PR96 cable-drive upgrade to rack and pinion

[bahed]

I am in the process of purchasing an older Shopbot and have been told/read several things about my vintage and I wanted to get more input to further confuse me. To wit:

1. "Cable-drive CNC's are not very accurate."
2. "Cable-drive CNC's that have been set up and are well maintained give as good of results as R&P drive tables."
3. "It's not worth the time and money to change over from cable to R&P."
4. "ShopBot used to offer that upgrade but we don't anymore."
5. "I upgraded to a R&P machine and it runs as accurate as any PRT."

Just mark it up to differences of opinion ? I would really like to be able to have a R&P system, or be assured that the system I am getting will do the job.

I have included 2 pictures of my system.

Thoughts ?



3247

3248

[aaasigncom]

I AM IN THE PROCESS OF GOING THROUGH AN OLDER SYSTEM. YOUR SYSTEM LOOKS SIMIALR TO MINE. MY RAILS HAVE BEEN UPGRADED. I HAVE REBUILT ALMOST EVERYTHING AND DID A PAINT JOB. ADDED LIGHTS AND LASERS TO GANTRY. I ALIGNED EVERYTHING USING A CROSS HAIR LASER. IT NOW LOOKS AND PERFORMS LIKE NEW. SINCE MOST OF THE PARTS ARE COMMON HARDWARE STUFF, GOING THROUGH THE MACHINE IS EASY. - GO FOR IT, YOU WILL LEARN ALLOT ABOUT YOUR MACHINE WHILE REBUILDING AND ALIGNING. --TONY ROGERS www.AAASIGN.com (http://www.AAASIGN.com) INDIANAPOLIS -- PS. GREAT SUPPORT and PEOPLE AT SHOPBOT !!!

[bahed]

I am SO GLAD to hear that !!

Could I contact you to see what rout you went ? I have begun the search on racks and pinions. I'd love to talk Shop(bot) with you if interested.

Or we could keep it here - although from the almost non-response to my question most people have seemingly moved beyond the cable-drive system many moons ago and have little interest !!

Bret

[gerald_d]

Tony has photos over here:
http://www.mechmate.com/Forum/messages/329/897.html