Hello,
I'm just a DIY'er, not a business or anything like that, so my (or that of would be employee(s)) life and/or livelihood doesn't depend on quick or even unquestionable opinions...just what's left of my hair and my sanity. I have 2 broken mills; the second just died last week. I bought the second in response to the first dying and was kicking around the idea of either selling it as a manual machine or converting it to mach 3 which I thought might take some time and considerable effort. I found a decent machine at a reasonable price and bought it. I used it a few times and winter comes, so my shop (garage) gets crunched down and in effect becomes all but unusable until late spring so I can park my truck inside. The “extra” mill didn’t help any. I use it a few more times and it dies to. The mills are in good shape but lack working/operational CNC. So... buying a CNC machine and having the controls die and thus considering selling it for a loss on eBay (or what not) as a manual milling machine would be a hit to say the least; but it wouldn't be the end of the world. Two machines however, are unacceptable. So, at the very least: the time to learn, mistakes, headaches, etc. are now divided by two machines. What little research I've done points me to Mach 3. The servos work and would like to reuse them if possible/practical. I already have a computer to use. I'm currently heehawing between the Galil 41x3 and the DSPMC for the motion control card. I haven’t completely ruled out others and am very open to suggestions. I believe that a working CNC machine far out values a non-operational and thus manual machine, so much that if done correctly would be cost beneficial. The “extra” machine in my shop would sell faster and for more. I don’t think I would make much if any but that by far out ways losing money on it. As far as the one I keep for myself, it would just be the better. I’m not against saving money but if I’m going to do it I want to do it right, within reason of course. If the servos need to be replaced then they will. But for simplicity and cost I would prefer to use them. This last winter I’ve been a regular “guest” here and as such have seen some really good advice offered. So here I am looking for some advice as well. The first fork in the road is controller with the servos being the major factor. The servos in question are Anilam model 37000117 DC servos. Torque 31.25 in. lbs., Max volt: 200, Peak amp: 30.8, Cur.A.: 6.18, Res. Ohms: 1.5, Ind.min.: 6.8, SEMF-V/1000rpms: 60.0, Nax rpm: 2400, Tach-V/1000rpm: 9.56, JA-LB-in-sec2: 0.000063. Ant advice would be greatly appreciated. If I use the existing servos, which motion control board do I choose? If I go with different servos then which MC do I choose? What amp is best? I want to use servos and control them via Ethernet. Thank you in advance!