Messages

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G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Tool Change without M6 command

« on: June 17, 2014, 12:55:07 PM »

Another option is to program an M5 and M1 command where you want the tool change...on the same line as the M1 stop, add for example  (Change to tool #2 Ext threading) ..So It will tell you to change to the appropriate tool on bottom of screen..so when the machine stops, just set the active tool to whatever is necessary...Hope this makes sense

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: South Bend Fourteen Lathe conversion

« on: August 29, 2013, 03:34:37 AM »

I think that is great donm319, perfect machine to learn on, wish I had one when I was 16. The threading dial is a must manually...I have no idea what they are worth, if you still need it im sure we can figure something out. I Have a gearbox, reeves drive and a bunch of other stuff ive pulled off as well. ill check back tomorrow.

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: South Bend Fourteen Lathe conversion

« on: May 26, 2013, 11:38:51 PM »

Hello guys, i figured id give you all an update on the machine...The key to my understanding the proper setup was looking at the vital systems website,where i found a manual for the hicon. The machine has exceeded my expectations, and is running great.  I am still running the original leadscrews, and at the moment cannot justify changing to ballscrews. It threads wonderfully as is, and rapids at 40 IPM without any sense of being pushed too hard. I have a sump underneath the pan and a coolant system setup where the reeves drives was. Ive found i do not use the low range gear at all, so  ill try removing the gearbox, turning the motor around and running a belt directly from the motor to the spindle..It already runs much quieter and smoother than it did stock, and i imagine it will only get better without having to run the gearbox and big belt and pulleys that run between the motor/gearbox. Other than that, i think a tool turret or some type of auto tool changer would be the next improvement. Id love to hear you guys input on weather you think a hydraulic or pneumatic toolchanger would be a worthwile investment of time/money. Ive done a few searches but haven't seen much.

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: South Bend Fourteen Lathe conversion

« on: April 13, 2013, 04:29:46 PM »

Hi BR, I think you have hit the nail on the head. I need to talk to the hicon guys..I have never seen the index light on...

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: South Bend Fourteen Lathe conversion

« on: April 13, 2013, 01:07:07 PM »

Guys, I am very gracious for your time and insight. I am  pretty sure I have a 1:1 ratio on the encoder ..id bet a Franklin on it for what its worth. I don't want to waste your time asking questions I can answer by reading the manuals, but I've read it over time and time again..setting up this computer has been by far and above the most difficult part of this project for me no question.I believe you may be correct about the problem lying in the pulley settings..mach motion Tech help set up some of this stuff remotely, but I have been through almost all of it several times myself trying to get everything working properly.pulley settings are :  #1 50-300 rpm, #2 305-1800 .( I have a gearbox with high and low range). the place where you input the ratio is set at 1 for both. if you go into configure plugins and configuration for the hicon, there are some settings that I am unsure of.I'm about 2 minutes away from the shop and I am heading directly out there, will take some pictures of the screens showing the settings. will post picks up within 15 minutes or so.

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: South Bend Fourteen Lathe conversion

« on: April 13, 2013, 01:57:41 AM »

Thanks hood, the motion control and encoder both came from machmotion, so I assumed they would play nice together. But I have thought that this may be a problem..my biggest concern at this point is to get this thing threading properly. It cuts beautiful threads, but the pitch is larger than commanded. In a threading cycle, the true s dro will jump to 600 if it is command is 500, the higher the speed, the greater the jump..Im stumped on this one..thanks for the link jeep, i will be adding balls screws, just need to get the thing running right first...

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: South Bend Fourteen Lathe conversion

« on: April 11, 2013, 01:02:45 PM »

 thank you very much jeep, I will message hood about this, but there is virtually no play in the system i can feel. The only detectable play is in the spindle itself, which I suspect is virtually the same as it was 20 yrs ago. the only wait to feel it is to turn the spindle back and forth and you can you feel a tiny amount of play. I just opened up the cover under the original electronic control to ensure the spindle bearings were being lubricated properly, and all the gears look good as new.  I'll take a video and post a link to it in a few minutes. this is what I need though.. there has to be something I've overlooked somewhere.

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: South Bend Fourteen Lathe conversion

« on: April 11, 2013, 11:55:58 AM »

Pic

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: South Bend Fourteen Lathe conversion

« on: April 11, 2013, 11:55:16 AM »

The lower "apron" I suppose its called, is now dead weight.. only held o by a few bolts, from what i can tell its only job is an attachment point for the half nut..I have some 1" Alcoa plate ( 7075 ) , and was debating replacing the apron with this..and possibly adding another half nut or machining a bronze nut for minimizing backlash. Would this be a mistake?

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: South Bend Fourteen Lathe conversion

« on: April 11, 2013, 11:30:18 AM »

For you  "fourteen" owners, The aluminium tool holder "shelf"  hanging on the front of the machine consists of the two pieces of aluminum flat bar that hang onto edge, two pieces of alum angle drilled and tapped  for the flat bar to attach to,   and the back of the aluminum plate rests against the side..I'm going to finish it out with 1"x 1/2" tube around the edge to perty it up a bit. It will lift off with all the tools on it and is plenty stiff as is, although the tube will make it rigid...No welder required. Has worked out great so far.