Re: Seig X1 / X2 table extension for second High Speed Spindle

Response to #88940
Chris, as others have responded, the drilled and tapped plate idea
has been around for a long time. So it is not my idea. But I will
be doing the same thing. What you have done is clarified that
nothing is lost when adding a spindle next to the stock spindle, if
the X axis table is extended the like amount. It should have been
obvious to me, since KDN Tool had mentioned it to me.

But you have uncovered something important, that is the "table" can
be made as large as you want, if you mount a second spindle to
access that new work area. Of course mount deflections have to be
taken into consideration given the the cutter forces in the vertical
direction. Stiffness is also important because it is a spring mass
system. But again given the tiny chip loads when engraving, the
offset can be large. If one really wanted to get carried away, he
could double the X axis work area, by mounting a third spindle in
front on the stock spindle. Again all of the spindles must be
cutting to the same G-code, and so are making identical parts.

Unless, one were going to machine one half of a "part" with one
spindle and G-code, and then the other half with the other spindle
and different G-code. WILD.

Bill Perun

"Chris Horne" <chris@...> wrote:

> Bill, I can't remember who it was to give them credit (please

speak up if it

> was you !) but I read somwhere about adding an Aluminium or Steel
> plate to the top of the table, CNC drilling a grid of holes and

then tapping them for use fixing down work. I don;t remember if they

> suggested running a flycutter over it?
>
> It seemed a good idea at the time as it should be possible to

relocate

> jigs, fixtures etc. much more accuately than using the 'T' slots.
>
> By 'extending' this idea and extending the plate to cover the extra
> 'X' required... it would provide the proverbial two bird lunch !
>
> I will probably do this and add into the equation, some threaded,
> shouldered dowels to fit the holes, as they will provide a more
> accurate location than just bolts.
>
> The final addition to this addition would be a plastic tray fitted

and

> sealed between the existing table and the new plate. This would

make

> it easy to use coolant without it getting all over the ways as

well as

> catching most of the chips when machining dry.
>
> I don't think a small amount of coolant would add significantly to

the

> inertia of the table as it would tend to slop around.
>
> Chris
>