Build Thread- 1st time builder ?'s for keling users

[kent7189]

I have been reviewing some cnc suppliers for my first build and keling seems to get some really good reviews not to mention that they are VERY close to home. So I am having trouble trying to establish my build needs. I have a smaller horizontal boring mill that I want to convert to 3-4 axis CNC. I intend to build 3 axis to begin with but I want to build with the 4th axis add-on an option for the future. The table is small (approx. 5" x 18") but I am planning on working on some heavy material approximately 80 lbs. I feel that the machine is capable of accurately handling the size of material. I don't need to set the world on fire. Just looking to make some accurate repetitive cuts. So I am estimating that with material and table I am needing to move 100 pounds on the X & y axis and on the z axis the weight will be around 130 pounds. I am planning on cutting aluminum and steel conservatively and would like to around 100ipm rapids. I have .750" lead screws on x & y and 1.00" on the z.

What would be my requirements as far as motors and drivers? I tried to run a formula that I found on line but I feel that particular formula was out of my math realm and I think that I had too many "unknowns."

Could someone with keling experience point me in a good direction of what would be my best option that keling offers????

Thanks in advance.

Carl

[LUCKY13]

Which machine is it you have?


I think alot of people are on vacation but I will try and help you as much as I can.


This sounds like I older mill and I expect the parts ( table and sadle) may be heavier than you expect. A horizonal mill can get into some pretty heavy cutting also and if you are going to be cutting steel you may need some pretty good motors.


A screw with .750 is pretty odd. Are these ball screws, or lead screws?


Just a first thought it sounds like you might need a good servo setup. But steppers would work also. DO you have any thoughts of which one you prefer? If I am thinking right you should be able to use either one but with the speed your looking for the servo's might be best.


Does this machine have real nice axis movement? In other words does the table slide very nice? Or is it pretty stiff? If its a smooth axis with ballscrews you might be able to use the 350 oz/in servos with some geckos which would make a very good balanced package. If yo will be using lead screws then more power will be needed.

SO a little more info on your setup would help to get down to what you need. Also budget, and what other machines you might have to work with. You will have to make motor mounts, and buy or build bearing supports.


Jess

[kent7189]

Yes, this is an older machine. Early 70's late 60's, I think. Can't think of the make. Sorry, but the leadscrew is .625-11 on the cross slide(s) and 1-10 on the "z" axis.

I feel like I am fairly accurate on the weights. I think that the table alone would be 20 lbs and the table w/"carriage" for the "z" axis probably adds an additional 30 lbs for a total of 50 lbs to "lift" to do a "z" axis movement. And my current plan on a major project on the horizon is going to be a piece of steel that weighs in at approx. 80 lbs.

I have adjusted the gibs and tuned up the machine fairly well. I don't think that friction or drag is going to be out of the ordinary. I currently have leadscrews that I would like to update to ballscrews in the future(or build a whole new gantry machine???)

I am not opposed to servos. I was only thinking steppers due to the lack of experience w/servos with people in my area. Steppers seem to be more popular.

My budget is not a solid one. I didn't want to buy a "kit" due to the axis set up of a horizontal mill. I knew I would need more power for my "z" axis but didn't want to put too many extra dollars into a kit with the other motors being grossly over powered for the other axis.

And to once again say, I am totally new to the CNC build community. I have been machining for 20 years and have used almost every conventional machine there is and a very limited amount of CNC. I need a good direction to shop in so that when I pull the trigger on the money and the project. I have something that is working and not a big paperweight.

Thanks again

[Mad Welder]

Originally Posted by kent7189 My budget is not a solid one. I didn't want to buy a "kit" due to the axis set up of a horizontal mill. I knew I would need more power for my "z" axis but didn't want to put too many extra dollars into a kit with the other motors being grossly over powered for the other axis. I need a good direction to shop in so that when I pull the trigger on the money and the project. I have something that is working and not a big paperweight. Thanks again

Hi there your not alone there's loads of us here new to the CNC build and with limited pockets, and there's loads of members here exploding with knowledge to give us.

about your question of suppliers I am also on my first build and from looking and reading posts here I purchased from KelingStepper Motor, Stepper Motor Driver,CNC Router, Stepper Motor Power Supply, Stepper Motor Kit, DC Servo Motor, Stepper Motor, Stepper Motor Driver, CNC Router, Stepper Motor Power Supply, Stepper Motor Kit, DC Servo Motor, Keling Technology Inc, USA, CNC4PCCNC4PC, and Warp9Warp9 Tech. Design - Home of the SmoothStepper - Home. I found all three suppliers very competitive great to respond to queries and for us the most important thing they all stand over their products. As I myself needed help and had no problem in getting a replacement for a part.

I bought Kelings Digital Drivers KL-8070D Digital Stepper Motor Driver and running their Stepper motors they are fantastic quiet and very, very smooth.

Unless you have an idea of the torque required by your build you really can't get a realistic price of what your build will cost as of yet, as the more torque required will result in a more expensive motor and this in turn requires a more powerful driver etc.

There is another chap who posts here have alook at his website great for advice and fab photos of builds and CNC conversionsHossmachine Homepage

Again these are only suggestions as each and every build is different.

Oh yeah Roton Ball Screws - Ballscrews and Ballnuts - Roton Products another good starting place for ballscrew info they're not the cheapest nor or the dearest, personally I bought my ballscrews from Keling as rolled ballscrews with backlash compensators are just as accurate as ground ballscrews for a tenth of the price....

Good luck with the project.