Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Machine design

Visit http://www.egroups.co.uk/group/DreamMachine

I've got a machine designed specifically for home builders that could
easily be built as a horizontal mill...as well as numerous other machines
and combos.

Smoke

>I'm wondering if anyone has any experience in producing machines,
>such as mills and lathes? I think it would be a lot of fun to produce
>my own machine from scratch (well, not entirely, but mostly).
>
>Right now, I'm thinking about some kind of small horizontal machining
>center. You don't see very many (any?) of these in a small package. I
>understand they're usually used for large production runs, but they
>would be good and affordable for smaller shops, or people who have a
>product, and need to manufacture some parts for it in their basement.
>
>I like the idea of a HMC because of their (potentially) smaller
>footprint with a bigger workspace, and the inherent advantages
>present with HMC's (chips not being cut twice, etc).
>
>Some ideas about the mill are as such: The mill would have an
>envelope of something like 12X12X8" or perhaps a bit larger. The
>machine would be more suited to aluminum and other soft metals,
>although it should be able to cut steels (very important). A custom
>spindle would be produced to accept some type of standard tool holder
>(like ISO-30 taper, or smaller). The system would include an auto
>tool changer, and auto pallet changer. I was thinking about custom
>box ways because they look so gosh darn easy to produce (milled,
>ground and lapped, or perhaps just ground steel flat stock?), yet
>very stable.
>
>The machine's super-structure would be based on steel square tube,
>probably concrete-filled for vibration dampening. Someone recently
>mentioned mounting everything on a granite surface plate, which can
>be had for, usually, $50 or so for a good sized one. I really like
>this idea.
>
>I'm playing with the idea of having the X and Y axes on the box ways,
>and just having the Z axis as a quill.
>
>Obviously, this would not be a dirt cheap machine. However, I would
>like to keep it simple and robust (like the Taig systems) - and very
>much capable doing work within its envelope.
>
>Does anyone have any comments on such an idea? Perhaps I'm just off
>in space right now, but it's certainly something to consider.
>
>Regards,
>
>Robin
>
>
>Welcome to CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@...,an unmoderated list for the

discussion of shop built systems, for CAD, CAM, EDM, and DRO.

>
>Addresses:
>Post message: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
>Subscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
>Unsubscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>List owner: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-owner@yahoogroups.com, wanliker@...
>Moderator: jmelson@... timg@... [Moderator]
>URL to this page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO
>bill,
>List Manager
>
>FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>