[kolias]

In the past years I built a few cnc table machines and always bought my rails/ballscrews from "Mr. Chai" in China (linearmotionbearings2008). I have been very happy with the service, cost and quality of products I got however for the new cnc I started building now I try to contact Mr. Chai and eBay says this vendor does not exist. I assume the guy either retired or whatever....

I just sent him an email and perhaps he will answer after the NewYear holiday they have over there.

Do you know any other reliable source in China to get Liner Rails and Ballscrews?

Thanks

[pippin88]

BST Automation on aliexpress
Fred is very reliable
Has been a seller since 2011

[whodwho]

I have bought a few sets from here, they are in Texas and ship quickly packaged nicely and use 4 circuit ballnuts

https://www.zyltech.com/linear-motion/

[kolias]

Thank you guys, I have seen BST on Aliexpress and will give a try with Fred

Would love to buy from zyltech but been located in Texas I will assume the shipping cost to Canada will be astronomical. Yesterday I ask the ship cost for a $6.00 box of bolts from MonsterBolts...$45.00 shipping USPS or FedEx. The guy admitted shipping out of USA is unreal.

[kolias]

I tried BST Automation and the guy said stepper motors is not their main business so I can forget about him since I'm looking for a set of 4 motors, drivers, BOB and PSU like they are so many all over the web. Point is most of them they just sell and have no clue what they sell so if problem arise forget about any help. Besides, from the English description of their products you know they are Chinese and that will make it even harder to look for help.

[pippin88]

Yes you should buy from a store that specialises in that type of product.

Fred / BST Automation is great for linear rails and ball screws.

[peteeng]

Hi Kolias - Look at the Knighthawk from cnc3D. Drivers etc all in one box. Can be run wireless and via your phone. Have found it to be very good and versatile. Saves lots of time and minimises error and space in your build. I get my steppers, drivers etc from stepperonline. Been good for several years. Peter

https://www.cnc3d.com.au/nighthawkcnc-controller

[kolias]

Hi Kolias - Look at the Knighthawk from cnc3D. Drivers etc all in one box. Can be run wireless and via your phone. Have found it to be very good and versatile. Saves lots of time and minimises error and space in your build. I get my steppers, drivers etc from stepperonline. Been good for several years. Peter
https://www.cnc3d.com.au/nighthawkcnc-controller

Thanks so much Peter but now you gave me a headache LOL, the Knighthawk looks very interesting but have to study it to see if I will go for it. Looks like the Gecko G540 which I used once but it also looks much better than the G540. I have built a few cnc machines all with the parallel port but the last one was with ESS and I didn't like it, too many problems which eventually were solved but it took me time. Same for the Knighthawk, it is not with parallel port. Another thing I'm not sure, can it be used with Mach3? If not definitely it's not for me cause I don't like now to learn a new software. Anyway I will study the manual and we will see. I'm glad you mentioned stepperonline, I have seen them on the web and will think more seriously now about them.

Much appreciated

[peteeng]

Hi Kolias - No its a complete solution. very easy to use. Just wire in the motors and external bits. The GUi is free and its wireless. Once set up with a USB chord you can run it wireless from the computer or your phone. Means you don't need a pendant. Support has been excellent, although the learning curve was like 1 hr (I use uccnc and the transition was effortless). They are improving various things weekly and updates come in when you open the software. I don't have wireless in the shed I use but I walk down the front open Fusion, it flips to local and then I go to the machine and it all works fine. Read the manuals etc and ask cnc3d any questions. They have 3 guys there on the phone and email answering Q's most times... I have run a Gecko and its much better than that! Download the GUI and have a play... its called Commander.

The only thing I don't like is that the tool motion/toolpath is not displayed real time, but they are working on that now... Peter

Scoot - Lots of wires to figure out (and buy), BOB, motion controller etc at least a week of effort...
Nighthawk - all in one box 4A drivers plug in power and motors etc and go, plug and play... ... you can buy the internal board and use external drivers if you want, I'm doing that next time and using a 60V system...

[kolias]

Nice machine you got there Peter, will read the manual and then decide.

[kolias]

Well Peter I noticed the price was saying "starting at $399..." I asked what starting means and that price is only for the card! I told them in my email I need 4 axis and a possible 5th rotating axis and they said the 5th axis has to be an external driver but didn't say how much with 4 axis will be, I guess its very expensive! In addition it says some parameters must be in metric! when I hear metric I get dizzy LOL. Plus no Mach3/4....I can see it been close to $USD 600, very expensive, perhaps good for commercial guys.
Thanks for the info
Nicolas

[peteeng]

Hi Kolias - Its $399 AUD so its $266 USD... Oh your canadian - $353CAD So if you want a 5th axis you buy the card and use 3 axes to drive the XYZ drivers, your Y slave you use a parallel driver Y1 and then the KH 4th axis you drive your rotary. Knighthawk can be imperial there is a setting metric/imperial. I thought Canada was metric?

By the time you add up the components I always so far have come to parity or cheaper... Depending on your external drivers they can be $20USD or $200USD. The one I use is $25CAN

The card is $399AUD, the 4 axis in one box is $499AUD. If you want a rotary then you use the card and external drivers. No need for motion controller such as UC100 or ESS and machine software is free. UCCNC is $300AUD. You need to add up the whole system cost to compare each proposed one... They are just about to release a 6 axis system I want to use on a 5 axis machine I'm designing at the moment, but no release date. Peter

where does $600USD come from?

KH card $266USD 5x$18 USD drivers and your done? = $356USD

[kolias]

$353CAD sound a good price, got confused I guess. But its not for me Peter, been using Mach3 for almost 20 years and I like it. Don’t even want Mach4.

BTW Mr.Chai from China replied to my email and I will get all y rails/ballscrews from him again. Still have not got a new supplier for the electronics.
Nicolas

[peteeng]

Hi Nic - Good Making on the build - Enjoy Mach3 - Peter

[Stevecjx]

hello Nicolas,
This is Steve from MSM Store.We're selling various of Linear Bearings,Shaft Holders,Couplings,Handles,Manual Screw Jacks,Press Plates,etc.Mainly all kinds of accessories of machines.If you have in need of such items,please feel free to contact me [email protected]
You may also visit our site at https://www.msmstore.com/ for details.
Thanks

[cuixiansheng]

Hello, we are a company in China that specializes in THK, IKO, NSK, NB, SBC slide rails and ball screws. If you need it, please contact us and we will give you high-quality products at the lowest price.email [email protected], WeChat:18033146782, WhatsApp：56948621436，thank you