I have a design problem and as many amoung you have retrofitted a Seig X3 I should be able to get an answer here.
Problem is on the Y axis of the Seig X3 Mill with the original screw it is not supported at the back. As I am going to fit Ballscrews I need to support the ball screw and the rear of the screw is where I was wanting to fit the thrust bearing.
Could anyone who has done this retrofit give me some assistance as to how to do this as I am wanting to order my ballscrews and as they are going to machine them for me I need to be sure of the setup.
Jim

hello mate
just got my x3 last week so can't be of much help yet but will look into it
i trust you've seen the info on arceurotrade ,site it's under projects.
mike

I did a double thrust bearing in the front mount and left the back of the screw unsupported. I have preloaded double ball nuts and .625" ball screws. The screw is fairly short, so I felt it would be okay with the tail unsupported.

Ken

Ken, speaking of the X3, how is the retrofit kit coming along? Any idea on pricing/availability?

-Jeff

Mike,
I bought the X3 from Arceurotrade good people to deal with, The article on the website on the retrofit dosnt give detail on that part although the ballscrew is fitted with a spigot that is supported by some sort of arrangement. I dont have any problem with the other 2 axis they are simple enough to do.
Another area that I need to get right but I am worried about is setting up the support brackets so that they keep the ballscrew level and centre end to end if this is not right then all will bind.
I have not seen anyone really go into this probibly they spendthat much time messing around with it to get it correct they dont want to explain it in text.
Jim

Ken,
I have thought about double thrust bearing support on the front and it is a good idea as there is plenty of room at the front do you have a sketch of what you done, as there has to be room also for the nuts for tightening the thrust bearings.
Was the unsupported end of the ballscrew level with the edge of the slide casting.
I am attaching my drawings of the ballscrews as they are just now pay no attention to the double bearings as they will be all thrust bearings.
Jim

BIG BIg Jimbo
You mentioned that the ballscrew suppiler was going to machine them. Who is the suppiler? I too am looking at converting my X3 to ballscrew..

Chip Sweeper,
The Supplier is Kevin Marchant ( admin@marchantdice.com ) who is based in the UK, I decided to use him as he has the facility to machine the screws on CNC all I had to do was give him the drawings. Kevin advertises on Ebay but will deal offline not only that he is very helpfull.
What area do you live in ?
If I can help you further with any of my experiences let me know.
I have found that since I gave Kevin the drawings I would have made a couple of changes but nothing serious.
I will keep you up to date with my progress as I go along, I work away and when I return to the UK in the first week of Feb the ball screws will be waiting for me.
Jim

Any updates??

Hey guys
Sorry it took me so long to replie. My wife is having our baby so my time is limited to say the least. I live in az and am almost finished with the mill conversion. I am breaking in the spindle as I write this.