[waddell]

Howdy All,

I've been lurking here for quite a while and have finally bought a machine for use in my garage and a little side gig working with high school kids and their robotics club projects.

2 months ago I bought a 1996 machine from the original owner. It was in pretty decent shape except a little rattle that we originally thought was just worn vari-speed bushings. Turned out to also have badly worn spindle pulley and splined hubs
Well, I replaced the hubs and installed all new bearings, bushings & belts in the top end. Spindle bearings are still original.

I'm now in the final stages of getting the garage properly situated so I can move the machine from it's temporary waypoint to new home. Should be in the next couple weeks.

Now for the meat of my post:

I would like to convert the Z axis (quill) to cnc similar or identical to the 3 axis EZ TRAKs and have some questions. I, like many others, can't afford to break the bank for this.

Hardware:
Where to get the mechanical parts, all of the parts ? I've done a fair amount of web searching and see that Elrod produces a nice looking setup, are there others. I have not contacted Elrod regarding compatibility with the original software.
Who else offers aftermarket quill conversion hardware?
Is there a source for the oem parts?

Software:
Is EMI the only source for axis boards that are compatible?

I have read in other threads that the original 2 axis software will also work for 3 axis, is this true?
If so, are there changes like jumpers to be revised on the BMDC?

I'm just starting this quest so please bear with me.

Waddell

[reabdet21]

I have a 3rd axis housing from Elrod and the Z axis ball screw. All of that was in a box I purchased and I don't know if it is complete.

Not sure if you have the version of the BMDC that will work for 3 axis. The later ones are compatible. I know you would need a servo motor and servo drive. EMI would be able to tell you what you need.

[waddell]

Could you PM some pics of what you have and what you might have to have for it?

[WagonWheel]

See post #5 in this thread.

I installed my own from EMI and will add that it would have been better to pay a technician to do the installation. There is a good bit of wiring and the instructions were lacking. In the end it is really worth having the 3rd.

[waddell]

Ah yes WW, I read that post of yours. You make it sound like the electrical was the difficult part?

How was the mechanical conversion, any chance you took pics of that portion?

Thanks,