[JH-Q]

Hello, i have began building my own little cnc lathe about few months ago. This far i have made few parts for the tool changer and gathered some hardware from ebay. When finished, this lathe will have the following specs (which may change)

Movements (X+Z): 100mm (200mm dia) and 300-400mm
Spindle motor: 2½hp 130VDC (probably)
Feed motors: 2.2Nm with suitable belt drive.
Tool turret: electro-pneumatic fully automatic 8-station.
Coolant: 10l/min USA made diaphragm pump with 10l tank
Weight: 150-250kg (cast iron frame)

3D-rendering of the lathe (to be changed to different)


Pile of parts for toolchanger.


Main shaft for toolchanger.


Z-axis rails. THK HSR 25 and 640mm long.


Tool holder.




Spring holders for toolchanger.


Coolant stuff.


Stepper motors for X+Z axis and toolchanger.


Aluminium plate for toolchanger frame. The block in the right is an exercise done at school with a VMC.

[GaryCorlew]

This is awsome, I will be watching this thread!!

[txcowdog]

The 3D rendering is excellent. I love the concept as presented.

[JH-Q]

Just one more thing to add, i fount the plans for the tool changer at a german website where they are avaitable for download: http://www.cnc-projects.de/

[ZipSnipe]

Just one more thing to add, i fount the plans for the tool changer at a german website where they are avaitable for download: http://www.cnc-projects.de/

JH-Q that is a great find . I wish I could speak german, awesome machines that guy built!!!

[JH-Q]

I can't remember why i put end bearing on X axis ballscrew... maybe because the driven end bearing is attached on the carriage with just two M5 screws. If the assembly binds too much, i might remove the end bearing.

This time with lots of pictures as requested...















































Obviously, my slitting saw holder wasn't running true so it grabbed...





So i hacksawed it half, and cleaned with face mill.





























I fount these tool holders from school, being thrown away. They are too big for my small manual lathe, and this cnc project already has a turret. So i will save them for later on if i buy bigger lathe, or if i don't, i could sell them



I have been thinking about getting this universal milling machine.. might get it for 500€ including shaper attachment!

[Switcher]

JH-Q,

Looks like a great plan!

What did you do that 3-D model with (software)?

The more pics, the better!




.

[Switcher]

Thanks for that link, I had that on my old PC, but lost it !


.

[JH-Q]

I do my 3D designing with solidworks 2005, which is really excellent engineering program.

[JH-Q]

Here is the new design, it is quite a bit smaller and much easier to build.



Here you can see the stiffeners in the bottom of the lathe frame. The frame will be made of 20mm (3/4") steel welded together and then machined.

[snowshovelbmx]

looks to be an excellent design, very good drawing. I do see however that you lose the tailstock, which will not be a problem with small parts obviously but judging by your drawings and design Im sure you have every idea about lathes and the design you need I just wanted to say get to work! I want to see how this goes!!! I'm interested in a lathe build after I complete my mill. hahaha thanks for the thread!
chris.

[Trapper14]

Very impressive renderings, the first one seems more akin to the industrial lathes, but understandably; isn't as practical as your second approach, which I applaud. I will be following this post very closely. I began modeling that tool changer in Solidworks 05, but noticed there were some dimensions missing. Did you run into this problem, or did you supplement the missing dimensions with your own? Keep up the nice work!

Sean

[lerman]

you might consider using gang tooling instead of a tool turret. Google "omniturn" for an example of this type of system.

I'm considering adding an attachment to my small lathe to accomplish that.

Also, I suggest that you consider how you are going to protect the guides from chips.

Ken

[JH-Q]

I began consireding of gang tooling after i had made quite a lot parts for the toolchanger and bought "short" X-axis ballscrew with 120mm of travel. So i will build this with the revolver-type toolchanger. If it is not the best tooling system, at least it is good for lots of learning. As for the way covers i am thinking of stainless sheet metal covers with some kind of wipers as in industrial machines.

[Switcher]

What size steppers ( http://www.loisteputki.liitin.net/TLP/askelmosat.jpg ), & any links for them?


.

[JH-Q]

220Ncm http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/en-gb/dept_144.html

[JH-Q]

Test fitting of X-axis stepper motor and ballscrew.

[JH-Q]

Much progress on this project. I cut the steel for frame and machined one of the big steel plates with VMC @ school. It took a little under two workdays and there was around 3kg (6.6lbs) of chips removed. I also bought X-axis linear rails which are "THK HSR20", 400mm long and i will shorten them to 340mm. Next major step will be cut rest of the steel for frame. weld them and then maybe the most important phase of the build, which is machining the lathe bed. The square tubing in the last pic is just for supporting stuff during test-fit, actually they will be part of the table under the lathe.

[arie kabaalstra]

Looks good!!

From where i can see, the milling machine you used was set up properly, it's a nice smooth surface..

i think you'll be able to machine within 0.05 mm over the entire distance..

this machine is going to work out well..

[Willyb]

Hi JH-Q

Great job on your CNC Lathe build. Really like your Design. I have a couple of questions if you don't mined.

(1) What size of Chuck are you planning to use?

(2) What size Spindle Motor are you planning to use?

(3) If you had used Gang Tooling, what would your X Axis Travel have been?

(4) Did you ever entertain the idea of building your Lathe with a Vertical Bed for better swarf handling?


General question.
(1) What are the disadvantages of a Lathe with a Vertical Bed?


Thanks for your help with my questions and good luck with the rest of your build.

Best regards
Willy