Spindle help

[studysession]

Hi -

I am looking for a small light weight spindle that is still very durable. I am building a 6 axis cnc router. Will work with wood and soft steel and aluminum.

I am having a hard time to decide on what to use. Looking for advice from the experts.

Thanks

[srmaietta]

cool drawings, good luck with the machine! Depending on the overall size of your machine, perhaps you could adpat an x2 or x3 mini mill head. Or maybe a sherline mini mill head? Might also think of trying a laminate trimmer and geraing it down maybe 3:1 with a belt or two, that should give you a good bit of torque, and with a variable speed drive, a good range of RPM's. The thing is that for cutting steel you need relatively low RPM's, and for wood you want high RPM's. Its tough to get that rnage with one motor. Since this is going to be fully custom you might think of having two diff spindles depending on what youre planning on cutting.

gotta tell us what size youre planning on making the machine.. XYZ envelope is a good place to start.

~Steve

[studysession]

Thanks - The drawing I pulled from another site though. The mill will have a cutting area a little bigger than 3 foot by 3 foot. Made from mostly 8020 extrusion aluminum from www.8020.net

The aluminum should be here by the weekend. I started using MDF but decided to switch. I want to do a full 6 axis machine. I have the motors and controllers. I am using Mach3 which supports 6 axis. Now just need to figure out which spindle.

[ger21]

What's your budget? Maybe the smallest spindle from http://www.ekstromcarlson.com/spindle%20motors.htm

Probably about $1500 or so.

[veteq]

Hello,

maybe this will be helpfull,

from low price to plus:

pulley drive:
http://www.sherlineipd.com/spindles.htm
http://www.profimaschinen.de/spindel...eleinheit.html
http://www.finleyspindles.com/contactus.htm
http://www.setcousa.com/index.cfm?fu...B36703489C9997

non puleydrive

http://www.eltesrl.com/inglese/prodotti.htm
http://www.nsk-nakanishi.co.jp/en/in...imf_index.html
http://www.alfredjaeger.de/

regards,

roy bakker.

[studysession]

Thanks for the links - Some are out of my price range but does give me a few idea. Appreciate it.

[toneV8]

Originally Posted by studysession I have the motors and controllers. I am using Mach3 which supports 6 axis. .

What kaind 6axis controllers and motors you have.

[walter]

Originally Posted by ger21 What's your budget? Maybe the smallest spindle from http://www.ekstromcarlson.com/spindle%20motors.htm Probably about $1500 or so.

Gerry, do you have any experience with these spindles? Are they US build or original Fimec?

[ger21]

No idea, but I've heard they are reasonably priced.

[walter]

I think one of the members bought one like a year ago... I have to find that person and ask a few questions.

Thanks.