x2 conversion costs

[boosttw]

Hi all,

I'm trying to get a ballpark cost on converting an x2 to cnc. I previously had a MaxNC 15 closed loop.

I'll be machining small production runs of aluminum parts out of 6061 for rc cars and motorcycles. Mostly 1/8 to 1/4" thick. I'm hoping this machine could handle that.

Also would the cost of upgrading an x3 be roughly the same? I cant seem to find any complete kits, but can do the conversion myself.

I do have the cad and cam software already as well.

Thanks!!!

[Crevice Reamer]

Here's the electronics:


$299 G540 http://geckodrive.com/product.aspx?c=3&i=14469
$078 Two $39 KL23H276-28-4B 270 oz motors for X & Y
$049 One KL23H284-35-4B 387 oz motor for Z
$060 One KL-350-48 48V/7.3A power supply.
$010 Estop switch
$007 3 Home switches
$009 Straight thru parallel computer cable.
-------
$512

$149 Mach3 license when purchased with motors.

All of this is available from Keling:

http://kelinginc.net/

The X3 costs more to CNC until we find a way to use G540 with it also.

CR.

[HimyKabibble]

Originally Posted by Crevice Reamer Here's the electronics: $299 G540 http://geckodrive.com/product.aspx?c=3&i=14469 $078 Two $39 KL23H276-28-4B 270 oz motors for X & Y $049 One KL23H284-35-4B 387 oz motor for Z $060 One KL-350-48 48V/7.3A power supply. $010 Estop switch $007 3 Home switches $009 Straight thru parallel computer cable. ------- $512 $149 Mach3 license when purchased with motors. All of this is available from Keling: http://kelinginc.net/ The X3 costs more to CNC until we find a way to use G540 with it also. CR.

Ballscrews??? Bearings? Shaft couplers?

Regards,
Ray L.

[Crevice Reamer]

Originally Posted by Crevice Reamer Here's the electronics:

Why didn't YOU contribute something useful Ray?

CR.

[jalessi]

Checkout CNC Fusion for a complete mechanical parts "ballscrew" conversion:

http://www.cncfusion.com/minimill1.html

Three NEMA23 motor mounts, thrust bearings for each axis, shaft collars, lovejoy spider motor couplings, ballscrews for the X-Y-Z axis, and metric cap screws. You do not need to modify your mill to install this kit.
$559.00

Hoss has some of the conversion parts also however you will need to machine several of them.

http://www.hossmachine.info/store.html

Please note the parts in the picture are from CNC Fusion.

Jeff...

[Regnar]

I have the CNCfusion #4 kit with Pre Loaded Ball nut and the Heli-Cals. I started out with the Lovejoy couplers and wasnt happy at all with the amount of backlash the introduced into the system. Now I am extremely happy with the kit. I think I paid around 780.00 for the kit.

I have the Xylotex 3 axis kit. Is it the best kit out there, probably not. Does it do the work, yes. Does it give me any problems, havent had any yet. Paid 310.00 for everything.

Software has been free so far. Emc2 Free, Cad is Free, Cam was not so free but I use it on different machines. I think you probably already have a grip on what software you need or already have.

I am happy and impressed with the whole experience. I have used it to make a cnc router out of aluminum and I start making one for my brother here soon. 1/4 isnt going to be a problem at all. I have milled up to 2 inches, obvious not in single cut. I usually can do 1/4 in 3 to 4 passes with ramping in and a decent speed. Here is a video of me doing 45ipm at a .05 depth.

Something to also consider is an enclosure, and power drawbar. These will make life simpler and keep the mess down. I should be done with the drawbar by this weekend. I might have 200.00 invested into both.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3518469489970451444
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7602467854318993567

[boosttw]

Thanks for the info so far. What does a power draw bar do?

[Crevice Reamer]

Originally Posted by boosttw Thanks for the info so far. What does a power draw bar do?

Power Draw bar example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mb5u...layer_embedded

PDB makes unattended Auto Tool Changer possible:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7c6A...layer_embedded

CR.

[hoss2006]

A little dated but still pretty close conversion costs.
Hoss

[boosttw]

So based on below I'm looking at about $1100. Any other costs or is this everything?

$299 G540 http://geckodrive.com/product.aspx?c=3&i=14469
$078 Two $39 KL23H276-28-4B 270 oz motors for X & Y
$049 One KL23H284-35-4B 387 oz motor for Z
$060 One KL-350-48 48V/7.3A power supply.
$010 Estop switch
$007 3 Home switches
$009 Straight thru parallel computer cable.
-------
$512


Three NEMA23 motor mounts, thrust bearings for each axis, shaft collars, lovejoy spider motor couplings, ballscrews for the X-Y-Z axis, and metric cap screws. You do not need to modify your mill to install this kit.
$559.00






Any pros and cons on the Xylotex 3 axis kit versus the G540 gecko?

[mhackney]

I a doing my X2 conversion now and am using the Gecko G540. The 540 is really nice, it significantly simplifies wiring since everything is built in to a single box. IMO this not only saves a lot of time hooking things up, but should be more reliable since there are fewer wiring connections that could fail. I used a Xylotex on a CNC router I built a few years ago and it was a hodge podge of wiring!

I am doing the mounts and mechanicals myself. And, I am starting with the stock X ad Y screws. I'll get that up and running and then decide how I want to proceed. I have talked to a number of builders who have gone this route and with split nuts on the stock screws, can get the backlash down to .001 or less. I am also putting thrust bearings in the Y. I do have a thread going with my build if you want to check it.

cheers,
Michael

[Crevice Reamer]

It's worth investing in the Helical couplings.

Originally Posted by boosttw Any pros and cons on the Xylotex 3 axis kit versus the G540 gecko?

No comparison! the G540 is FAR superior. You really do get what you pay for. G540 also contains free circuitry to control spindle speed through Mach3. It also comes with DB9 connectors for your cabling.

Keling has a new motor coming that may be a better choice than the 270s with G540:

KL23H2100-35-4B

http://kelinginc.net/NEMA23Motor.html

You will need cable for motors and Home/limit switches. This is what I use. It comes in a 100 ft roll:

BELDEN 8723-100 STEPPER MOTOR CABLE WIRE

$32 http://www.fullcompass.com/product/305455.html 3 WK SHP

$33? http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/catalogs/c273/P101.pdf

$38 http://www.mcmelectronics.com/produc...100-/36F1033WA

$39 http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/sto...oductId=734180

$40 http://www.markertek.com/Product.asp...&utm_campaign=

$44 http://www.alliedelec.com/Search/Pro...SC=8723+060100

EUROPE http://www.cable-world.co.uk/online.htm

CR.