Hi I converted my X2 to CNC a few years ago. Started with home built L297/L298 driver boards but recently changed to micro stepping controllers from Motion Control Products http://www.motioncontrolproducts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=26&product s_id=3. Link to the PC is via a home built break out board (BOB) but there are plenty of low cost BOBs on the net - suggest you opt for one with optical isolation between the PC and CNC system. With ball screws on all axes (0.2" pitch 5/8" dia NOOK industries) and motors wired bi-polar parallel I can rapid the axes far faster than is practical for such a small machine. I limit the maximum velocity to 20inch/min and machine at lower speeds due to spindle rpm limitations (belt drive conversion recommended) and limitation on machine rigidity.
Motor power comes from a 42VDC / 16Amp home built unregulated psu with an in rush suppressor. Basically, a transformer, bridge rectifier and a large smoothing capacitor. My DRO is again home built but the DRO350 looks a quality item and will be very useful even on manual machine. Regards Andy -----Original Message----- From: Wayne Patterson [mailto:way...@wavelinx.net] Sent: 12 June 2009 15:05 To: Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC) Subject: [Emc-users] X2 conversion Hey Guys, I am at a point that I need to convert my Sieg X2 mill to CNC control. I have found two kits/plans online and wanted to know if anyone on the list has used them? They are the "Steele Company's" conversion kit/plan and the "FigNoggle Designs" kits/plans. For what it is worth I plan on building the parts so I will be using the plans and not the kits. Right now my biggest concern is the electronics. While I am confident in building parts for the machine, the electronics is some what daunting. I have bought three "Linistepper" driver boards and assembled them with satisfactory results. But I 'm lost when it comes to the controllers. From what I have read I am leaning to the Mesa 7I43 to connect the driver boards to the PC. I also want to add DRO using ShumaTechs DRO-350. And was wondering if that could be integrated into EMC some how. If anyone has used any of these parts and/or plans and could give me some advice it would be greatly appreciated. My funds are limited and I don't want to waste it on things that will not work or conflict with EMC. Thanks in advance for any help! lennywayne ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ Crystal Reports - New Free Runtime and 30 Day Trial Check out the new simplified licensing option that enables unlimited royalty-free distribution of the report engine for externally facing server and web deployment. http://p.sf.net/sfu/businessobjects _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crystal Reports - New Free Runtime and 30 Day Trial Check out the new simplified licensing option that enables unlimited royalty-free distribution of the report engine for externally facing server and web deployment. http://p.sf.net/sfu/businessobjects _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
