Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Marmot_Militia on May 14, 2007, 10:18:38 AM

Title: How to use my mill as a lathe.
Post by: Marmot_Militia on May 14, 2007, 10:18:38 AM

Machinists,

Using Mach 3, PMDX and Geckos on a Smithy CNC mill.

I have a project that would easily be done on a CNC lathe, but I don't have one (yet).  

I need to cut a wave contour on the outside of a 2" diameter piece, 1" long.  I plan on chucking the piece into the R8 collet and cutting it with a lathe tool mounted on the table.

I am wondering how to go about writing code for this, suggestions for mounting a lathe tool on the table, and basically how it is done.

I can post a picture of the profile I'm needing if that will help. 

Thanks in advance.

MM

ps:  I have no idea why I'm getting this funky text, using Mac OSX 10.3.9.?????



Title: Re: How to use my mill as a lathe.
Post by: Graham Waterworth on May 14, 2007, 02:59:32 PM

This is not hard to do, post some pictures and we will give you some pointers on how to do it.

Graham.

Title: Re: How to use my mill as a lathe.
Post by: Marmot_Militia on May 14, 2007, 03:11:42 PM

Here's the wave(http://www.lightningtimesavers.com/wave.jpg)   I'm also wondering if using a ball end mill would work???.  THis wave has to go on the outside of a 2" dia x 1" deep cylinder, also the inside of a 2.5" dia x 1" hole, blind. thanks MM

Title: Re: How to use my mill as a lathe.
Post by: Brian Barker on May 14, 2007, 05:22:05 PM

Like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUw9XKjMfUg

or like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbfXXeiSHsw

Title: Re: How to use my mill as a lathe.
Post by: MikeHenry on May 14, 2007, 11:04:59 PM

Quote

or like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbfXXeiSHsw

Cool - is that hand coded?

Mike

Title: Re: How to use my mill as a lathe.
Post by: Brian Barker on May 15, 2007, 08:34:11 AM

With a few fixture offsets it would not be to bad :)
I don't know who did that but it was not me ;)