Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Manual to CNC Lathe Conversion

pondindustrial 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?
>

If you expect to use it much in the CNC mode, I would go for a ball screw
retrofit. If the threading screw was used for all CNC motions, it would
wear
very quickly.

> Since the unit will be
>CNC, is it even feasible to power the compound slide?
>
>

Just remove the compound entirely. You'll never need it with CNC. You
can get some really nice tool turrets that fit in their place. Take a look
at a Barruffaldi tool turret if you need something to lust after.

>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.
>
>

As I understand in, Mach(x) syncs up to the spindle once for each
pass, and assumes the spindle speed won't change when the cut
begins. If you need precision threads, that may not be good enough.

Of course, the competition (EMC) doesn't handle threads yet, so that's
not a good choice.

Jon