toolchange idea for small mills wasRe: To tool change, or not...

Nelson,

I saw a photo some years back of a machine which used this concept.
It was a cnc pc board drill, and was about the size of a maxNC 10.
The then current model was single spindle, and this photo was thrown
in as a "coming attractions" enticement. Never did find out if it
made production... But often think of that pic. (NCF-1000, maybe?)

You could get away from manual indexing by using the z axis to "make
the change". Are you familiar with the old turret tailstocks used
with metalworking lathes? Typically six-sided, they are indexed by an
away-from-the-headstock rotation of a 3 or 4 rod "handwheel" (like a
drill press quill handle). What is happening inside is that a fixed
rod or casting "bump" is hitting a peg(one of six) on the underside
of the tool carrying hex-shaped block. Continued movement indexes the
head(since the rod and the pin are off to one side of center), and a
system of locking for the cut is also provided.

I think this would make an excellent design model for a MaxNC turret
head. The action would be to raise the z axis upward, which would
effect the index. Moving back down would set the lock. For the price
of a little "lost" z axis motion, a tool/head change! And no change
to the s/w package necessary. You just add the upward move, AND keep
track of what tool is where... (position of the hex head, so you
can "bump" the correct number of times to get the tool you want)

Hope this helps.

Ballendo

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "npp67420" <npalen@n...> wrote:
> Doug--The idea of a turret type tool changer on a little benchtop
> mill might have some merit. It was discussed briefly on the Maxnc
> forum a couple months back. The Burgmaster concept makes for a
very quick tool change.
<snip>
> I'm wondering about taking it a step further and making an indexing
> turret head with at least four, possibly six, spindles ala
Burgmaster etc.
> In order to be cost effective the indexing would probably have to
> be done manually with the spindle stopped.
<snip of details>
> Nelson Palen
>