View Full Version : Need help choosing bar lathe I think?


houdini
05-26-2009, 07:59 PM
OK I have some parts I am going to go into business making , but I am trying to find a single machine to do it all but not pay out the wazoo.

The part for description is a .625 Dia*1.25 Length it has a .375 Dia. *.5 Depth bore at either end. then it has 5/64 ball end mill air passages cut all over the outside, with some 5/64 through holes drilled also. I know it would be best to have a dual spindle to grab the part at part off and bore the second hole but I would be ok with putting it in backward later, but want options for both.
Something like this YouTube - MugaTech IT-42 4 axis CNC bar lathe

or even better, YouTube - STAMA 5-AXIS MILLING and TURNING TECHNOLOGY
YouTube - STAMA 5-Axis System 7 HIP SOCKET CUTTING DEMO

Geof
05-26-2009, 08:06 PM
Have you priced the machines in the videos? I think they qualify as way out the wazoo. You should be considering a milling machine with a 4th axis.

houdini
05-26-2009, 10:38 PM
Problem is the part will have to be turned down, also it would be easier to get a flat bottom and smoother more accurate bore in either end with a lathe, which means I would need a lathe and a 4 axis mill both.
I havent priced these machines, I would guess $100-150k
Ill have to look into it.

Geof
05-26-2009, 11:56 PM
What are your tolerances? 0.625" is a standard size for bar stock so why do you need to turn it down. The finish and accuracy on a bore from a milling machine is comparable to a lathe.

Depending on the orientation of your cross holes and slots, with the correct fixturing you may be able to complete the parts in one operation on a mill.

houdini
05-27-2009, 09:09 PM
The .625 part must fit into a machines bore, I am hoping to keep the maximum tolerance between the part and the bore to .0005, .0001 at most, Bar stock could only be used if I ordered precision ground stock. It will be plated with a Nickel/Teflon coating also.
In what way are you machining a bore thats tolerances are equal to a lathe.
A boring head trying to stay with in 10ths in out of the question, especially with wear, pocketing with a end mill is far from round, unless I had a 5 axis machine with its rotary axis, haven't used one but assume its as accurate as a lathe.

It couldn't be done in 1 op because there is a bore at both ends of the .625 bar, and the passages are all over, at most a over length piece of .625 precision ground under .0005 tolerance could be mounted in a 5 axis machine milled, drilled, bored(end mill w/ 5axis rotary)but then would have to be taken out and put in backwards to do the other bore.

Any other ideas, other than this. This is a tight tolerance medical device.

I have only used CNC Milltronics 3 axis mills and Mori, Daewoo 2 axis lathes.

BTW that Stama machine is $450,000.00 US. OUCH!, ok back to reality.

PixMan
05-28-2009, 03:49 PM
All you need for the part you describe is a good 20mm CNC screw machine with live tools. Well within your budget.

My recommendation: Star SR20 RIII

And no, I don't sell Star machines, or even work in a shop that uses them. However, I have used one of those machines, and it is the slickest thing since cat dung.