moray
03-08-2006, 01:00 PM
After much procrastinating, I've finally decided to physically do something about getting some CNC functionality in my workshop.
The first candidate, is a Harrison Knee Mill, that I've had stood doing nothing for the past couple of years. It's originally an Auto Cycle machine, which means it already has a ballscrew fitted to the X-axis. I don't yet know if this will be useable or not, as I do know that there is play in the X-axis, but I'm not sure if it's in the screw, or the nut mounting.
The mill is essentially a horizontal knee mill, which came with the option of a vertical milling attachment. I've only got the one vertical head to share between two mills, so it'll be remaining on the working mill until this mill has been cnc'd.
At the current stage, I've removed the table, and knee. The knee/table assembly will be getting weighed, and a suitable air cylinder + regulator fitted to act as a counterbalance. The knee itself is going to be the Z-axis.
At the moment, the current plan is to use servo's, but this may change depending on what motors I find.
I've attached some pictures of the mill. The first is the mill before any work commenced. The secon and third are the mill in it's current state.
I'll post up a exploded view of the z-axis nut design, with explanation later.
The first candidate, is a Harrison Knee Mill, that I've had stood doing nothing for the past couple of years. It's originally an Auto Cycle machine, which means it already has a ballscrew fitted to the X-axis. I don't yet know if this will be useable or not, as I do know that there is play in the X-axis, but I'm not sure if it's in the screw, or the nut mounting.
The mill is essentially a horizontal knee mill, which came with the option of a vertical milling attachment. I've only got the one vertical head to share between two mills, so it'll be remaining on the working mill until this mill has been cnc'd.
At the current stage, I've removed the table, and knee. The knee/table assembly will be getting weighed, and a suitable air cylinder + regulator fitted to act as a counterbalance. The knee itself is going to be the Z-axis.
At the moment, the current plan is to use servo's, but this may change depending on what motors I find.
I've attached some pictures of the mill. The first is the mill before any work commenced. The secon and third are the mill in it's current state.
I'll post up a exploded view of the z-axis nut design, with explanation later.