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Posts Tagged ‘lathe’

Can a 4th-axis CNC mill essentially do CNC lathe turning?

I am a newb to the world of CNC machining so forgive my ignorance, but I want to know if a 4-axis CMC mill can essentially do the equivocal operations of a CNC lathe? What is confusing me is that the "4th-axis" is a rotary table head and tail stock that sits on the mill table, so does this mean then that you have the capability of turning operations with it? I mean aside from the fact that the tool bit of a lathe and the end mills of a vertical mill sit in different places relative to the stock, isn’t the basic motion created by the rotary table identical to that of a lathe thus making turning operations at the least similar if not identical?

Yes, of course, if its set up to do it.

I am a Machininst by trade. I know about CNC, but I don’t have much to do with them. I am running a manual machine shop, no CNCs in it.

But, you actually don’t need the 4th axis to turn something like you would on a lathe.

Since the Z axis, the one coming down on the part is turning, you can make that turning bit turn in ways that turn the outside of a piece much the same way you would turn a piece in a lathe. The piece that your turning would need to be in a vise and mounted like any other piece, but the work could not be longer than the bit doing the work.

You can also have a collet holding system installed on the bed of the Mill horizontally with point rest on the other side to hold the other side of the piece in place that will turn a piece incrementally, index it. I don’t know if that would be considered the 4th Axis though. Maybe the rotary Table could be considered the 4th Axis too. But, in either case, the piece would need to turn pretty fast to get the same effect as being on a lathe and turning.

You can do internal threading with a single point threading tool in a stationary piece. So that is in a reverse sort of way, using a Mill to do a threading job. Only the piece is stationary, but the bit is doing the work.

It would be a bit cumbersome though, but, yes, it can be done.

Don’t worry about being a newbee. I started in the machining world over 30 years ago. It take years to really get good at it. Sometimes I wish I never got into it, but a guys got to do what a guys got to do:)

Tags: cnc lathe, Don, lathe, mill, piece, point rest, threading tool

Posted in CNC Lathes |

Tags: cnc lathe, Don, lathe, mill, piece, point rest, threading tool |

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CNC Lathe Software?

I am turning my lathe into a CNC machine, and I need software for my computer. I was wondering what you use for CNC lathe, and I’d like to get software free.

Your best bet for CNC lathe is CNCezPRO; this program is the software you need; however, I do not think it is for free!

Tags: best bet, CNC, CNC Machine, lathe, software

Posted in CNC Lathes |

Tags: best bet, CNC, CNC Machine, lathe, software |

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can any one give me the difference between cnc lathe and conventional lathe?

Metal lathe or metalworking lathe are generic terms for any of a large class of lathes designed for precisely machining relatively hard materials. They were originally designed to machine metals; however, with the advent of plastics and other materials, and with their inherent versatility, they are used in a wide range of applications, and a broad range of materials. In machining jargon, where the larger context is already understood, they are usually simply called lathes, or else referred to by more-specific subtype names (toolroom lathe, turret lathe, etc.). These rigid machine tools remove material from a rotating workpiece via the (typically linear) movements of various cutting tools, such as tool bits and drill bits.

CNC lathe / CNC turning center

CNC Lathes are rapidly replacing the older production lathes (multispindle, etc) due to their ease of setting and operation. They are designed to use modern carbide tooling and fully utilize modern processes. The part may be designed by the Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) process, the resulting file uploaded to the machine, and once set and trialled the machine will continue to turn out parts under the occasional supervision of an operator. The machine is controlled electronically via a computer menu style interface, the program may be modified and displayed at the machine, along with a simulated view of the process. The setter/operator needs a high level of skill to perform the process, however the knowledge base is broader compared to the older production machines where intimate knowledge of each machine was considered essential. These machines are often set and operated by the same person, where the operator will supervise a small number of machines (cell).

The design of a CNC lathe has evolved yet again however the basic principles and parts are still recognizable, the turret holds the tools and indexes them as needed. The machines are often totally enclosed, due in large part to Occupational health and safety (OH&S) issues.

With the advent of cheap computers, free operating systems such as Linux, and open source CNC software, the entry price of CNC machines has plummeted. For example, Sherline makes a desktop CNC lathe that is affordable by hobbyists.

http://www.answers.com/cnc%20lathe

CNC Lathe is a precision lathe fitted with Computer Numerical Control systems.

