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8 x 14 Mini Lathe Conversion to CNC

@slow-poke On the internal extrusion, I prefer using angle blocks so it can be positioned the extrusion where you need it. To attach components to the 2020 extrusion, you use M3, M4, M5, M6 T-nuts, also called "roll-in nuts".

Screenshot 2025-12-19 at 7.23.45 AM.png

Screenshot 2025-12-19 at 7.28.59 AM.png
 
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Printfarm said:
Maybe the link works for me because I'm signed in to my account.
Click to expand...

I think Temu has a messed up internal link system. I've never successfully linked anything on Temu. The best I've ever been able to do is to provide good search terms - either the ones I used myself or one based on the words found in that particular products description.
 
To control the servo spindle motor from LinuxCNC, the 0-10V needs to be wired to the DA+ - Pin#26 and the DA- Pin #11, but there were no wires connected to those pins. I soldered a wire to those pins of the 44-pin parallel connector of the driver. Wired and installed the E-box LEDs.

Screenshot 2025-12-20 at 9.55.44 AM.png

IMG_3548.JPG

Installed servo motor, encoder, 5V-24V and 0-10V cables in the electronic box.

IMG_3549.JPG

Next, I'll wire the steppers, stepper drivers, proximity sensors, Pi 5 5V power and the 5-axis board to test software and hardware (steppers and servo motor) before installing it inside the lathe.
 
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Have you used that HLTNC servo drives in the past?

Is the tuning software "friendly"?

Cost for the motor and drive?

I'm a Yaskawa fan boy at this point, but need to keep an open mind.
 
slow-poke said:
Have you used that HLTNC servo drives in the past?

Is the tuning software "friendly"?

Cost for the motor and drive?

I'm a Yaskawa fan boy at this point, but need to keep an open mind.
Click to expand...
First time using the HLTNC, but have a friend in the UK who has in the past. Cost was 211.00 CND on Black Friday sale. Tuning seems pretty good but like most Chinese manual some things are vague. Larry at HLTNC is very helpful and responds well to emails.

Looked up Yaskama Canada and they're just a 1-hour drive away from me in Quebec.
 
Printfarm said:
First time using the HLTNC, but have a friend in the UK who has in the past. Cost was 211.00 CND on Black Friday sale. Tuning seems pretty good but like most Chinese manual some things are vague. Larry at HLTNC is very helpful and responds well to emails.

Looked up Yaskama Canada and they're just a 1-hour drive away from me in Quebec.
Click to expand...

Your drive looks suspiciously similar to a Yaskawa SGDV style drive. Same connector placement etc. Makes me wonder if they copied a good thing?

I'm pretty critical when it comes to evaluating products/ devices and I'm really impressed with Yaskawa. Similar to the old HP equipment; well documented and underrated.

Yesterday I was doing some testing and tried holding back the carriage with just my hands no way, try that with a stepper.
 
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For these little machines, is converting the leadscrew on the cross slide to ballscrew necessary for a CNC conversion?

I have plans for my little machine someday but it seems kind of a big lift sometimes to contemplate.
 
I couldn't get the 5-axis board to work properly with the Byte Bot Hat. Decide to use the Expatria Flexi0hal board. Got the Expatria Flexi-Hal board flashed with LinuxCNC, configured for Axis Lathe. In the test setup, Pi5, the proximity sensor and stepper are functional. Next is connecting and spinning the 1KW spindle motor.

IMG_3615.JPG

 
Printfarm said:
Japanese products are usually pretty solid, buy! What models are you running?
Click to expand...

I now have two lathes using Yaskawa servos.

I'm using:

SGMJV-04ADA21 motors (400W. 1.27Nm). They seem to outperform their ratings, plenty of torque even when going really fast.
SGDV2R8A01A drives.

The tuning software is super friendly. The documentation is 100%

For the first lathe I converted, I initially had steppers and then a forum member gifted me some old surplus Yaskawa drives so I replaced the steppers. Night and day difference, so much so that second time around I just starting searching on eBay for the same Yaskawa motors and drives because I'm so impressed with them.

For my mill I'm using StepperOnline ac servos and they are working great (can easily lift the knee at > 100IPM). The tuning software and support however are quite poor.

I think once you have had a taste of servo performance, you never want to use a stepper again.

Tons of Yaskawa servos and drives on eBay, surplus typically about $100, new not much more. IMHO, the differential price to upgrade from steppers is well worth it for the performance.
 
slow-poke said:
I now have two lathes using Yaskawa servos.

I'm using:

SGMJV-04ADA21 motors (400W. 1.27Nm). They seem to outperform their ratings, plenty of torque even when going really fast.
SGDV2R8A01A drives.

The tuning software is super friendly. The documentation is 100%

For the first lathe I converted, I initially had steppers and then a forum member gifted me some old surplus Yaskawa drives so I replaced the steppers. Night and day difference, so much so that second time around I just starting searching on eBay for the same Yaskawa motors and drives because I'm so impressed with them.

For my mill I'm using StepperOnline ac servos and they are working great (can easily lift the knee at > 100IPM). The tuning software and support however are quite poor.

I think once you have had a taste of servo performance, you never want to use a stepper again.

Tons of Yaskawa servos and drives on eBay, surplus typically about $100, new not much more. IMHO, the differential price to upgrade from steppers is well worth it for the performance.
Click to expand...
Although a bit more expensive especially with shipping but Donald at:

Hangzhou Bergerda Automation technology co., LTD
www.bergerda.com
[email protected]

is super helpful. One time I was having some issues. His engineers sent me a cell phone video of exactly what to do.
 
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