Is there any interest in a discussion about using timing belt reducers on earlier generation 'bots with 1:1 (non-geared) steppers for the purpose of improving resolution/smoothness?
I recently acquired a 2005 Alpha that is turning out to be in better shape than I thought and am wondering about investing in belt drives as a cost-effective way to upgrade. I know that it's a very popular approach for metal working mills and lathes because of cost as well as elimination of the backlash issue. It seems likely I could have a set of four of these using quality bearings, belts, gears and housing materials and made to tight tolerances for under $1000 perhaps a little more if the Z axis proves more complicated.
I've found a couple of discussions in the archives but have not come across much from anyone currently using these. The only issues that came to light seemed to be tied to too-loose tolerances when, at the prototype stage, precision machine tools were not used or available to build them.