3040Z machine spindle upgrade/modification

[komatias]

Hi,

I have one of those too. Apart from the electronics needing seeing to( drivers, cables, switches, safety circuits, motion controller) it is a cute little engraver.

When a ballscrew gets taken apart and all the balls fall out, as long as you have all the balls, not everything is lost.

I cover the inside tracks in clear grease or vaseline and just stick the balls in one by one. this is not recommended on every ballscrew mind you, only on cheapo ones. There is a youtube video demonstrating this I think.

Otherwise new ballscrew and nut I am afraid

The spindle mount is an extrusion that you can remove and replace with a carrier plate and bearings housings.
The bushings pushed into the extrusion can be removed without losing the ball bearings.

I was going to extend the Z to convert the machine into a 3D printer...time...