Besides the Tormach, does anyone know of a power draw bar kit or plans that would be compatible with the Novakon 135's. I am getting tired of changing these tools by hand.

-Greg

a "mid way" would be the tormach tooling if you don't already have it. you still do manual tool changes but don't need to zero after each change

Check out www.hossmachine.info/projects_7.html. He has a good design that I am currently building for my X2. I think the deminsions could be adapted to your machine. With new components I am looking at building it for less than $100. I found a way around buying the expensive tormach tool holders but it is going to need some more trials. I am also unsure if the time it takes to make my holders is cost effective vs. buying the tormachs.

Can anyone explain the mechanism that holds the tool holder in place with a power drawbar system. Something like a modern setup that has a pin in the top of the toolholder. I am working on an auto tooler changer and need to know the best approach for holding the tool holder in place. A picture or diagram would be helpful, or point me in the right direction(web site). Thanks

On a series 1 std, the power draw bar is an air impact wrench turning the R-8 drawbar or a QC30 drawbar. VMCs have either an air cylinder or hydraulic cylinder working against a drawbar that has a stack of spring washers that work holding the collet up that holds the tool retention knob. Typically anout 2000 pounds of force. Yes you do need diagrams.

allternative energy (http://www.heavennyc.com)

You can make a powered drawbar very easily from a Harbor Freight butterfly impact wrench:

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCMillDrawbar.html

They work extremely well and many industrial mills use the same principle. Best of all, you can even just buy the impact wrench and hand hold it and tool changes will be very fast.

Solid R8 shank holders are repeatable to a few tenths on Z with such an arrangement.

Cheers,

BW

Since I started this thread I have been working on a air draw bar design similar to the Hoss version which uses bellview spring washers and an air operated lever. Very simple design and very quiet. It's all drawn up, have all the hardware and material ready, but haven't gotten around to building it yet.

Novakon will be offering an impact wrench type soon, but personally, I like the the simplicity of the lever type. It's less brutal on the draw bar and it doesn't sound like your working in a tire shop.

-Greg

Several variations of power drawbars with or without coolant, with hydraulic or pneumatic unclamp units can be built into the same spindles. Rotary unions and unclamp units are compatible and exchangeable.
Attorney Companies (http://dir.apostilleinusa.com)