Re: 4th Axis

Will it unscrew? - yes
Is it hard to make a cam lock spindle - yes
Most useful - 4 jaw; most conveinient - 3 jaw; most versitile -
faceplate; All depends on the type of work you mostly intend intend
to do.
Use an edge finder to reference the spindle center to your work.

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Frank" <ftkalcevic@...>
wrote:

>
> 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
>