Re: Manual to CNC Lathe Conversion

You didn't mention the length of the screws you want to cut.

if you are exclusivly doing screw cutting, you could even remove the
carriage and bolt on a table with linear rails and a ball screw.

it sounds odd but I saw that idea a year or two ago and am trying to
figure out how to do that on my lathe.

it does require you monitor spind location with an encoder and time
the axes with the rotation.

If you want to have any accuracy and just CNC your lathe, considder
the ball screw. totally forget the half nuts.

If you really want to try and use the lead screw, map it over the
lenght for wear and see if it is possible.

Dave


--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "pondindustrial"
<pondindustrial@y...> wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> I recently purchased a Victor-1640B (16" Swing, 40" Centers, 32-2000-
> RPM, 7.5hp) manual lathe. I'm interested in converting this lathe to
> CNC very soon. Question is, where do I start? This lathe will be used
> primarily for threading, if that makes any difference!
>
> Specifically, I want to know the best method/s of driving the
> carriage & cross slide from those who have experience in lathe
> conversions. Should I use the lead screw and engage the half nuts for
> CNC allowing manual control when desired, or replace it with a ball
> screw with a zero backlash double ball-nut? Since the unit will be
> CNC, is it even feasible to power the compound slide?
>
> My experience: I own a 72"x72" CNC plasma table which I built a
> couple of years ago using Gecko drives, Mach2, ballscrews, and
> servomotors. Given that, I prefer to use Gecko drives and Mach2 again
> since I haven't experienced any trouble with either and furthermore,
> I'm now very familiar with both products.
>
> Thanks in advance for the help,
> Eric