Hood Cant thank you enough
That's just a wealth of knowledge, Your on money when you say its money driven, I just did some searches then and AC servos are not cheap by any means of the word.
A good lesson is be learnt here not to just jump in with two feet, I have put on some bids on bits and pieces and if won I am committed, so I will be heading down the the VFD Induction motor road. but I always have a whopping great wood lathe here that's crying out for something special as well. I will keep my eyes open like you for a bargain in the servo world, I see its a much better option.
Do you run the servo through a VFD or just straight 3 phase?
Katoh