Converting an 8 Inch Rotary Table to an "A" Axis

Many people have added a stepper motor to a rotary table in order to create a forth axis (often called the “A” axis). My contribution is to take an idea from Paul Thompson plus an old idea using sheet metal to simplify the motor mount.

If you are interested, please see

http://rick.sparber.org/AAD.pdf


Your comments are welcome. All of us are smarter than any one of us.

Rick,

I enjoyed reading your article and how you solved the stepper motor mounting. Hose clamps are one of my favorite tools and proof of concept aides. Also thank you for the reference to Alibre PE (now at 3D scanning, design and reverse engineering software from 3D Systems Geomagic ). I am going to look into their scan capture and 3D CAD conversion software.

Paul Jones

Great post as usual, Rick. I don't have CNC stuff, but that section on using sheetmetal as a coupler was very educational.

Thanks Rick! We've added your Rotary Table A Axis Conversion to our Machining category, as well as to your builder page: Rick's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/rotary-table-a-axis-conversion"><img src="http://www.homemadetools.net/uploads/138590/rotary-table-a-axis-conversion.png" /></a></div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/rotary-table-a-axis-conversion">Rotary Table A Axis Conversion</a> <span> by <a href="/builder/Rick+Sparber">Rick Sparber</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/tag/cnc">CNC</a>, <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/tag/conversion">conversion</a>, <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/tag/motor">motor</a>, <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/tag/rotary-table">rotary table</a></div> </div> </div> </div>

Hi Rick,

A useful repurposing of a rotary table for CNC and thoroughly explained as usual. Your Rotary Table A Axis Conversion is our 'Best Documented Build' for October, 2015!

You'll be receiving a $35 online gift card from GiftRocket.

Just send me your email address (via PM) and we'll get things processed directly.

Congrats!

Ken

Thanks once again Rick, motorizing my rotary table has been on my list.

Ralph