X2/SX2 CNC conversion without ball screws?

[Bmr4life]

Anyone still do this? All the conversions I see posted include a CNCfusion kit or some DIY ball screws.

[rewster]

It's possible, sure. Mach 3 will compensate for the backlash, but it's best to get it as low as possible first. Even with ballscrews, I have .003"-.008" backlash in my axes....most of that, I believe, is from the lovejoy couplers. If you put an anti-backlash nut setup on the stock lead screw and use zero-backlash couplers, you could probably reduce the slop to an acceptable level.

For me, the mounts included with the fusion kit sealed the deal. Very nice fit/finish. The ballscrews themselves aren't too terribly expensive if you turn the ends yourself. You can always make your own mounts for now and upgrade to ballscrews later.

[Bmr4life]

It's possible, sure. Mach 3 will compensate for the backlash, but it's best to get it as low as possible first. Even with ballscrews, I have .003"-.008" backlash in my axes....most of that, I believe, is from the lovejoy couplers. If you put an anti-backlash nut setup on the stock lead screw and use zero-backlash couplers, you could probably reduce the slop to an acceptable level.

For me, the mounts included with the fusion kit sealed the deal. Very nice fit/finish. The ballscrews themselves aren't too terribly expensive if you turn the ends yourself. You can always make your own mounts for now and upgrade to ballscrews later.

I was thinking it would be more cost effective to buy a lathe with the money saved from not buying the fusion kit.

[eartaker]

Bmr4life,

When I converted my X2 I used the stock screws and have never converted them to ball screws. There will be backlash and mach can compensate but you want to try and get it as low as possible. You can split the nuts halfway through and add a setscrew to help take up some of the backlash. Also if you are looking to save some money look at the Probotix kits 3-Axis CNC Stepper Motor Driver Kits. I used the probotix and have had 0 issues in the past 2 years.

You can see here on another uses build what I am talking about with the nut.

[photomankc]

Sure you can. I'm running my machine on stock screws right now and it works pretty darn well. Problem for me is that on the X axis since it is so long the backlash at the center is different than at the edges so I had to error map the screw to get decent accuracy outside the center zone. If I adjust it out to low values in the middle it will bind at the edges.

I'll be going to ball screws soon because the higher friction at the edges of travel has meant that I have to run pretty slow to insure I don't stall at the ends of the tables and I have to avoid any cutting outside the center 13" of travel of the 17" I have.

[Bmr4life]

Nice, thanks for the replies

Eartaker, which Probotix set is sufficient?

[eartaker]

I went with the Monster kit with the 40v power supply, but allot of people are getting away with lower torque motors. 3-Axis Monster Stepper Motor Driver Kit - 3-Axis Monster Stepper Motor Driver Kit

[Bmr4life]

I went with the Monster kit with the 40v power supply, but allot of people are getting away with lower torque motors. 3-Axis Monster Stepper Motor Driver Kit - 3-Axis Monster Stepper Motor Driver Kit

Thanks, but how much less is that? $475 with the 40v PS. Aren't G540 kits around $600 with ~400oz motors?

[hoss2006]

A 3 axis g540 kit is only $455 at keling, the best performance for the money.
Hoss

[eartaker]

All depends on what you want. I have never used the g540 but it gets good reviews.

[Bmr4life]

A 3 axis g540 kit is only $455 at keling, the best performance for the money.
Hoss

What's the difference between KL23H284-35-4B & KL23H2100-35-4B motors?

I see you say to get the KL23H2100-35-4B on your website. You also call out the 4 axis kit, but I assume I could just get a 3 axis and add a 4th motor later if I ever wanted to.

[hoss2006]

Not much difference but the KL23H2100-35-4B (381) has a lower inductance which
would give a little better top speed, if sold out the 387's are perfectly fine too.
Hoss