Tags: CNC, lathe, machine, metalworking lathe, subtype names, turret lathe

Posted in CNC Lathes |

Tags: CNC, lathe, machine, metalworking lathe, subtype names, turret lathe |

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I would like to know what the average weight is for an average machine in a machine tool shop?

Know this is difficult – I was thinking of a CNC lathe or something like it – would it be one ton, two? I need to calculate shipping based on weight – I can visualise the size but not weight

I’m a CNC machinist, hard to say an average, depending on lathe or mill, big or small, I run mazak quik turns, which i think are about 3000 pounds.
I’ve worked on other lathes that were in the 5000 & 6000 range.
I’ve also worked on mills that were 10 – 15000 pounds.
If you know the make and model of the machine, maybe do a google search for the mfg. and check their dimensions and weight.

Tags: CNC, cnc lathe, cnc machinist, google search, lathe, weight

Posted in CNC Machine Shops |

Tags: CNC, cnc lathe, cnc machinist, google search, lathe, weight |

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Best Lathe machine/training for hardcore fine artist?

I want something beginner under 3,000, ideally 800 or less. Willing to pay up to 5,000 if necessary for a good one. Are there any that work with metal And Wood… and other stuff like stone or plastic? What other gear do I need? What’s the best training? I applied for machine tool technology at my local tech school. Will they tech me the manual stuff or are they focused on CBC software stuff? Are there any hobbysized CNC Lathes? Any simple man powered lathes still out there?
*sp CNC
I want to make pseudo-weapons, Geiger-esque sculptures, complex mandalas, useable art like vases. Detail heavy stuff.

How much are and where do I get raw material? Wood isn’t hard to find. What about metal? I’m even thinking about carving discarded scrap metal and plastic!
Would I be better off teaching myself off books? If so what titles and where do I find said books?

I would expect that tech schools teach what is requested from businesses in the area, so you need to ask what is offered.
Metal requires a much stronger lathe than wood with stronger motors gears and bearings. Tools on a wood lathe are hand held on a rest while metal tools must be mounted to withstand the forces involved. Most metal lathes are much more complicated than wood lathes and involve screw positioning and drives for the tool mounts so precision can be held. You could work wood on a metal lathe, but messy as wood chips and oil required for machining mix.
But from what you say you want to make, a lathe is pretty much worthless. Lathes make round things, the only thing you mention that is naturally round is vases and those are not normally turned from metal on a lathe from a solid block. Even if I have missed something, do you really want to put unknown metal chunks in your expensive lathe?
I think you need to do more research because what you may want is metal forming, which can involve lathe forming but the lathe is more like a wood lathe, but also includes a lot of other metal handling skills, most of which are not done specifically by hand (like fenders are shaped with an English wheel, not hammered to shape)
You might contact some of the people involved in Renaissance faire re-enactors and making armor, decorations, and costumes for them as the skills they use are more in line with your desires. If you search on line for "making armor" "making helmets" you will encounter terms like raising and sinking metal and repousse http://users.ticnet.com/mikefirth/repousse.htm Many of these skills are discussed more in silversmithing books (or under whitesmithing) rather than machining metal.
edit
the Society for Creative Anachronism is people devoted to being really, really accurate about old details, including making stuff the old fashioned way. They do intense research and write papers on what they found – and set up web sites to talk about it.

Tags: lathe, machine tool technology, metal, metal lathes, Wood, wood lathe

Posted in CNC Machining School |

Tags: lathe, machine tool technology, metal, metal lathes, Wood, wood lathe |

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I’m an experienced cnc machinist that would like to do some work on the side.Where can I find some work?

I ‘m in N Y and I have a manual lathe and small CNC mill.Moreover, I have some experience in welding. Can someone give me an advice how to get some work?

There are hundreds of small suppliers to the government that make everything that the military uses. The small electronic manufacturers sub contract out the cabinets etc. that they need. They are all in a little circle, it’s not a closed one, you just need to find a way into it. Some of the smallest contractors in your area can be owned by an native American female and turning over millions because of the way the government deals out contracts. A big company is not always better, go knock on some little doors.

Tags: government, government deals, lathe, little doors, manual lathe, N Y, way

Posted in CNC Lathes |

Tags: government, government deals, lathe, little doors, manual lathe, N Y, way |

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