Off goes the table!

[zoeper]

Hi,
I need to have the size of a knee mill reduced for shipping.

Strategy:
tilt head 90degrees anticlockwise(around y azis)
swivel ram by 180 degrees clockwise so the head ends up sitting behind the control.
remove the table, x ballscrew and motor.
By doing this the size of the machine can be reduced to 1.1M x 1.5 M x 1.8 m high (3.135 m^3 instead of 8 m^3)

This all sounds simple, the only problem is the 10 000 Km between me and the machine.

Can anyone here sugest a step by step procedure for removing the table and related hardware?
Alternatively if you happen to know anyone near London (Bordon) who might be interested in taking on the job, i would be most gratefull.

Thanx
Pieter

[NC Cams]

If you do NOT remove the spindle, you really need to support in so that it does not vibrate/shake/see too many G's when it is roughly handled by the stevedores.

If you can't block the spindle, remove it. Far better to do that than risk damage to it or the casting/housing due to rough handling.

If it is a Bridgeport, you have to unhook the lead screws/ball screws. Once once you unbolt the yoke, you can slip off the table. It is NOT light nor easy to do either. Do the Y axis first on disassembly first and last at reassembly.

Some OEM manuals do show shipping instructions. Check there first.

[zoeper]

Do you mean the whole head of the machine, including motor must be removed or supported? I was thinking of removing the table only while leaving the saddle in tact. Lowering the knee onto a block of wood for support and propping up the head with some timber. Does this sound fair?

[NC Cams]

Yes.

We tried supporting the head between table and nose of spindle with timber and after 90 mile trip, it was gone and the head subject to shake - and it was professionally moved.

Fortunately, nothing broke.

Oh, and we followed Bridgeport's shipping/lifting instructions too.

[zoeper]

How does Bridgeport pack for shiping??