New build - Screw specification???

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Hi all,

I have a couple of questions for you.....

1- The machine I am looking at building is a router with a travel distance of approx 600mm on the X axis and 500mm on the Y. I would like it to be quite accurate so what do you suggest, ball screw or something else and what size?? Also what would be a good travel distance for the Z?

2- Looking at using the mach3 software to run it but do i need a specific pitch screw and a specific stepper motor or is it configurable in the software? Had a look but can't see any obvious way of adjusting it.

These may seem like dumb questions to some of you but this is my first machine build and everything is pretty new to me, just trying to save myself some money and time by listening to other peoples experiences.

Thanks.

1. Don't think you can beat ballscrew for accuracy with trapezoidal screws a good cheaper alternative. I use rack and pinion on my Y axis (longest) and it works very well indeed, also gives me the option of easily extending the Y axis should I need to.

My Z axis has approx 145mm BUT when making the Zaxis plate (the static one that rides on the Y rails), I made it so that I can raise it another 100mm by moving the whole assembly up. It doesn't change the Z range but it does allow me to put extra thick material on the machine and gives a good height to fit a rotary 4th axis, so PLAN AHEAD, it took 10 minutes to drill the extra holes.

2, as the others have said, Mach will work with any screw, belt,rack, motor. You just need to tell it how many steps per unit (mm or inch) and it works the rest out. Just ask when you come to this bit and someone will fill you in on how to work out your steps per unit.

What do you plan on making with the router as that can have quite a bearing on how you spec your hardware.

Welcome to the forum BTW

Jeff.