3 Axis CNC Conversion for
Square Column Mills  Version 2.0

Convert your square column mill to CNC with the 3 Axis CNC Kit from Industrial Hobbies.

Specifications 

What does the kit include?

This package includes all necessary machine side parts to completely retrofit a square column mill (we recommend ours) to 3 axis CNC. 

Kit Includes:

• Powerful 410 in-oz Servos for the X/Y Axis
• Powerful 648 in-oz Servo for the Z Axis
• Rockford Precision Rolled Ballscrews with Machined Ends
• Preloaded Ballnuts with Wipers
• Ballscrew Mounted Encoders for Long Term Accuracy
• Shielded Motor and Encoder to Protect Against Coolant and Chips
• Complete Mounting Hardware
• 3 Gecko 320 Servo Drivers
• 3 Hi-Res Encoders
• Powerful 780 Watt Power Supply
• Set of 3 Optical Limits

To get everything up and running you will need a PC, controller software (MACH 2) and about $100 in extra electrical components.  From there the sky is the limit, you can provide as many bells and whistles as you like. 

Pricing

3 Axis CNC Conversion for Square Column Mills  Version 2.0   $4250

Options

Z Axis Ballnut

The kit is available with a choice of ballnuts for the Z Axis.  (No additional charge)

Single Circuit Preloaded - This is the same nut we use on the X and Y axis and gives good performance.  But we found under some machining conditions machining force will exceed the preload and will give machining errors. 

Double Circuit w/ Minimum Backlash - This is the nut we recommend and designed to take the increased machining forces that are found when using larger cutters.  The backlash is approximately 0.002, but since there is no spring (like a standard preload) it will not change under extreme machining conditions.

Power Supply Upgrades

The standard included power supply is 65V @ 12A Unregulated DC it will run the entire machine with great performance, but we give you the option to upgrade depending on your needs.

Power Supply Upgrade 1    65V @ 12A and 24V @ 2A    Add $100

This is a dual tap power supply and gives the additional availability of 24 volts at 2 amps to power heat sink/case fans and other industrial controls.  This is the one we use when doing a turn key package and simply adds the ease of a single power supply. 

Power Supply Upgrade 2    65V @ 20A Unregulated DC     Add $100

This is the largest single power supply we carry and is very large.  It gives the availability of 8 additional amps at 65 volts to power accessories such as rotary tables or other future axes.

Ordering

Our CNC conversion kits are not in the online store, so to order a kit you must give us a call or send us an email.  We require this to ensure that all questions are answered and you have a good idea of what's entailed in doing the conversion.

We Had to throw a close up of the X/Y Axis motor in the page,  it really is pretty cool.

The heat sink took over 100 hours to design and figure out how to produce.  When installed the front of the heat sink recesses into the outside bracket and is RTV'ed into place to form a water proof seal.  When completely assembles it can be pressure washed with no ill effects.  The additional heat dissipation factor of the heat sink increases the continuous duty rating of the motor quite a bit, and although we don't use the higher rating for our specs it's nice to know it's there.