Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Fred_evans on January 31, 2015, 01:10:10 PM

Title: suggestions needed for setting up tailstock stepper on lathe
Post by: Fred_evans on January 31, 2015, 01:10:10 PM

Hello Chaps

I am using a lathe with Mach3. I use screen 1024.lset ( the entry
level screen )

I have wired up a stepper motor to drive the tailstock  screw.

The ides is to use the tailstock for drilling  and  holding  the
rolling centre when machining  long shafts.

For drilling I dont think it will be  important ( for me at this stage anyway)
to be precise with dimensions and depth . All i really need at the
moment is to be able to put some code in which will drill a starting hole
in a solid rod before boring.
Again - for holding the rolling centre on a long shaft - will manufacture a
spring loaded rolling centre which will apply spring pressure to the
rolling centre to allow for small discrepancies in the shaft lengths.
The rolling centre will have a spring controlled travel of about 5 mm which
should be enough for what i want to do 

I would appreciate advice and suggestions on doing the setup such as
which axis to use , which switches to activate , etc  and most importantly- where to
find the setup details in the operators manual

best regards and many thanks in advance

fred evans


Title: suggestions needed for setting up tailstock stepper on lathe
Post by: JohnHaine on January 31, 2015, 06:19:35 PM
As far as I know Mach3 Turn only supports 2 axes so I'm not sure how you can do this.


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Title: Re: suggestions needed for setting up tailstock stepper on lathe
Post by: RICH on January 31, 2015, 07:25:27 PM
Use the Mill screen.....lathe screen with a third axis on it ie; mine has an A axis which could be configured as linear rotation so you could play with  steps per unit for the Z direction move and set feedrate for drilling accordingly......swap axis ( rusty on that one).

Just some thoughts, ???

RICH
Title: Re: suggestions needed for setting up tailstock stepper on lathe
Post by: BR549 on January 31, 2015, 07:34:40 PM
Unless I missed something you can use all 6 axis in TURN. You just have to setup the screen. (I just tried it here and it simulates just fine).

Set up C as linear and call it when needed.  You can even setup 2 buttons to extend and retract the Centerpoint or  use Gcode to do center drilling.

Just a thought, (;-)TP

Title: Re: suggestions needed for setting up tailstock stepper on lathe
Post by: RICH on January 31, 2015, 07:41:51 PM
Here is a link to a lathe screen with 3 axes on it. Has A but that could changed to something different.
Dump the original screen and use this one.

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,13548.0.html

RICH
Title: Re: suggestions needed for setting up tailstock stepper on lathe
Post by: Fred_evans on February 01, 2015, 12:54:56 PM
Hello chaps --0 thanks for the input

TP - your suggestion looks quite easy. when you say setup screen do i have to do
any work on screens like adding dros etc?. I havent got that far yet.

Rich i will download the sreeen you suggest. If I instal this new screen will its configuration
change the configuration of mt current 1025.lset screen?
My concern is that i find that i have to use the old screen while learning the new screen and
i dont want to find it broken if i choose to select the old screen.

regards

fred
Title: Re: suggestions needed for setting up tailstock stepper on lathe
Post by: RICH on February 01, 2015, 02:28:11 PM
Quote
If I instal this new screen will its configuration change the configuration of mt current 1025.lset screen?

Suggest you create  a new xml for using that screen from your current one.  The when using it, load the other screen instead of the 1024.lset.

RICH