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Old 08-18-2006, 08:26 PM
WayneC WayneC is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 38
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Weakest link

I'm upgrading the linear motion AND the control stuff. I have an Ascension 1000 control box upgrade coming. I'll be upgrading to Mach3 software from the PR's DOS based control program.

The linear motion part is really an equally weak link on the PR. The Z axis in particular is susceptible to loosing steps if dust control is not very good, and the entire gantry is easily moved out of square. Also, as you may be aware, the PR uses Bishop Wisecarver wheels that ride on the corner of steel unitstrut.

It does surpriseingly well as it its, but I tried to 'improve' the rigidity of the gantry, and did so badly at the weld job I warped the unistrut. Since I'm gonna have to replace that, I decided just to upgrade the linear motion at the same time.

I'm now thinking I'll just install some BWC rails and use the existing PR wheels. I'll build a new gantry with BWC rails and a new Z axis. That should make things more reliable and get faster and smoother performance. At least thats the plan.

Thanks for your input.
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