Newbie Sieg X3 and or Warco WM18 CNC conversions

[Mat]

Is it an X3 you've converted?

Yes, though it's not 100% complete yet, the mechanicals are done and I've got the motors spinning in the bench but I've not put it all together yet.
Also, I went with these massive 8Nm Nema 34 steppers that a friend donated and the mounts are made are massive so I'm already planning Mk2 !

Just thinking, it could be feasible to have the regular ball nut (or indeed a double nut) mounted backwards on the screw to gain the maximum amount of travel. Would need to offset the BK mounting further forward from the front of the saddle but that should be easy enough with a suitable lump of aluminium. It would protrude more and really necessitate the stepper going off to the side with the pulleys and belt or I'd never get past the thing in the garage .

Yes you can push the nuts forward to gain space and you'll get more space on the underside, but you don't gain any headroom.

Another thought: if you're planning to offset the stepper, on Y you'll need to offset upwards as there's no space to go sideways, you've got maybe 80mm width until you hit the dovetails.

I'm currently modelling a homebrew double nut 1204 solution:




In theory the length will end up being 74-77mm so would need extra space on the Y.

Not sure if I want to grind my nuts!!

It's not ideal, but it's not too horrific. You'll need to take the nuts apart to clean them after grinding - daunting if you've never done it but there are vids out there and all you need is grease get the balls to stay in place as you load them back in.

[CNCMEBABY]

Yes you can push the nuts forward to gain space and you'll get more space on the underside, but you don't gain any headroom.

That sounds good...

Another thought: if you're planning to offset the stepper, on Y you'll need to offset upwards as there's no space to go sideways, you've got maybe 80mm width until you hit the dovetails.

Maybe it won't be so critical to offset the Y in that case as I'll be losing the power feed from the end and all the space it takes up. I could retain the pulley drive and have the stepper on the same plane but just offset it towards the rear a bit, losing one of the pulley thicknesses from the equation.

I might have to draw my ideas up in Fusion tonight, I have the saddle modelled up already and a picture speaks more words after all, but then I might just measure up again get the screws ordered and take it from there.