Just ordered up my Ajax kit.

[please no smoke]

Ordered it friday. Scott said by the time it ships out it will have the new backlash upgrade (Apparently Mach does not handle backlash like they thought. However it has been fixed in the software, and people that have it already can upgrade software to get it as well).

I am going to run Advanced Motion Control 30A8T drives with the Ajax kit. Putting it on a KMC-3. Not sure what to do yet for the auto spindle speed and draw bar. I guess I will have to do some programming of the PLC, especially if I want to get the tool changer to work.

Tired of messing with the old outdated junk, and Stoked!

[advt001]

please keep us posted .

[polaraligned]

Shouldn't need backlash comp. Any good machine will have near zero.

[please no smoke]

That was always what i thought. However the machine came with backlash comp courtesy of Hurco. The machine is only rated to one thou and it had it. There must be enough backlash from the encoder thru the motor and couplers??? Maybe someone can fill us in.

[polaraligned]

Backlash to the encoder- zero.
Backlash from belt drive for all practical purposes- zero.
Backlash from ballscrews and precision angular contact bearings- for all practical purposes- zero.

I think most backlash comes from component flexure. Backlash comp in software only helps if the cuts are in the same direction. Start interpolating circles and there are positions where backlash comp will never help as the machine will be "floating" in the backlash. Quality VMC centers will interpolate circles and leave a clean bore to .0002". Don't try that if you have any noticable backlash. Backlash is one of those things that if you have it, it can sometimes be really difficult to eliminate.