Links to worm gears for 4th axis

[mocnc]

[mocnc]

ok not sure what went wrong, but here goes again.......

I am wanting to build a 4 axis, I need to locate some good suppliers that will ship to canada or better yet that are in canada. I have heard alot about a company called Boston Gears, does anyone have the web site address for them? My idea is to use a worm gear assembly for my 4th axis. Does anyone have any ideas or recommendations that would help in making my 4th axis? Is it better to make my own chucks/head stocks and tail stocks or purchase? I don't have a machine shop so the 4th axis would be made out of either pvc or mdf. I think a 40:1 ratio is what I am shooting for using a stepper motor. Or cause I am using a stepper motor, could I use a 1:1 ratio? I want to use my 4th axis to help in making pool cues and as well as doing inlaying on pool cues.

[HuFlungDung]

Have you thought about what software you will use for this purpose? Pricey, if you want to do live rotary axis milling. It doesn't "go with" the MDF indexer principle

Have you considered a simple indexer for this purpose? Something like a 5C collet closer in a spin index fixture? That way, you'd only have to machine a pocket in each position. Less expensive software required.

Just a couple of thoughts for you to ponder.

You can purchase gears from Emerson as well: http://www.emerson-ept.com/
I don't know as I would recommend building a gearbox yourself, though. You might be farther ahead to buy a simple indexer (or dividing head) off someone on Ebay.

[Torsten]

Yes Software for true multy axes machining can get expensive.
There is a trick you could use for simple stuff.
Layout your cad as a flat pattern then scale the Yaxes to messure at 360 units per rotation.
At the machine manualy position Y at the center of rotation then unplug the
Y axes drivecable and plug it into your Rotary axes motor.
Seams to work what I heard from other people.
Also saves some money because you dont need the drivers for a 4th axes.

You could use the savings on a small rotary table and a chuck.
This should give you a head start in converting it to cnc.
Good Luck