Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Setting Lathe or Mill Gibs

kiwiavi wrote:

>Hi Is there a more scientific way to set gibs other than "when it
>slides freely"
>
>If this is the only way, how free is freely ?
>
>

This is really a complex question. It depends somewhat on the machine
and the work it will be performing. For rough machining of harder
materials, you may need the gibs a bit tighter to prevent vibration of
the table. For high rapid feed rates, you may need to keep them looser
to prevent heating of the ways. Some machines have so much contact
area that the gibs can be left quite loose, as the sheer weight of the
table keeps everything from getting sloppy. Others have very flexible
and poorly machined ways, and the gibs need to be kept tight enough
that there is considerable sliding friction to prevent looseness in the
cross direction.

So, you want the gibs as loose as they can be without affecting the
performance of the cutting. For instance, it is quite customary to
keep lathe compound slides REALLY tight, and the cross slide fairly
snug, to where the sliding friction is very apparent. Note that the
lathe's compound is usually the smallest slide on the machine, and
therefore the snug gib really improves stiffness.

Jon