Re: High Speed Spindle for SIEG X2 - Finally .... ... just a nagging doubt ?

Alan,
The circuit boards I am making are about 2 inches round with cut-outs.

You are right, the proxxon would do both the drilling and the
profiling, however, it would need a tool change from the carbide 0.8mm
drill to the 3mm carbide endmill I prefer for profiling.

Using the Proxxon as a second spindle means I can do all the
processing on a board without any manual intervention, saving either
the time to switch cutters between boards, or the time to mount the board.

I guess I am lucky that the table is big enough to fit two boards on
only half of the table, so the second spindle would be over an empty
area of table.

A second spindle is cheaper, easier and probably more reliable than
building a toolchanger.

Chris

I am building the boards 100 at a time and the quantities may go up so
anything that saves time is worth it.

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Alan Marconett <KM6VV@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Chris,
>
> I'm interested! I believe I understand what you're going to do in
> mounting the Proxxon spindle along side the normal spindle of your mill.
>
> But why do you need to shift between the two spindles for PCB work? I
> can see the need to change tools. Can't the Proxxon do both?
>
> If the main spindle could be removed, it might be better. That's what
> I'm planning for the Sherline mill, which of course is easy in this
> regard. I have a mount for the DeWalt DW670 designed to fit the
Sherline.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Alan KM6VV
>
>
> Chris Horne wrote:
> > I think I will give it a shot.. I will order one on Monday.
> >
> > I have a 'Minicraft' drill which is now at least 10 years old and was
> > used in a commercial environment drilling 4mm holes in PVC. It was
> > chosen to be mounted in a larger machine that did all kinds of clever
> > cutting because of its small size. I guess it is probably
> > significantly more flimsy than the Proxxon, but survived hundreds of
> > thousands of holes running for hours at a time. There is no mention of
> > a time rating on it though. If the Proxxon is as good (and as
> > technology has improved, it should be significantly better) I guess
> > lifetime should be almost indefinite with minimal lateral force.
> >
> > I suppose I should explain what I want to do..
> >
> > This particular application is drilling and then profile cutting pcbs
> > into odd shapes and I was hoping to use the Proxxon piggy-backed onto
> > the mill for drilling and the uprated main spindle of the mill
> > (actually an X1 in this case) for the profiling. I guess I should get
> > round to CNCing a spindle controller to switch between spindles, which
> > would give each a rest while the other is performing. The spindles
> > only need to run about 3 inches apart to allow the unused spindle to
> > clear the workpiece. Currently, I have to run the boards through
> > twice, once with a carbide drill and a second time with a carbide end
> > mill. If this works, it will save 50% of the handling time without the
> > expense and complication of building an auto tool changer.
> >
> > It's a pity that the holes are too hard to punch directly in the
> > boards or I would use the Mill to build a press tool to do it all in
> > one! I did experiment, but punching from the plain side ripped the
> > copper track, and punching from the track side splintered the hole on
> > the other side.. getting the board off the punch was another story
> > altogether!
> >
> > Thats prabably enough rambling.. I'll get a proxxon and try it out!
> >
> > Cheers Guys
> >
> > Chris
> >
>