RF45 Clone CNC Conversion Started

[Bird_E]

I have begun the conversion of a Lathemaster RF45 Clone. I have some pictures on a new web site that I just started.
Check it out if your interested. I should be adding alot more content in the comming days /weeks.
http://www.rlberg.com

Thanks!
Bob

[acondit]

Bob,

What servos are you using on this conversion?

Alan

[pete from TN]

I have the same lathemaster mill and I am getting ready to do my own conversion. If you do not mind where did you get the servos and how much were they, what are the specs? Which ballscrews did you get and where, any and all details would be great. Like the ultra beefy mounting you are doing. Only thing I might have done different is the z mount, a friend has the same machine as well and he did his out of aluminum for the z and had to redo it in steel to get it to stay where he wanted it and also to not flex I think he said. Nice work and the machining looks very well done. Are you surfacing these parts on the other cnc and with an endmill or facemill? What are you gonna do to keep swarf and coolant off the motors and belt drives? Inquiring minds wanna know.... Peace man...

Pete Matos
865-363-9218


P.S. if you can gimme a call, I love to chat with other guys with similar interests let alone similar machines.. Peace

[pete from TN]

Can't wait for another installment....peace....

[BrendaEM]

In the RF4.5, how did you surface the end of the base to accept the plate? Did you use the SX3, with its head turned 90 Degrees?

[Bird_E]

The internal Zmount is still using the the original cast iron. I used an 1" alum. adaptor to mount the ball nut. The Z and Y Axis are all made from 1" 6061 alum plate with back to back angular contact bearings.
The base was machined on a large monarch VMC tha guys at work did for me. This is going to allow me to mount the Y axis to the back of the base instead of the from. I should get 10 -11" of travel in Y when all done.

I'm about to start the X axis soon. I need to still come up with a plan for protecting everything from swarf.

I just scored a Bijur automatic oiler from ebay so I need to work out the lubrication system as well.

The ball screws are 3/4" 5 TPI Ground. I also found them on ebay.

More to come
Bob

[pete from TN]

So you are gonna go thru the back of the machine with the y axis mount. I thought from the pics that was the front but it is hard to tell. I like the idea of going out the back to keep junk off the motor and drive. What kind and size servos are you using and where did you get them? Again, really like the beefy mounts you are doing. I am going to be starting my conversion after I finish this current job I am working on that needs the mill for some serious hole boring using a boring head as well as some profiling. Are you gonna attatch the encoders to the screws or the motor shafts? I am really interested in your buildup because I am going to be using ideas from this one and a few from another mill already under power. Lots of neat ideas and differing ways of accomplishing the same thing. So you are saying you machined the z axis ballnut mount and finished the bore to accept your bushing a-la Industrial hobbies website. I like the look of your mounts for the ballnuts, the preloaded nuts are beefy and look very professional in your machined mounts. Nice workmanship there. The nut carrier is aluminum and the bush is steel? Thanks for the information man...peace...

Pete Matos
865-363-9218
Matospeter@charter.net


p.s. where are ya located?

[Bird_E]

I have just posted some more pictures and information on my site. It should answer some more of your questions.
Erie, Colorado.

[Bird_E]

Originally Posted by BrendaEM In the RF4.5, how did you surface the end of the base to accept the plate? Did you use the SX3, with its head turned 90 Degrees?

I started to do it with the X3, but it was taking too long. So I brough the base into work and had it done on a big Monarch VMC.

[jalessi]

Bob,

I was wondering if you are leaving the ballscrews floating on one end or will they be supported?

Your CNC Controller "rack mount chassis" is really thought out well, superb layout! The cleanest I have ever seen.

Awesome Work!

Jeff Alessi
jalessi@aol.com

[Bird_E]

I'm going to leave the screws floating at one end. Based upon my X3 conversion which also has them floating, It has never caused an issue. The screws will never really spin that fast to be a concern.
Bob

[jalessi]

Bob,

Are all three axis floating?

With the ballscrew floating will the machine hold a .001 tolerance?

I like the idea of the floating ballscrew, without the additional bearing support and only a 1/2 length screw the difference in cost and time for the all three axis should save several hundred dollars.

I am always short on cash for toys so a couple of hundred dollars is alot to me.

Thanks for taking the time to explain your work.

Sincerely,

Jeff Alessi