Lathe conversion from stock to CNC

I have read somewhere that one can get higher accuracy for threading with dual encoders and, of cource a 1 PPR homing pulse. I would run one disc, with 2 sensors, perhaps LEDs to make sure they are out of phase.
I have to admit the cost is looking a bit daunting! If I read the specs correctly, the Pico can drive 4 motors (with amps), take 4 encoders for the steppers 16 inputs and 8 outputs? Can I use some digital inputs for the spindle encoder, or is it better to use 2 axis encoder inputs?
I am happy to have various cards, or one card, depending on flexibility and cost.
Regards
Peet

Hi,
Thanks for the replies. I have now got a pulley for my motor and I have today bought a belt that actually fits the new setup. I need to gte down to programming my VFD to actually give me some torque where I need it, as I currently not start my lathe in its highest gearing.

Andy, you are tempting me sorely with your findings. I am especially looking at the second finding you posted, as it has stronger motors than the first and is still cheaper than what I think I can buy the various parts for. I cannot tell whether it includes a spindle encoder interface or not, I certainly do not think it would include motor encoder interfaces, but I am sure I can add those at a later stage if I want to maintain manual with DRO.
I take it you are quite sure I will get this setup running on Linux CNC?

Thanks and regards
Peet

I have now spent the day cleaning my entire moving assembly (temporarily gone blank for the term), every gear, thread... Now I finally have a very smooth working lathe, I cleaned the grease I had before put on the ways off, using only machine oil as a lubricant. I realise I have used grease on all the other slides, which I realise is probably not the best, which is why I was advised against it (belatedly) at projectsinmetal, where I first started posting about my lathe.
Now of course I cannot think of something to make!
Regards
Peet

Thanks John, I will see if I can get way oil. Sounds like I need to ask your advise on all the lubricants to use.

I would be interested in the oil cups, something practical to do! (LOL) Would then have helped if I was on CNC.

Ended up making this, though I still need to finish the ends.

Cheers for now.
Peet

I may have found a cheaper source of motors, waiting for their response. In the mean time I am considering wiring limit and home switches, so a few questions / thoughts on that.
Firstly having a home and origin points are confusing me a bit, is the home switch the home position and the origin a virtual point where the tool will start / end?
Would I be heading in the right direction if I am thinking of a home / origin where the Z axis would be backed out (Max soft + limit), the X axis at about the point where the tool holder about aligns with the jaws? My thinking is that would put the tool closest to a probable starting point, clearing max diameter for easier work on chuck / with tailstock.
Can one have a switch on the tailstock, as the carriage has limited movement if the tailstock is close, especially if the work piece is quite short?
I am thinking of fitting switches / sensors so long, maybe get the PC mounted... whilst I prep to get motors and drives.
I may try to source a diagram of a breakout one can build, maybe a PIC interface. My one PIC demo board has a quite capable PIC, with USB interface (I think)
Thanks
Peet

Any comments on motors? I am thinking of getting a www.interinar.com/public_docs/23KM-K723-23V.pdf for the X axis and www.interinar.com/public_docs/23KM-K102-P1V.pdf for Z, though I have not had to deal with motor / load / voltages before, so am a bit in the dark here. I suppose if the motor is too weak one gears it down? Just have a slower machine?

Also can one take something like a "gaming" joystick and assign the various buttons, hat switch... to various functions, or is a dedicated, switch based input better?

Thanks
Peet