Hello,
has anyone converted a rotary axis into a fully controlled 4th axis with a brake, it doesn't matter if it was on a lathe or mill or even making a 4th.
i have a boxford 165 Hmc and the table (a axis) has a ratchet wheel on the underside of the table and it only allows 1 way movement in 45deg increments so I want to strip off the ratchet and worm wheel and fit a disc brake and HTD timing pulley then mount the motor vertically with a timing pulley on the shaft, but before I start I have some questions,

if I got a bigger motor would it "hold" the axis in place during milling without having to fit a brake?

Would a stepper be ok or would a servo be better for the application?

if I fit a brake are my only 2 options either hydraulic or pneumatic?

i don't have any hydraulics on the machine is there a small system that can be installed or is air better?

Any info is good info thanks,
chris w.