[AmericanMakerGarage]

I have an Emco Maximat Super 11 lathe. I have already ripped out all the original electronics and converted it to use a VFD.

Now I want to do full-blown CNC conversion! I will most likely go the servo route instead of the stepper route.

The big decision for me is replacing the main headstock motor and ripping out all the drive gears.

There's a few reasons why I want to do this ...
1. The main reason is worn/failing gears or worn/failing gear shifting forks. The gearbox has become really noisy especially in the low gears.
2. I want the CNC system to control all motors.
3. The lathe will be even more quiet without the gears (a "nice-to-have" but not important).

What type of motor should I use to drive the headstock?

Is there a reason I should not replace the headstock motor and gears?

I am still learning about the CNC conversion process, so any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

[cncmakers001]

I have an Emco Maximat Super 11 lathe. I have already ripped out all the original electronics and converted it to use a VFD.

Now I want to do full-blown CNC conversion! I will most likely go the servo route instead of the stepper route.

The big decision for me is replacing the main headstock motor and ripping out all the drive gears.

There's a few reasons why I want to do this ...
1. The main reason is worn/failing gears or worn/failing gear shifting forks. The gearbox has become really noisy especially in the low gears.
2. I want the CNC system to control all motors.
3. The lathe will be even more quiet without the gears (a "nice-to-have" but not important).

What type of motor should I use to drive the headstock?

Is there a reason I should not replace the headstock motor and gears?

I am still learning about the CNC conversion process, so any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

You can use AC servo spindle motor and AC servo spindle driver to drive the head stock.
Keep in mind that if you remove the gears, then you will need a bigger torque motor than the original one.
And pay attention to the install flange size of the new spindle motor.