Messages

1

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Success! Mini Machining Center under Mach3 control - Video link

« on: November 06, 2012, 07:47:18 PM »

Every time I go through this thread, I'm awed. I'm about to start making chips for my own 4th axis. So I visit this thread for inspiration!

Mike

2

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Adding a 4th axis to my mill

« on: May 15, 2012, 10:13:18 AM »

Yikes! You found an error for me. The tooth profiles that I have here are trapezoidal. I'm short of time this week to do much about it. At least the belt has the right tooth profile, but it was too short. Sigh.

Man, it's not like I haven't done this a time or two....

Mike

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Adding a 4th axis to my mill

« on: May 14, 2012, 06:12:43 PM »

One of the tags that came with a pulley I ordered says this on it:

Quality Transmission Components
Division of Designtronics, Inc.
55 South Denton Ave., New Hyde Park, New York 11040
516.437.6700

One of the pulleys was part number QPMT5A16032F08 T5 Timing Pulley.


I don't remember which web site it was affiliated with.

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Adding a 4th axis to my mill

« on: April 15, 2012, 07:48:19 PM »

Certainly a temperature delta would help the press fit.

I had a tough time getting the basic parts cut from the 1 inch thick stock that I picked up from the recycling center. The horizontal bandsaw only cuts about 48% through the width of a piece. So when I flipped it over they were 1/4"  apart. The band saw blade broke. My spare was broken when I slid the material in from the side and banged into it. I ordered a pair of blades from Amazon. They were from Starrett. The new blades cut quite a bit faster. But they now curve through the material instead of cut a straight line like the band saw used too. The blade maybe thinner as I noticed there was a gap between the bearing guides that seemed excessive. This saw cut dead straight for 10 years. So an alignment is in order. Also the weld on the Starrett blade was thicker than the blade itself. It would thump every time the weld passed through the material.

Now at least all of the pieces are rough cut. Each one just needs to be milled true then I can start machining the 4th axis parts.

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Adding a 4th axis to my mill

« on: March 24, 2012, 05:15:14 AM »

The 80, 32, and 16 groove GT2 pulleys came in today. The belt was the wrong length. After looking at the calculator I am suspicious of it's accuracy. So I have drawn the belt path in cad. That showed I need about a 90 groove belt. Maybe longer would be better since I have 2 drive pulleys of differing diameters. The pulleys came from Econobelt. And the belt came from SDP/SI. At least I have lots to do before I need the belt.

My horizontal band saw takes at least and hour to cut about half way through the 1 inch al plate. I may have to use the skill saw with the metal cutting blade.

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Adding a 4th axis to my mill

« on: March 22, 2012, 10:55:02 AM »

Found some 1.25" aluminum rod for the motor shaft adapter at a local supplier. Originally I was going to use steel. But a lower rotating mass is a better choice. And another piece of 1" flat stock for enough material to have enough for the tail stock. I'll lay out the parts on the flat stock to make sure I have enough material. I don't think my horizontal band saw is tall enough to hold a 9" piece. The standard back up plan is to use a hollow ground saw blade made for cutting aluminum in my circular saw.

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Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Adding a 4th axis to my mill

« on: March 20, 2012, 10:10:26 AM »

Hi adprinter,

You really should post pics and a write up in your own thread. Great projects like that are a help to many folks.

Mike

8

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Adding a 4th axis to my mill

« on: March 20, 2012, 09:33:43 AM »

I never knew there was so much science to press fitting bearings. I've always done it more or less by feel with success. Thanks for the links Dan.

I will be cutting up the pieces from the 1" stock here soon. Then we'll test my larger bearing press fit skills!

9

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Adding a 4th axis to my mill

« on: March 19, 2012, 04:27:24 PM »

Hi Dan,

I've not heard of bearing fit tables. I'll look into them.

10

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Adding a 4th axis to my mill

« on: March 19, 2012, 02:14:23 AM »

I tried to press one of the bearings onto the spindle. After I got it on there straight, it went on nicely. I pressed it on about 40% of the way and realized I need to probably press it into the front wall first, then press it onto the spindle. I have yet to machine the walls. At least the fit is good.