EMCO Conversion
Posted by
Gordon Robertson
on 2001-03-26 12:11:33 UTC
In case anyone (with the bucks) is interested:
I just got the latest catalog from Blue Ridge Machinery. They've got
a Maximat Super 11 machine complete with vertical mill attachment on
sale for $5900. This is an extremely good price since they list the
same machine sans the mill column for $8995.
The conversion is pretty simple mechanically. Since the power drive
to the saddle can be disconnected by simply moving a lever, the
saddle can be driven thru a ball screw mounted in the rear. This
requires two mounting braackets bolted to the lathe bed and one
bolted to the saddle. Return to manual operation is simply a matter
of removing two ball screw mounting bracket bolts.
The Z drive screw change will require removing the existing screw,
replacing the top column bracket and bolting another bracket to the
column slide casting. This part would be a good alteration even if
all you wanted was power feed and/or DRO for the mill head.
The Y screw requires replacing the standard bracket and screw
assembly. It also eliminates the standard power cross feed and
threading operations. Converting back to the manual machine is a bit
more work, due to changing the complet assembly. An advantage is
gained here in that the crossfeed can be increased.
It MAY be possible (I haven't looked into this)to simply replace the
cross feed handwheel with a belt driven motor rather than using
direct drive as I've got planned for all the drive motors. In this
case a custom anti-backlash nut will be required and the crossfeed
will be reduced.
I've got a similar size machine (V10-P) I've had for years which I'm
going to convert to CNC. If anyone needs castings and instructions
for the mechanical conversion I can be of help. I've got patterns
already made for the castings. These should work on both machines.
Smoke
I just got the latest catalog from Blue Ridge Machinery. They've got
a Maximat Super 11 machine complete with vertical mill attachment on
sale for $5900. This is an extremely good price since they list the
same machine sans the mill column for $8995.
The conversion is pretty simple mechanically. Since the power drive
to the saddle can be disconnected by simply moving a lever, the
saddle can be driven thru a ball screw mounted in the rear. This
requires two mounting braackets bolted to the lathe bed and one
bolted to the saddle. Return to manual operation is simply a matter
of removing two ball screw mounting bracket bolts.
The Z drive screw change will require removing the existing screw,
replacing the top column bracket and bolting another bracket to the
column slide casting. This part would be a good alteration even if
all you wanted was power feed and/or DRO for the mill head.
The Y screw requires replacing the standard bracket and screw
assembly. It also eliminates the standard power cross feed and
threading operations. Converting back to the manual machine is a bit
more work, due to changing the complet assembly. An advantage is
gained here in that the crossfeed can be increased.
It MAY be possible (I haven't looked into this)to simply replace the
cross feed handwheel with a belt driven motor rather than using
direct drive as I've got planned for all the drive motors. In this
case a custom anti-backlash nut will be required and the crossfeed
will be reduced.
I've got a similar size machine (V10-P) I've had for years which I'm
going to convert to CNC. If anyone needs castings and instructions
for the mechanical conversion I can be of help. I've got patterns
already made for the castings. These should work on both machines.
Smoke