Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: BClemens on December 24, 2009, 08:53:49 AM
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I invariably watch this machine work....The intent is to set up the machine to run a part while on lathe making associated parts but the lathe will shut down and attention goes back to the 'Mach Mill' running.... The machine is mesmerizing and (knock on wood) so reliable. I have run the machine all night long on some parts, but of course didn't watch all of that time....and on checking; the part is done and the machine is shut down ready for more. I like this mill! Just wish it were a little larger. Maybe the next one....
(light chit chat)
Thanks,
Bill C.
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? Did I miss something here?
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Depends on what your doing and the capability of the machine.
I do mostly one of a kind of milling and turning.
For some things i can do them faster manualy ( by the time i draw it, create the code i can have it done manualy, but it's realy simple stuff ). Sometimes it's only foolish thinking.
You get into any profile cutting, make more than one part or a complex part...CNC is the way to go.
The wizards also provide for single tasks and CNC use.
Just hand code a turn profile, or a pocket once and you will see the benefits.
Most importantly, you can screw up a part in a repeatable fashion. ;)
A good analogy is having a digital readout, you wonder how you ever did things without it! ;D
RICH
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Yes, one of a kind - and not intended to make a living at selling! And that's a good thing for the reasons you bring up - the time involved. Yes too; the parts are drawn, converted, and machined on the NC machine because of the complexity. These parts would be darn near impossible to conventionally machine....And I watch!
Yea, the Sargon DRO on my lathe would be hard to live without and a conventional mill without a DRO would seem a real handicap now....
Bill C.
Fastest1 - No, you didn't miss anything because this was only a bit of chit chat about CNC machining as a hobby...... and watching it go, that's all...
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On a similar note:
We gave our daughter a Romba - you know - one of those cute little automatic sort of robotic room sweepers that were all over the tv screens several years ago. Anyway, she called to say she loved it, that it did a good job, but that it did not save her any time when cleaning the house. She went on to explain that watching the little rodent clean was entertaining and instead of turning it lose and going on to other pursuits, she turned it on and sat down to watch it. Said she wasted a lot of time like that!
I have had similar experiences when working with my small Taig cnc mill. It is fun to watch and listen to as it goes about its programmed chores. Before I got comfortable with the machine I would watch it for hours. It is, after all, small and slow. But in the Taigs defense, it will cut parts that would be next to if not totally impossible to make manually. The addition of a 4th axis has opened up a new arena of entertainment. There have been times (after much trial and error) recently when I have actually been comfortable enough with its operation to walk away while its running and machine manual parts on the lathe.
Bob@BobsShop - drawing, proramming, whistling, and cutting.
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How can a CNC machine save time?
Imagine doing a bunch of arcs and radius , all on a manual machine with a turntable . Lots of setups.
But , that's all we had , and no DRO. :o a pad of paper and a pencil , and no Calculater. :o
Yes , I guess I am old. ;D
Ed
Merry Christmas to the best bunch of guys on the best forum on the planet.
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I was hooked on the Roomba and the Scooba too. It does save time after you have reached the point you can trust it :<)
On a similar note:
We gave our daughter a Romba - you know - one of those cute little automatic sort of robotic room sweepers that were all over the tv screens several years ago. Anyway, she called to say she loved it, that it did a good job, but that it did not save her any time when cleaning the house. She went on to explain that watching the little rodent clean was entertaining and instead of turning it lose and going on to other pursuits, she turned it on and sat down to watch it. Said she wasted a lot of time like that!
I have had similar experiences when working with my small Taig cnc mill. It is fun to watch and listen to as it goes about its programmed chores. Before I got comfortable with the machine I would watch it for hours. It is, after all, small and slow. But in the Taigs defense, it will cut parts that would be next to if not totally impossible to make manually. The addition of a 4th axis has opened up a new arena of entertainment. There have been times (after much trial and error) recently when I have actually been comfortable enough with its operation to walk away while its running and machine manual parts on the lathe.
Bob@BobsShop - drawing, proramming, whistling, and cutting.
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How can a CNC machine save time?
Imagine doing a bunch of arcs and radius , all on a manual machine with a turntable . Lots of setups.
But , that's all we had , and no DRO. :o a pad of paper and a pencil , and no Calculater. :o
Yes , I guess I am old. ;D
You think you had it bad.............
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe1a1wHxTyo
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;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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A video camera pointed toward Monty Python (and friends) will surly result in laughter! Good one!
Ed, I have spent the day making a three inch circular cut with a manual mill using only a pad and pencil to figure the coordinates....I'm so old that they didn't even have power feeds back then either!
Bill C.
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Twangggggggg, sorry my violin just bust ;D
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Twangggggggg, sorry my violin just bust ;D
You are lucky you have a violin, I just have a rubber band and a shoebox.
Hood
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;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Graham didn't watch the U-Tube....
Bill C.
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Ahh - My Grandad told me about the Good Old Days when all the machines were shaft and belt operated from a central steam engine. Some poor s** had to stoke the boiler and get steam up before he started work at 6am. I think he did actually operate a CNC machine (Coal Not Coke). ;D
Tweakie.
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On a serious note: My grandfather had a company that manufactured locust insulator pins for telephone poles. The plant was all steam powered with line shafts and flat belts all over the place. The main machine building was built of white oak and was all post and beam construction, tennoned and pinned together to support the machines and line shafting. Talk about watching; that was most mesmerizing. I spent many summers creating havoc around the mill and my granddad. The building is still there in Huntersville, WV. and last visit, the engine and most of the equipment is still in place. Steam was king back then... The plant was always located near a river or stream for a water supply so there was never 'nothing' to do..
back to business...
Bill C.