
I may upgrade later, but for now, the regular threads will do fine I imagine (again, I don't want to go broke on limited funds)
Next would be to plan out the size of the 2x NEMA 23 Stepper motors for the x&y axis and 1x NEMA 34 motor for the z-axis.
It looks like these can be aquired on e-bay for about $54 each. for about $170 overall cost.
What is the best in/oz to get for these kits? 280 in/oz for the x&y and then 453 in/oz for the z?
Next you consider the stepper motor drivers and controller software. First of all, I plan to set up a Windows2000 computer to run mach3 for the controller. This costs $159 for MACH3, and I already have a spare computer to use.
ARTSOFT MACH3
I am then planning to purchase 3 new GECKO G203V Stepper motor drivers. These cost $147 each for a total of $441
GECKODRIVES
I would next like to purchase a breakout board to split out the parallel cable to connect to the GECKO drives. Model PMDX-122
Buffered Bi-Directional Breakout Board
with "Charge Pump"
These run about $15 from another source
Breakout Boards
Wow :drowning: already I'm at $2134. Hopefully I can keep the project down to under $2500.
Well, this is all for now. I will return to discuss cabling and connections, power supply, and housing the electrical components.
I will also consider using the Xylotex 3-axis kits Xylotex Kits
I hear the geckos are more of a robust package, but perhaps by using the Xylotex, I can cut down on some costs. What do you think?
Any of your comments on the above I would greatly appreciate.
I have highlighted in bold what I am most concerned about....
Thanks Again!
-Brandon