What is the Total Cost of Conversion (Excluding the Mill)

[dazp1976]

Thanks for the response - what does an entry level machine cost. I did look at this but the numbers seamed out of reach for me

I was considering 2k for the machine and £1500 for the conversion but still trying to cost all the parts needed to convert a machine and control it. Some of the want to do a conversion is for fun but also learning something new (if that makes sense)

Cheers

If set on doing a conversion then, at 2k get an Amadeal VM32L with R8.
I would say for 1.5k it is possible to convert it with the right choice of components.

80-90vdc or 60-70vac toroidal power. Drivers that can take 80vac/110vdc like:
DM860T drivers https://www.omc-stepperonline.com/di...or-dm860t.html
and these: X, Y
https://www.omc-stepperonline.com/ne...m-4-wires.html
Z,
https://www.omc-stepperonline.com/ne...m-4-wires.html
from stepperonline.

Combination of high voltage and lowish inductance will give good performance.
For ballscrews it gets trickier. If you can fit them in you want DFU2005 double nut all round (or DFU1605 on x, y if too tight a fit).
Now, some out there are total crap so watch out.
Good ones still likely need tweaking on the pre load.

Make your own bearing mounts, nut mounts, motor mounts and fit with AC bearings. Material cost is the main dilemma here.
For bearings I use Dunlop AC on my 25 mill, price is good afaic.

For controller I think a UC400eth, UCSB type breakout board, UCCNC software, and a cheap laptop from ebay, would be the best value.
I'll look at breakout boards later.


I converted manual first for x, y. Then used x, y to make z.
Then re-did x, y.