Lead Screw Max Length?

[sieg01]

I know there can be some problems with long lead screws. Is there a length when this starts to be an issue? What kinds of problems do you start to see? Are there things I can do to help to try and mitigate it?

My goal is to be able to cut blanks for skis/snowboard/kiteboards up to 160cm. So for that I would need a min cutting area of 20 inches x 62 inches.

Thanks!
Bryce

[ger21]

At higher speeds, screws start to whip. Screw manufacturers have critical speed charts. Above these speeds is where problems occur. You can find a chart at www.nookind.com

[sieg01]

Opps.. posted to the project log forum by accident... can i still move it?

[sieg01]

Thanks for the link!

So using 1/2-10 acme I could get something like ~40-50 ipm max on that axis if everything is working OK. Probably run it at less then that as a safety factor.

That would still be pretty good in my situation.

I suppose if I ever wanted to go bigger or faster then I would have to make the switch to rack and pinion?

[ger21]

Don't use 1/2-10 single start acme. Use 1/2-8 2 start, 1/2-10 2 start, or 1/2-10 5 start. Check out the Joe's Hybrid machines people are building. You can get around 300ipm with 1/2-10 5 start acme.