Been quite a while, so I don’t know the current state of the art, what is good to use, ...

I’m looking for recommendations on how to do a 4 axis milling machine. Ok, really 5 axis if you were to do the spindle as an axis.

I’d prefer to do full servo with AC servo drives, if I can afford it, but failing that, minimum tier would be closed loop high power steppers.

1. Software? I have a Mach 3 license, but open to other software as long as it is performant and not very expensive.

2. Affordable Full servo motion controllers for use with software above?
Failing that, good 5+ axis stepper motion controller?
Ethernet SmoothStepper still a good option?

3. AC servo motors and drives with ALL cabling?
Or, powerful closed loop steppers and drives?

4. Breakout boards?

5. Spindle encoder and other necessary components.
Whatever else I forgot.

Goal is for overall system cost to be low, but be a good, performant, poweful and accurate system.



Anybody tried these “1721 oz-in” (I am always skeptical of their numbers) closed loop steppers?


https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F123955405290