Just would like to know how reputable Probotix is for cnc components.

what would I need for x2 or x3 mill setup?

thanks
Mike

They have pretty motors but overall they are a little more expensive than Keling.
Compare their 3-Axis Monster Stepper Motor Driver Kit (http://www.probotix.com/3_axis_stepper_motor_driver_kits/3_axis_monster_stepper_motor_driver_kit/) - $429 (with better BOB)
400 oz/in motors, 24 Volt Power Supply
to KelingInc CNC 3 Axis Package (http://www.kelinginc.net/CNCNEMA23Package.html) (C) with 36 Volt Power Supply and 425 oz/in motors only $379.
Faster, stronger and cool black motors:)

I agree with Hoss. But neither one of those packages uses the full potential of the large motor.

Both motors are 6.8mh inductance, so both will produce best power with 83.4 volts PSU. The Keling, at 36V--Or better yet upgrade to 48V PSU & drivers--is the better way to go, even if it were MORE expensive.

CR.

Getting the FULL potential out of the MOTORS would be NICE
but the KITS are sold as a GOOD compromise with PRICE in mind.
The Probotix SideStep Stepper Motor Drivers sold with the 3 axis kit
are ONLY rated for 32 Volts
and the Keling KL-4030's are RATED to 40 Volts.
Pretty POINTLESS to get a power supply that will FRY your drivers.
Probotix's prices aren't bad overall but Keling does carry more merch at better $.
I can't comment on their customer service but I can say
Kelings is A-1 with SUPERFAST shipping.
H

The motor inductance determines the max performance voltage. The Probotix inductance of 6.8mh allows up to 83 volts.

You may note in my previous post that I recommended upgrading both the Keling PSU AND drivers.

CR.

Ahh, you did, so what would be the point in getting a kit if you're going to replace HALF of the components.
Not a very COST minded solution.
AS I said, a kit is a compromise.
The 72 Volt PS is $149 and (3) KL-8078 would add another $387, just to get the FULL potential from the 425's.
That's alot of money just to say I can Rapid at 200 IPM which would be the ONLY
reason for the extra power.
83 Volts isn't going to let you CUT at 200 IPM.
You can spend a LOT of money hotrodding your car to go 200 MPH
but you can't go anywhere any faster than 65.

Forgive me for seeking best performance at lowest cost, but I did NOT recommend 72 volts, but the $10 upgrade to 48. For the X2, I would actually not recommend the $55 Keling drivers at all--but the new $35 Gecko 251s.

The X3 however is a horse of a different color. The Keling package for THAT recommends 2 425 N23s and a 640 oz N34, for $539. The extra $10 for 48V would be extremely well spent there, because the 36V power supply does not supply enough amps for the package.

http://kelinginc.net/Three34XCNCPackage.html

Replacing under performing components by buying the right stuff later does NOT save any money, but costs more than buying well in the first place.

CR.

Yes the $10 upgrade that would FRY the drivers.
Yes we all know you love the new geckos that haven't even hit the stores yet.
Is there a kit that uses them?
Both motors are 6.8mh inductance, so both will produce best power with 83.4 volts PSU
Keling doesn't sell an 83.3 PSU hence the 72 Volt.
What does the calculator say the 640 oz/in N34 needs for a PSU, bet it's more than 48V.
You can spend all you want to get the best performance but it's a WASTE of money
to buy performance your mill can't handle.
I don't care how wicked fast your PSU spins your steppers,
you're only going to be able to cut stock at speeds these kits provide.
Unless all you do with your mill is watch it rapid back and forth, weeeee:wee:

The X3 package recommends 60 volt 6050s. THEY will not fry with 48V. Keling kits are mix & match. The kit is basically for reference and costs about as much as the individual components.

Hoss: I respect you and your accomplishments WAY too much to argue with you. I have given SG my opinion, and I'll just stop now.

CR.

Nothing personal, I was just defending kelings kits.
Makes me sound like a shill, they should give me a free motor or something:)
When gecko gets theirs out there I'm sure I give them a try too for something.
My mill already has (6) KL-4030's though.
Hoss

Then we are in agreement. I've got quite a bit of Keling hardware myself, and I'm very happy with it.

It looks like the new mini Gecko drives will be shipping in a week or so.

CR.

not meaning to hijack a post but it would be really helpful if someone would post a few different recommended setups for the X3 and links to all the componets... i like the looks of the new gecko drives also but it seems they may be insuffecient for what an x3 is capable of...am i wrong? anyways all i really need to know is what would be a good driver, stepper motor, power supply setup? i guess what i mean is whats the best truely effective setup for the money(no major compromises)

Hi mwood3. Welcome to the Zone!

There are Nema 23 motors that would run the X and Y from the mini gecko drivers very well. But I have not yet found any Nema 34 Z motors that the new Geckos can power effectively.

The new KX3, which is basically an X3. uses N34 motors on all axes. I think they are using 600 oz on X and Y and 900 oz on the Z. That thing just FLIES!

CR.

Ok, I was wrong. The KX3 uses 560 oz n34s for x and y and an 850 oz n34 for the Z.

Check out the performance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjAS2t9fXxs

CR.

so they KX3 is what? im looking at the grizzy Deluxe X3 (super X3)

again, could you give maybe some links with part numbers or at least some specs of parts that would go good togather? if not i suppose ill keep going on my research.

thx for the help

mwood3,

The KX3 is the Sieg KX3 which in the USA is sold as the SmithyCNC 622 Bed Mill as described here: http://www.smithy.com/product_home.php?cid=11&scid=16&pid=1006

so they KX3 is what? im looking at the grizzy Deluxe X3 (super X3)


KX3 is the Sieg-made CNC version of the X3 mill. There is also the KX1 which is sort of a bastard child of the X1 and X2. Smithy sells both in the US. They're new on the market but early reports suggest that they could be very solid options.

again, could you give maybe some links with part numbers or at least some specs of parts that would go good togather? if not i suppose ill keep going on my research.

You are asking a question that has been asked and hashed over perhaps hundreds of times on this board. That doesn't mean you shouldn't ask but understand that what you get are not answers so much as they are opinions. A good place to start is by looking at the conversion kits sold by sources like CNCFusion, KDN Tools, etc. These give you something of a baseline.

In a lot of cases you could put together a conversion with parts from any of a hundred different suppliers and get the same outcome. The fact that Guy A got his bearings from McMaster and Guy B got them from VXB is probably not significant. This is especially true of the mechanical parts which are largely high-volume industrial products.

Stepper drivers are an area where you will get intense opinions. Regarding Geckos my sense is that a lot of guys buy them when they upgrade from a much less expensive alternative. If you go from a $100 kit board to $450 of Geckos then you ought to get much better results! Whether a $40 Gecko will be better than a $40 Keling or what have you has yet to be seen. The answer could be yes but I would reserve judgment until product is in the field.