Re: re:Lathe Rack & pinion.(cnc lathe)

Chris,

This subject is related to all that manual vs. CNC thread...

A CNC lathe is a very simple machine. Much less complicated than a
manual lathe! Does your "customer" require you to keep all
the "manual" stuff? Or does he/she want a CNC lathe?(with manual
features) BIG difference in time to retro-fit!

The leadscrews are replaced by 2 ballscrews, which take over ALL
movement requirements for the axis (X and Z). The L/S "gearchange" is
dispensed with, as well as the rack/pinion drive. In commercial CNC
lathes, an "encoder" handwheel is used (manual turning by "wire").
Sometimes only one wheel, sometimes two. The rest was pretty
thoroughly covered in the above-mentioned thread.

IMO, You will spend much more in time to "keep everything as it is,
Just add a little CNC please" than to just CNC the lathe!

Hope this helps.

Ballendo

P.S. I have a love for old tools, so if its a "nice one", I'd re-
think the whole thing! And just leave it manual :-)

P.S.S. If you have room you "could" clamp or thread a timing belt
pulley on the far end of the existing L/S. You said the L/S appeared
cast-in-place? Not likely, IMO, but if so you could make/use
a "split" timing belt pulley, and just drive the existing L/S. You
said it was a tight fit with the half-nuts :-) Disengage the pinion
and gearchange, and go!