Quote Originally Posted by tonyfoale View Post
I only make one-stuff also but as the movements are simple on a surface grinder a CNC drive for the table is the easiest for me. Just back and forth a set distance at a set speed and and set step overs each stroke. The down feed on the wheel will be manual.

I am currently undecided on the longitudinal feed method. I did get a 20 mm pitch ball screw to drive it and I mocked up a wooden test table to see if a reasonable size stepper motor could drive it with enough acceleration. That worked perfectly but I am still debating whether to use a belt like yours or a wire in place of a belt. I have some experience with wire drives so it would not be a big learning experience.

CNC was the obvious choice for the cam grinding machine, that will save a lot of mechanical construction. With ball screws the accuracy should be good which is essential. Only the infeed axis will be CNC though, moving between adjacent cam lobes will be manual.
As I'm no good with electronics I left the connection of steppers, drivers and panel to my electrical engineer nephew. I prefer toggle & push-button switches and rotating potentiometer knobs to a touch screen for this application, as I can eyeball the speed I want while making the adjustment.
I used steppers for their compactness and torque rather than for exact positioning, as I always intended on using DRO.

The CNC for cam profiling is a great idea as you can easily change the profiles or size. Way beyond my skill set, as I usually make expensive smoke with electronics.