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Author Topic: Mach4 Lathe: Is elliptical turning possible?  (Read 998 times)

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Offline Azalin

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Mach4 Lathe: Is elliptical turning possible?
« on: December 29, 2021, 07:08:11 AM »
I use SolidWorks & SolidCAM and Mach4 for my simple 2 axis lathe.

Looks like SolidCAM can not do elliptic so wonder if there is a plugin like software for Mach4 that allows one ellipse turning?

Offline Azalin

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Re: Mach4 Lathe: Is elliptical turning possible?
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2021, 07:34:02 AM »
By the way, my lathe have an encoder attached to the spindle.
Re: Mach4 Lathe: Is elliptical turning possible?
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2021, 02:30:23 PM »
I use SolidWorks & SolidCAM and Mach4 for my simple 2 axis lathe.

Looks like SolidCAM can not do elliptic so wonder if there is a plugin like software for Mach4 that allows one ellipse turning?

What you mean elliptic? Fillet? Arc?
Why not solidcam can't?
If you can upload an example to see.

Offline Azalin

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Re: Mach4 Lathe: Is elliptical turning possible?
« Reply #3 on: December 29, 2021, 03:04:35 PM »
Re: Mach4 Lathe: Is elliptical turning possible?
« Reply #4 on: December 29, 2021, 04:10:22 PM »
Something like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP2OD6XbZw4

You need to change your post-processor to mill-turn and your lathe need to have 3 axis. You must change the spindle motor to a servo or something to make movement than speed. Mach4 and solidworks-solidcam is capable for this, no plugin need.

Offline Azalin

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Re: Mach4 Lathe: Is elliptical turning possible?
« Reply #5 on: December 29, 2021, 05:07:43 PM »
I don't think the spindle needs to be a servo. The lathe in the video has an induction motor driven by a VFD. But the spindle have an encoder with hall, same as mine. He uses LinuxCNC though.

https://youtu.be/z6dK41_usfQ?t=281
Re: Mach4 Lathe: Is elliptical turning possible?
« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2021, 03:58:20 AM »
I don't think the spindle needs to be a servo. The lathe in the video has an induction motor driven by a VFD. But the spindle have an encoder with hall, same as mine. He uses LinuxCNC though.

https://youtu.be/z6dK41_usfQ?t=281

As i said you need a way to use your spindle as movement and not speed. Don't believe that worth to try with encoders e.t.c

To do something like that with encoder, you need to have a high resolution encoder not just a hal to know where exactly is the spindle. That info need to know mach4 and use is as an Axis ( A, C e.tc.) or have some kind script/plugin to use that info when you want.

If is possible, yes i believe it is, if it worth it, i think not.

The video is turn cutting with rpm sensing and the 1st video was face cutting like a mill.

Ofc someone maybe know more..

Offline Graham Waterworth

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Re: Mach4 Lathe: Is elliptical turning possible?
« Reply #7 on: December 30, 2021, 06:18:58 PM »
You have to treat it as a milling profile so the spindle is the A axis and that way you can sync it to the X axis,  the only problem you may have is depending on the shape you may need the tool to rise and fall on the Y axis to maintain the cutting centre line so the back of the tool is not fouling the part.

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