[thewoodnerd]

I'm considering the ZX45 from WT Tools for my first mill.

My major concern is the gear head. Because of the noise and heat, I'd like to convert it over to a belt drive. I know it can be done, because I've come across references to it, but how difficult is it? Keep in mind that I'm very new to machining and don't have access to another mill. I guess my ultimate goal is a variable speed setup for with spindle control for CNC.

Speaking of CNC, all I see are servo conversions, I've never seen anyone doing a stepper version. Why is that?

[photomankc]

Steppers will work, bigger mills were done using them. But they may be slow since generally the bigger steppers tend to need very high voltage to keep much torque at high RPM. Drivers that can handle that get pricey. I've seen a couple conversions off the zone that were stepper based but they were slow compared to the servo videos I have seen.

[rowbare]

Do a few searches here. Several users have done belt drive conversions as part of their RF-45 conversions. Here are a couple to get you started, there are several more. I'll leave it to you to find where they talk about the belt conversion.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bencht...g_started.html
Pete was going to sell his machine at one point. I am not sure if he has or not.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bencht...ce_needed.html

good luck
bob

[hoss2006]

The Tormach PCNC1100 does quite well using steppers.
The Novakon NM-200, Smithy 1240 and Most Syil machines are also stepper driven.
Hoss

[eartaker]

Thewoodnerd,

the conversion for the belt drive isn't complicated or hard if you have some experience machining and the right tools. BUT you will need a mill and a lathe to do the work. You could get your mill running under cnc and use the gear drive to machine the needed parts. Servos seem to be the way everyone goes on the 45's but as hoss said the tormach and others do well with steppers.

[arizonavideo]

The quick fix is to just change the motor to a 3,600 RMP one. You can have it running in a day. Run a lighter oil like Mobil 1

Turn the shaft to 19mm and cut a new key way and make a adapter mount.

You will get about 3,800 RPM for top speed which is fine for most stuff.

[cyclestart]

My ZAY7045 is quiet, much quieter than my X2 when it was gear driven. ymmv.
More rpm would be nice.

[LUCKY13]

You give it some RPM and it want be so quit. ALthough each head seems to be different as to how much noise that turns into. Gear finish, alignment, bearings, oil used and a few other things effects this.


Its a shame they dont just use hylical cut gears, then they would be much quiter and could handle the RPM better. I guess it would require a much better assy technic to get them right when they build them and this would cost money and time ( heaven forbid them figuring out how to do it right).


I have offten thought about using the gear set out of a old american 4 speed tranny inside the head of my machine. This would also allow shifting while running:banana:. Stronger too. But I dont know if it could be made to fit.

Jess