Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] NEW conversion project....

I picked up some new toys at the auction over the week-end.

I got a Logan 6520-H lathe that is and will remain manual.

I also got a Kent knee Mill.

It has a power feed on the table that is not quite right.
I presume it is due to the fact the other end of the feed screw
on the far side of the table got whacked somewhere along the
line and is bent.
The table moves fine with the handwheels although the left one
wobbles back and forth several inches ;-).

I figure it is fixable, but want to get a few things established first.

Unless I'm mistaken this part bolts to the leadscrew.
This is the part the has the indicator wheel and hand wheel attached and
goes thru the bearings in the table itself.

To install as servo or stepper, I MAY need to modify the part.

I'm wondering about simply making a new one from scratch rather
then trying to straighten the old one.

I want to keep the manual functionality and would like to be able to
easily and fully disengage the new drives.

I have some fairly heavy steppers and am a computer and electronics
geek so I'm not afraid of that as such, but by the same token I'd
rather not reinvent the wheel or fall in the same pits.

This mill is a 1978 Kent Knee mill.
The bed is 9 X 42 with a 2 hp motor and an R8 collet.

Is there any rule of thumb on how big of motors it
takes to drive the axis on one of these.
This is for personal use, and I don't need a super fast system
and something that is designed to handle 3 shifts a day
on a production floor and run for 30 years.

On the other hand, I'm impatient and want stuff to work after
as reasonable amount of messin-with-it.

What does everyone use on the bridgeports and how are the
steppers geared? Obviously a guy could run a small stepper thru a
100-1 reduction gear setup or direct drive with a 2 hp DC motor,
but either is a bit extreme, what middle ground is there?
What works?

Not to start a debate about Axis naming conventions but what mechanism
do people use to move in the "Z" or (up and down standing facing the
machine)

Both my table AND the Quill will move in this axis.

What are the advantages and problems with automating one or the other.

Off the top of my head, the Quill could move a lot faster, but
the table would have a lot more travel.



Another issue, is someone overtightened a bolt or stud in the center
T slot right at the center of the table.

It broke a hole the width of the slot and about 3" wide along
the length.
It is not a structural issue I don't think, but it is right over the
lead screws and also down into the knee.

I don't want to continue to drop chips and other crap down there.
I'm afraid welding or brazing a patch on there will warp the table.

How does JB or other types of epoxy hold up to on these machines?

Any other ideas?

Marc