Sounds like we might have a plan here then, I think you've convinced me to keep the motors on it and go for those drivers.

So in terms of parts I need to purchase:

-Three servo drives (the ones you linked me to)
-Three Rotary encoders for back end of motors ( I'll make them fit somehow I'm sure!)
-Breakout board to link drivers to PC? (this is where I start getting a bit confused...)
-PC control software (any recommendations that would be compatible with all these parts?)

I must be missing lots of other stuff I'm sure?


Before I order anything I think I'll give it a bit of a strip down and try and sort out some of the backlash issues. Good idea about the machine drawings, I'll see what is around.