Micro lathe Zero backlash* conversion

[Jonathan]

Bravo !

Thank you... but spoke to soon I'm afraid.

The backlash is nowhere near zero - 0.04mm on Z and 0.024mm on X. I've tried various preload settings on the Z ballnuts and different amounts of tension on the ballscrew to make sure there's no end-float. I'm therefore not sure where the backlash is coming from. The preloaded ballnut is possibly a little tight in the mount on Z, so that might be it ... I'll have to investigate. Not sure about X :(

To do:
Replace 80mm chuck with 100mm.
Z-motor mount cover.
Get 50V ESC to replace current 24V ESC so I can run up to full speed (about 3000rpm)
Program PIC to read signal from LinuxCNC and output PWM signal for ESC
Currently using 0-50V 20A Lab PSU with a 3000mAh LiPo battery in parallel. The battery allows the motor to be used to it's full power with an underrated PSU so long as the average power is below the rated power of the PSU. I need to buy a more permanent PSU.
Make little 'control panel' to replace old one.

[Robin Hewitt]

Should not be possible to fail.

Quick methodology test...

One nut is bolted to the slide, the other nut is merely prevented from turning.