Threaded bar, steper motor and a plasma cutter.. your thoughts?

[WandrinAndy]

Now to find a supplier of pulleys and belts..... I found Zapp Automation (http://www.zappautomation.co.uk) are they good? Are there any better ones available?

I have no idea how different suppliers or components compare, but I recently got my belts and pulleys from 5mm HTD® Timing Belts [4575] : Beltingonline.com, Supplier of power transmission and conveying products based on a pointer from somewhere on this forum, and was more than happy with their service.

[Ricardoco]

I have no idea how different suppliers or components compare, but I recently got my belts and pulleys from 5mm HTD® Timing Belts [4575] : Beltingonline.com, Supplier of power transmission and conveying products based on a pointer from somewhere on this forum, and was more than happy with their service.

As was I andy, and i got my pulleys from here:=
Pulleys - Timing Pulleys

Im sure there are many alternatives but i asked sometime ago on this forum,and they were the most popular suggestions.
Incidently they do chain and sprockets on Belting online as well..

Rick

[gr8fun]

I have no idea how different suppliers or components compare, but I recently got my belts and pulleys from 5mm HTD® Timing Belts [4575] : Beltingonline.com, Supplier of power transmission and conveying products based on a pointer from somewhere on this forum, and was more than happy with their service.

Ohh and they are about 5 miles away, just down the M27.... and half the price of zapp automation for the belts and pulleys. Thank you!!

As was I andy, and i got my pulleys from here:=
Pulleys - Timing Pulleys

These guys do some great prices on bearings too (their belts and pulleys are competitive as well) - VERY handy.
Much appreciated

Danny

[Jonathan]

These guys do some great prices on bearings too (their belts and pulleys are competitive as well) - VERY handy.
Much appreciated

Bearing station's prices on the timing pulleys work out better than beltingonline by the time you include VAT and delivery, although if you've not got a lathe to bore them it may be worth paying the extra and using beltingonline.

You're not going to get anywhere with 8mm threaded rod. Even if you use pulleys to have a high ratio between the motor and screw, to compensate for the low pitch, you're still not going to get a very good speed because the efficiency of the drive system is so low. Driving the X and Y axes with a belt directly may be the way to go since the forces on the head are low, so the lack of rigidity with this system isn't such a big deal so long as the gantry is quite light.