leadscrew conversion thoughts

[JAZZCNC]

Geoffrey would there be any chance you could post pictures with the Cam/Motor assembly off the machine with a top down view.

From what I'm seeing then it doesn't look like it will be a massive Job to achieve thou you will need the top of the Ballscrew supported if using Timing pulley setup other wise the tension will obviously try to bend it causing sticking.! You can easily get away with the bottom hanging unsupported but not the top.

[GEOFFREY]

Hi,
Thanks for your comments, I am posting some pics of my spare carriage so you can see how it travels on the X axis and carries the Z axis slide.

The heavy duty top plate will need to be retained to allow fixing of the X axis ball nut and linear scale. Everything else above that level will be removed.

I like the idea of mounting the Z ball screw nut at the bottom of the slide and fixed bearing to the heavy duty plate, but am a bit concerned that this would leave the ball nut and the end 50/60mm of ball screw exposed to sawdust.

Regards
Geoff

[GEOFFREY]

Jazz, thanks for the suggestion, you are right it makes far more sense to do that. I am getting the bottom bored out for the ballnut and will worry about sawdust etc later. G

[JAZZCNC]

Jazz, thanks for the suggestion, you are right it makes far more sense to do that. I am getting the bottom bored out for the ballnut and will worry about sawdust etc later. G

Geoff Am I missing something.?

Can't see how your going to do it with ballnut at the bottom.? The screw would need to hang down below the Z axis to give available travel.!!

[JAZZCNC]

Sorry to be a pain but can you give some top down shots of the spare assembly with Z axis close to in place has possible.

Also of the Z axis like pic 1538 in post #11 but tuther way round.!

Don't think this would be a major job to mount in traditional way but without clear pics of clearances etc then it's difficult to tell.
Thou less than the ideal I'm sure with the width of the Y axis carriage that some form of offset screw could be adapted if needed and eliminate any ugly screw sticking out the bottom and risk of damage to screw.

[GEOFFREY]

Jazz, I've read most of your threads, and don't understand how anyone could think you a pain!!!

Seriously tho' I think that the ballnut at the bottom is the best solution, with or without a second bearing.

The top of the Z slide is only 39mm wide (I thought it was wider) with the 24mm hole just 3mmin from the back. The bottom is about 60mm Behind the spindle).

The back of the Z slide fits back (minimum clearance) tight to the X axis carriage.

The 1605 ballnut is 28mm dia so I can offset the leadscrew in the 24mm hole and bore out the bottom of the slide to accomodate the offset and ballnut.

I was worried about the ballnut beig exposed to dust etc.,but the leadscrew will only be exposed when the slide is near the top of its travel.

I will try to assemble the spare Z slide tomorrow and post some pics. Your comments are much appreciated as my original idea w0uld have meant using a

smaller, more expensive ballscrew.

Thanks again, G.