4th Axis
Posted by
Frank
on 2008-04-01 17:24:58 UTC
I want to create a 4th axis for my gantry mill. I plan to use a
1:100 harmonic drive to directly turn the work piece. Aluminium is
the hardest material I will machine.
I have a few questions.
Firstly, I'd like to be able to use my collection of 9x20 lathe
chucks and face plates, but they are threaded, with a simple grub
screw to help hold in place.
Will a threaded chuck unscrew?
How hard is it to make a spindle that will take a camlock? Any plans
anywhere?
If I get a dedicated chuck and bolt this directly to the spindle,
what is more useful? 3 jaw, 4 jaw, face plate, something else?
On to using it. How do you find the centre of rotation in Z and Y?
Is this just a case of chucking a precision round bar and probing?
Or is there another way? I don't expect my 4th Axis to be
permanently mounted, so I'll need to do for each different project.
Thanks,
Frank
1:100 harmonic drive to directly turn the work piece. Aluminium is
the hardest material I will machine.
I have a few questions.
Firstly, I'd like to be able to use my collection of 9x20 lathe
chucks and face plates, but they are threaded, with a simple grub
screw to help hold in place.
Will a threaded chuck unscrew?
How hard is it to make a spindle that will take a camlock? Any plans
anywhere?
If I get a dedicated chuck and bolt this directly to the spindle,
what is more useful? 3 jaw, 4 jaw, face plate, something else?
On to using it. How do you find the centre of rotation in Z and Y?
Is this just a case of chucking a precision round bar and probing?
Or is there another way? I don't expect my 4th Axis to be
permanently mounted, so I'll need to do for each different project.
Thanks,
Frank