Hi,

I'm looking to do a 14" x 40" CNC lathe conversion.

Plan on using Mach 4 software.

The X axis:
5/8" ball screw with a double nut
4.8Nm closed loop stepper motor

The Z axis:
3/4" ball screw with a double nut
9Nm closed loop stepper motor

There will be a Spindle encoder

Which BoB, Controller, encoder boards, etc would be appropriate?

Thanks for any help

Smokey

I haven't used personally but I have researched for my project and I'd take a look at the HICON boards especially if you are going closed loop. I've used the ESS board with MACH4 and it and the BoB's so far work without much issue and they configure easily. The ESS does not do closed loop (at least not that I'm aware of).

My application is a three axis mill and I've had concerns about going open loop across 8~10 machines for a client. I've been researching using the HICON for some initial testing and possibly for the next machine.

I use the HiCON for everything now.  We have 8-10 in the shop, I don't remember.
I don't use the closed loop features of the HiCON, I just let the servo drives do the closed loop stuff for me.
The HiCON has 3 encoder inputs (1 of which is for an MPG but you can use it if you need it.)  We have these on mills and lathes alike. 
It has 8 output and 16 input plus 3 relay outputs for spindle control and 0-10V spindle control on the board so you don't need an extra board or relays for spindle control.
If you need any additional I/O you can get the breakout boards that they offer for the two additional ports that are on the board; however, we use the Click PLC from automation direct for our additional I/O and communicate with Mach4 over TCP Modbus; it is incredibly robust and easy to set up.

Thanks for the replies.

I'll look into HiCON, since this is all new to me.

PS - Have a BYRD Tool Shelix on my 8" jointer and it works great

I should have mentioned that this is for a hobby machine.

The price of the HiCon is more than I want to spend.

Was thinking more of the lines of the PMDX424 or the ESS smooth stepper.

Thanks

I hate to say this but you get what you pay for sometimes.
If you want true encoder feedback you will need to pay for it.
I dont know about the PMDX but I do know the ESS does not have encoder feedback.
I use the ESS and a PMDX126.
All open loop stepper motors.
If they are tuned correctly they will not loose position.
If the motors are a closed loop to the drive then you do not need a controller that closes the loop.

I hate to say this but you get what you pay for sometimes.
If you want true encoder feedback you will need to pay for it.
I dont know about the PMDX but I do know the ESS does not have encoder feedback.
I use the ESS and a PMDX126.
All open loop stepper motors.
If they are tuned correctly they will not loose position.
If the motors are a closed loop to the drive then you do not need a controller that closes the loop.

Here is the closed loop steppers and drive I have from StepperOnline:

Closed Loop Stepper Motor + Driver Kit included:

    1 x  Closed Loop Stepper Driver 0-8.2A 24-80VDC for Nema 34 Stepper Motor CL86T V4.1
    1 x Nema 34 Closed Loop Stepper Motor 12.0Nm(1699.68oz.in) Encoder 1000CPR
    1 x 1.7m Long Encoder Extension Cable for Closed Loop Stepper Driver
    1 x RV-4 AWG18 1.7m Long Motor Extension Cable with GX16 Aviation Plug
    1 x RS232 Debugging Cable

Not sure if this would satisfy the "closed loop to the drive"

Thanks for the reply

It looks like they are closed at the drive.
You should be able to use any controller you want.

It looks like they are closed at the drive.
You should be able to use any controller you want.

Perfect - Thanks

That's awesome!  Crazy to hear you have a Shliex on a forum like this lol.