Hello guys ,
My bridgeport is now running 3 axis cnc with mach 3 free demo software, and i am pretty happy with it, since it is a hobby for me.
x and y axis ballscrew are cheap aliexpress custom made double nut ballscrew 25 mm diam 5 mm lead just like this one
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1pcs...ddresstype=600
The chinese supplier did a very nice job on the shaft tolerances , he reached the dimension to 0.0003in from my drawing dimension. I got both ballscrew completely machined to fit the bridgeport for about 350 $CAD shipping included !!
I made a yoke to fit the chinese nut bolt pattern using the hiwin yoke 2d drawing ( see down the post) I machined a complete solid yoke made of aluminum 6061 t6( enough stiff for what i do with the machine ) The crucial dimension of the yoke is the distance from the two axis to the yoke fixation surface, and the perpendicularity of those axis / surface. I measured my old yoke and added about 0.003 in to the distance in order to compensate for wear( since it is a 1975 BP, and the ways have a little wear on the dovetail).
The third axis is the 6 inches quill, which is not so accurate because of the rack and pinion configuration. It does the job when i have tons of holes to drill. I set Mach3 with backlash compensation , and it is handling it pretty well. I now plan to take the quill motor out and install it using a planetary gear ( ali express chinese nema 34 size!!! ) unit on the knee power screw for better accuracy.
I will try to put down some picture soon.
So for V8kid and jfroux_1 , if you guys have little money to spend on that project i suggest you start with chinese ballscrews. And btw, if you use those dfu2505 ballscrews , the nut flange dont need to be machined since it clears inside the knee.
I hope it helps you