Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Lathes for retrofit

I wonder when manufacturers are going to start building lathes
specifically for CNC retrofit.

Right now the typical bench lathe has:

1) a Z axis rack,
2) a threading gearbox,
3) a crosslide gear box
4) a compound slide
5) a multi speed (ie 8 or 9) spindle gearbox
6) a tailstock set over
7) a taper attachment
8) a feedrod
9) a half nut and thread position indicator

that are ALL redundant on a CNC machine. Basically all a CNC retrofit
lathe needs to have are:

1) about 3 spindle speeds in the gear box.
2) a strong 3 phase motor (drive it with a VFD)
3) a strong bed, carriage, etc.
4) zero backlash X and Z ballscrews, with provisions for mounting a
drive motor.
5) a good chip handling system
6) a good coolant system


Furthermore, for the price of a good DRO system these days, one can
build a really good CNC retrofit system. Aren't the DROs these guys
selling redundant too ?

Kim

On Thu, 2003-10-30 at 08:01, James Cullins wrote:
> Thanks
> Jim
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "ballendo" <ballendo@...>
> To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 8:04 AM
> Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Lathes for retrofit
>
>
> > James,
> >
> > I'm talking about 9x20 size machines; in this case the Bv20 series,
> > which is distinguished from the "typical" 9x20 by its gear driven
> > spindle, and lack of a Quick change gear box and carriage feed by
> > worm drive on the leadscrew.
> >
> > Hope this helps,
> >
> > Ballendo
> >
> > P.S. One strong advantage of the typical 9x20 not yet mentioned is
> > that you can get one at HF for about 550 bucks... (so it may be worth
> > removing the "extras" to make a CNC lathe)
> >
> >
> > --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "James Cullins"
> > <jcullins@c...> wrote:
> > > Are you talking about the CQ6120X320
> > > LATHEMASTER 8 X 14 MINI ?
> > > Jim
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "ballendo" <ballendo@y...>
> > > To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
> > > Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 7:26 AM
> > > Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Lathes for retrofit
> > >
> > >
> > > > David,
> > > >
> > > > Snips, inserts below:
> > > >
> > > > --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "David A. Frantz"
> > > > <wizard@e...> wrote:
> > > > >As far as actual conversion what advantages foes the Lathemaster
> > > > >lathe provide over the others? It does seem to be difficult to
> > > > >get comments form people concerning the Lathemaster lathe. The
> > > > >are always plenty of comments on how to get the HF and Grizzley
> > > > >lathes running but very little on the Lathemaster.
> > > >
> > > > The chief advantage of the lathemaster for CNC is what I
> > mentioned;
> > > > there is less stuff to remove and/or work around to complete the
> > > > conversion. The reason there is not much about it on my 9x20Lathe
> > > > group is that for manual use, the "std" 9x20's are far superior,
> > > > except for a steel only shop where the lower speed at teh bottom
> > end
> > > > is appreciated. Less so with modern tooling...
> > > >
> > > > Which brings me to the next consideration for a CNC conversion,
> > the
> > > > drive train of a CNC lathe is likely going to be an upgrade to a
> > VFD.
> > > > A lathemaster has spindle gears which may allow for more
> > flexibility
> > > > when using a cheap VFD setup (I'm not a fan of cheap Import gear
> > > > trains, so I'd just drive it direct.) But again , the Lathemaster
> > has
> > > > less "junk" in the way to remove(Can we just call it a Bv20 style?
> > > > The "lathemaster" is just a popular version OF the Bv20.)
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > >It is interesting your comments on the manual aspects of the
> > > > >Grizzley, HF and similar lathes. That is all well and good
> > but if
> > > > >you really want flexibility, even for manual operations, the
> > > > >rational thing to do would be to motorize those axis. Hardinge
> > > > >has been doing this for just about forever on their tool room
> > > > >lathes, unfortunately not direct drive but very flexible none the
> > > > >less.
> > > >
> > > > You're preaching to the choir here<G> My 9x20Lathe group is the
> > > > opposite of here; nearly entirely manual users, so we tend to stay
> > > > OFF the subject of CNC, the same way here we stay OFF the subject
> > of
> > > > manual machining... (Personally, I like and use both manual and
> > CNC,
> > > > but not on the same machine! I still think preserving the
> > handwheels
> > > > on a CNC retrofit is a poor choice.)
> > > >
> > > > > Thanks
> > > > > Dave
> > > >
> > > > You're welcome.
> > > >
> > > > Ballendo
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
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> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jobshophomeshop I consider this to be a sister site to the CCED group, as many of the same members are there, for OT subjects, that are not allowed on the CCED list.
>
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--
Kim Lux <lux@...>