Here is an update for this curious about my foray into CNC world. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Hoqzgcxki4JAntBu1
Here is my latest batch of photos. I noticed that the drivers were integrated into the last control board. Anyone have a proposed stepper solution? I’m open to most nething with this project. I also found a renshaw rc1 probe. Anyone know if smoothie works with CNC probes?
The rails look really nice, supported rods and super well ground for this optical manufacturing device. Those alone might make this thing worth the effort if they are accurate enough to make good optical lenses.
bt that stepper label, 3a 2.1v? can anyone explain that stepper to me?
Hehe thanks for the observation. I’m not sure on the steppers as well.
Found a very very limited spec sheet
Are you questioning the voltage, because it is the norm in CNC to run them at anything up to 20 times that, just keep the current under 3A! What struck me as fun was the seemingly different sized pulleys on the motor and screw, calculating steps/mm is going to be a right laugh!
Yea I was questioning the steppers, but more in terms of I’m not sure which board to get to drive them.
Any board that breaks out the step and direction signals. 3A rules out most of the cheesy on-board or on-carrier stepper drivers, so you are looking at a proper stepper driver, and at this point it is purely down to what your wallet can take. A guy on youtube did an old Stratasys with smoothieboard and gekkodrive drivers, but that is not cheap… personally, I’d be looking east and to ebay. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1S_xJdJ0bo&t=5s for inspiration!
Hahaha yea I been watching his videos with a keen eye .
@bob_smith1 thanks for the tips.