I am working on a design for a gantry mill (3'x4'x6"), and want it to work well for wood, aluminum and steel. Let's assume I have the base/gantry/Z stiff enough.
To do this mill I need a spindle that can go from about 400 to 15k RPM. I like the idea of R8, so I can use TTS tooling.
One of the possibilities is a LMS head with better bearings, and a 1.1kw motor + controller. That's why I'm posting in the LMS forum.
Summary: There are four things I have to figure out:
1. Can I fit good AC bearings in the LMS head?
2. Will the LMS head work for these speeds/power with good bearings?
3. I need a motor/controller.
4. I need a 2 or 3 step pulley setup.
I can get the housing ($66), R8 spindle ($60) and other misc. parts here:
Replacement Parts - LittleMachineShop.com
I should be able to get some 18k RPM angular contact bearings at some place like VXB. I am willing to spend >$200 on bearings.
I would need to to have a 2 or 3-step pulley system to allow this speed range, something like 3:1 for high speed (wood/aluminum), 1:1 or 1:2 for low (steel).
I haven't found the motor yet. I could go with the LMS HiTorque head with motor Mini Mill Head Assembly R8 Spindle HiTorque - LittleMachineShop.com, but I don't think 500 watts is enough.
I found this: Page Title, but it shows out of stock. There were real problems with the 1st generation controller.
I haven't had much luck sourcing 2-step or 3 step pulleys.
I have spent the last 2 weeks researching spindles. The other possibility is a Tormach R8 spindle. :drowning: I would still need to upgrade it's bearings and find a motor/controller/pulleys.
So, what do you think?
-Steve
To do this mill I need a spindle that can go from about 400 to 15k RPM. I like the idea of R8, so I can use TTS tooling.
One of the possibilities is a LMS head with better bearings, and a 1.1kw motor + controller. That's why I'm posting in the LMS forum.
Summary: There are four things I have to figure out:
1. Can I fit good AC bearings in the LMS head?
2. Will the LMS head work for these speeds/power with good bearings?
3. I need a motor/controller.
4. I need a 2 or 3 step pulley setup.
I can get the housing ($66), R8 spindle ($60) and other misc. parts here:
Replacement Parts - LittleMachineShop.com
I should be able to get some 18k RPM angular contact bearings at some place like VXB. I am willing to spend >$200 on bearings.
I would need to to have a 2 or 3-step pulley system to allow this speed range, something like 3:1 for high speed (wood/aluminum), 1:1 or 1:2 for low (steel).
I haven't found the motor yet. I could go with the LMS HiTorque head with motor Mini Mill Head Assembly R8 Spindle HiTorque - LittleMachineShop.com, but I don't think 500 watts is enough.
I found this: Page Title, but it shows out of stock. There were real problems with the 1st generation controller.
I haven't had much luck sourcing 2-step or 3 step pulleys.
I have spent the last 2 weeks researching spindles. The other possibility is a Tormach R8 spindle. :drowning: I would still need to upgrade it's bearings and find a motor/controller/pulleys.
So, what do you think?
-Steve