[hoss2006]

Sounds very feasible to me. Not sure if you plan to have it be a "floating" type like my PDB 2 but that's the way I'd go so no pressure is applied to the spindle bearings that doesn't need to.
Hoss

[Ali Kat]

Hi Hoss,

Thanks for the vote of confidence. Yes, I intend to follow your principle of a floating design - in fact it will be almost exactly the same with a the multi stack air cylinder replaced with a single sided brake calliper on a suitable adaption of the top plate.

To expand (excuse the pun) I intend to use a fairly long flexible brake hose to connect the calliper to a hard point on the back of the column. From here I will use cunifer brake tubing down to the clutch master cylinder. This part of the system can easily be bled in the same manner as you bleed the brakes on a car. The clutch cylinder will not be connected directly to the air cylinder but will be operated via a lever to allow full travel of the air cylinder for the reduced travel of the clutch cylinder and to increase the mechanical force at the same time. The estimated 1200 psi from the air cylinder could easily be doubled using this mechanical advantage. The 3/4" bore by 2" stroke of the clutch cylinder would be fed to the (approx.) 2" bore of the calliper to give about twice the force on the brake piston. In theory I can see this developing over 3000 psi without too much trouble.

When the air cylinder returns, this will pull the clutch rod out and, I hope, will suck the fluid back from the brake calliper so that the piston does not remain in contact with the top of the drawbar. I may need a light spring in the system to assist this. The only downside I see is the requirement for a larger volume of air for each tool change and the resultant operation of the compressor more often. Personally, I can live with this but others may not like a compressor cutting in and out all the time.

I get to go home to the UK next week as my project is now concluded so it will be time to get in the shop and start putting bits together. I can see me very busy in the coming weeks, especially as I've just scored the basis of my next CNC mill conversion ! This will be the last one (I hope) - I really can't see me needing anything bigger. It is a British built Adcock & Shipley 1ES horizontal miller that has had a lot of bits removed so I got it for a song. The plan is to convert to CNC with a vertical spindle mounted on a slide on the exiting overarm - this will be the Z axis - the knee screw will not function under CNC but may be motorised for ease of rise and fall. This mill will effectively become a ram head mill. I appreciate it is not exactly a bench top machine and I will have to move to another forum but I thought I'd just share my upcoming project.

Attachment 291532

[engnerdan]

Sorry wrong thread

[hoss2006]

Floating would not hurt the spindle, but it will make it very complicated and has to be able to stand up to very high forces. This style of spindle cartridge is designed to handle the load, the bearings are larger than the R8 spindles. I am using one of these BT30 spindle cartridges on my modified Novakon mill. So far I have been very pleased with the setup, the spindle is most likely the best made part on my entire mill.

Here is what I did to release the tool holders
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/novako...ml#post1529230

-Dan

Floating is not overly complicated, i've designed and built several and I don't see the point of putting any extra stress on the bearings that doesn't need to be applied. He is also wanting to retain quill usage which is one of the main reasons a floating system was utilized back on X3's when they were popular. 2500 lbs is a lot of force for a quill lock to resist but the lock has no issues with a floating design.
Hoss

[engnerdan]

Floating is not overly complicated, i've designed and built several and I don't see the point of putting any extra stress on the bearings that doesn't need to be applied. He is also wanting to retain quill usage which is one of the main reasons a floating system was utilized back on X3's when they were popular. 2500 lbs is a lot of force for a quill lock to resist but the lock has no issues with a floating design.
Hoss

You caught my post and stared a reply before I got it deleted. I goofed and thought I was in the BT30 Spindle thread. I am sorry for the confusion, I was not fully awake before I started posting this morning.

-Dan

[Ali Kat]

Hi Hoss, (and other folks),

Just got finished reading this entire thread ! Wow, that was some barrel full of information to take in. I'm shortly going back to my beloved workshop in the UK and I really don't know which mod to start with. I've got lots of the bits and pieces to do many of the mods - I just don't know which will be first.

There is one thing that has been raised though that I was hoping might have more exposure. Hoss, you mention you have a lot of the parts for a laser cutter. Will this be mounted on the mill and, if so, will it be directly on the head or would you be using mirrors? A while back I acquired a 60w CO2 laser cutter that had suffered fire damage - it's an Epilog 36EXT. Luckily all of the laser bits are good including the power supplies etc. The control panel got fries along with two of the slide ways. I've stripped the machine and have been collecting slides etc to make a new X, Y frame but you've got me thinking about using the mill.

Will you be doing anything on this project in the near future? I noticed a couple of other members seemed to be interested in your laser project.

Tonight I will let my weary eyes take a break from the laptop screen and look forward to reading again in a day or so.

Cheers

Ali

[hoss2006]

The laser is still high up on my todo list, not for practicality just because it would be cool.
Plan was to mount it in an aluminum box tube on the side of the head.
Pretty sure i have all the components gathered in a box somewhere.
The nice quad riding weather has put a lot of things on hold lol.
Hoss

[Ali Kat]

The laser is still high up on my todo list, not for practicality just because it would be cool.
Plan was to mount it in an aluminum box tube on the side of the head.
Pretty sure i have all the components gathered in a box somewhere.
The nice quad riding weather has put a lot of things on hold lol.
Hoss

Yep, you deserve some riding time and enjoying the great outdoors - you spend far too much time helping us out with our problems. But as soon as you've had enough fresh air and sunshine I'll be waiting patiently for updates on the Laser System!

Just been watching another chap from the US describing a simple way to use the Z axis cmmands to control the laser on/off. Quite neat really.

Take care

Ali

[cut2cut]

What is the "work envelope" after installing ball screws on the G0704. Specifically X and Y travel.

Jake

[hoss2006]

What is the "work envelope" after installing ball screws on the G0704. Specifically X and Y travel.

Jake

With my plans about X18.5x Y7 stock or up to Y9.5 with the Extended Y. You can get extended Z travel too.
Hoss

[skyguynca]

Hey Hoss, long time since I have had the time to catch up on your adventures. I was hoping you could have the time and patience to answer a few questions.

How is it going with Mach4? Troubles, work around's and short comings?

Are you able to use the ATC in Mach 4? If so are they different macros?

I have done all your conversions to my G0704 from your CD and drawings, thanks and it works great.

David
San Jose, CA

[Fastest1]

That is a lot of riding. Hope everything is ok.

[lcvette]

You ok Hoss?

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[Fastest1]

I sure hope he is just creating the next evolution of something impressive!


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[skyguynca]

Hoss replied to a email I sent him, well actually a couple of them. I don't think he is checking on the forum is all.

[gadgets]

Hoss is probably pissed and ignoring this thread because of the smart ass comments by phomann. That is a shame because Hoss has been so helpful to so many on this site. I have been a machinist for 51 years and still learn new tricks from Hoss.

[Fastest1]

Well I missed the disagreement. Hopefully that isnt the reason. We all like Hoss' creativity and new ideas.

I have also had good information (and a product) from Peter. Not taking sides. We all get upset with this forum at times.

I just went back a few pages, I see what you are referring to. However that was July. He had responded a few times after that.

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[hoss2006]

Still alive and kickin.
Hadn't been getting notifications is all, not pissed about anything lol.
Been a busy summer with domestic stuff but she's gone if you know what i mean.
Back to work.
Hoss

[lcvette]

Glad to hear it!

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[Fastest1]

WooHoo relief! The she probably stopped any new projects.