rung fu clone RF-45 ZX45 cnc conversion

Hello,
I am enjoying your conversion (still reading it). Thanks for sharing it!
I see you are only 150 miles from me. I'm in Titusville, FL.
I just pulled the trigger on a Grizzly G0755. Unfortunately, it says it's not available for immediate delivery. If it's going to be too long, I may cancel and go with another option.
I intend to follow in your footsteps for a cnc conversion. I am a long time user of Mach3 with a Taig cnc mill and a scratch built cnc router. I also have a cnc Sherline lathe that is almost operational. It was a Spectra school machine and came to me without electronics. I also have some manual machines.
I acquired a new rf-45 clone lower half a while back (gotta love Craig's list!) with the intention of fabricating a column and head, but decided to buy a machine to convert instead.
I'm sure I'll have many questions.
 
Hi Ron
if I can be of any help just ask
it sounds like we took about the same path into cnc, I purchased a denford (sherline ) cnc mill and lathe and had to change over the electronics to get them running. then I converted my zx45 and my 9x20 lathe.
steve
 
Thanks!
I forgot to mention I also have an Enco 9x20 lathe that is a good candidate for cnc (no gearbox).
Grizzly said they are "expecting" a delivery at the end of the month, but no firm date. I canceled and am shopping again. I may revisit the homebrew column. I got the bright idea of using used cast iron from car engines and such. A couple of linear slides would look good on there.
I have a 3 hp 3ph motor and a vfd, so that would be a leg up. I'd really like a 30 taper or 40 taper spindle to ease the tool changer project I'm sure is in the future.

If anyone has a column, please let me know.

jumps4 said:
Hi Ron
if I can be of any help just ask
it sounds like we took about the same path into cnc, I purchased a denford (sherline ) cnc mill and lathe and had to change over the electronics to get them running. then I converted my zx45 and my 9x20 lathe.
steve
Click to expand...
 
Hi,

My build is going ok, but a tad slow at the moment. I've done all on the Y-axis except for the ballnut holder. And I'm nearly there on the X-axis as well.


I'm now looking at designing the ballnut holders. I'd like to know what I'm up against with regards to space limitations. In an earlier post you (Jump4s) mentioned grinding away material several places. I've extendend the Y-axis 30mm the same way as you did. Anything I shuld do on the X-axis as well?

I didn't find any drawings of the ballnut holders in the zip-files posted earlier.

Care to give me som hints on the way?


Cheers!
Bernie
 
hi Bernie
I'll go through all my pics and see if I can find some showing the ball nut mounts for you.
steve
 
Bernie, I could not find drawings for the Y and X ball nut blocks but there are 2 pics and more info on page 7 in the thread. the only parts I made drawings of were the ones I was going to cnc, these blocks were made in the lathe.
steve
 
The shopping went better than expected. I just ordered a 12Z Manual Mill from Charter Oak Automation.
I should have it by the end of next week. Added bonus! I think it has enough table travel to machine a weldment column for the zx45 base I have.
I intend to use 850 oz servos with gecko drives. That 4200 oz stepper motor is expensive!

ronthomp said:
Thanks!
I forgot to mention I also have an Enco 9x20 lathe that is a good candidate for cnc (no gearbox).
Grizzly said they are "expecting" a delivery at the end of the month, but no firm date. I canceled and am shopping again. I may revisit the homebrew column. I got the bright idea of using used cast iron from car engines and such. A couple of linear slides would look good on there.
I have a 3 hp 3ph motor and a vfd, so that would be a leg up. I'd really like a 30 taper or 40 taper spindle to ease the tool changer project I'm sure is in the future.

If anyone has a column, please let me know.
Click to expand...
 
the charter oak looks nice.
are you going to use hiwin type guides on the weldment column or a dovetail?
steve
 
That column project will be down the road, after the cnc conversion of this mill. I bought 20mm fully supported linear rails (sbr20) and matching (sbr20uu) bearing blocks from ebay. Similar to these: <http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Set-20-MM-FULLY-SUPPORTED-SBR20-630mm-LINEAR-RAIL-SHAFT-ROD-with-4-SBR20UU-/261396975916?pt=BI_Heavy_Equipment_Parts&hash=item3cdc79512c>


jumps4 said:
the charter oak looks nice.
are you going to use hiwin type guides on the weldment column or a dovetail?
steve
Click to expand...
 
I had a pm request for the motor nameplate pic
steve

DSCF1073.JPG
 
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