Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Maximat / FB-2 conversion

In a message dated 03/10/2001 12:32:29 PM Hawaiian Standard Time,
gordonr@... writes:

<< Just checked your pics...looks like it definitely took some work to change
over the mill column!
I see you have a 6 speed mill head. I'm limited to four. I'll have to look
around and see if I can get a replacement variable speed motors for the
lathe and mill. This would certainly provide better options for machining.

I've gotten all but one of the casting patterns made already for this
conversion. As soon as I can find a supplier that will anser my email so I
can find out the price and order some RTV for making molds, I'll be able to
make some more progress. Until then, I guess I'll need to check around for
prices, etc for the various lead screws, bearings and other components for
all these projects I'm working on.

Smoke >>


Smoke,

I have a four speed also. These are noisy little guys. The gears rattling
drive me up the wall. I think if the "EMCO" logo / gear box cover is replaced
with a solid steel plate, the noise level would go down. I ran heavier
gearbox oil for a while but the head gets too hot to touch after one of those
9 or 10 hours CNC jobs...

I did the conversion 'cause I had the machine but I am putting all my
efforts into a RF-45 and my series 1 Kondia. The FB-2 has too many short
comings. I really want to put better ballscrews into it but the Y axis
travel, at 5.5" is too short. Seems like a waste to put so much money into
high dollar parts when the end result is limited.

Seems a VFD driven 3 phase motor would be the cat's meow. However, if I
am correct, the motor output shaft has the pinion machined integral. You
gotta do some serious adapting to get any other motor to go. I don't know if
EMCO ever offered a 3 phase motor. I'm pretty sure they had a 220 volt single
phase unit for use in Europe. The current motor is a run capacitor equiped
unit. I wonder if they have a VFD designed for these types of motors?

Am real interested in seeing photos of your completed machine.

Peter
THRD, Inc.