CNC lathe, but not quite!

[Glenn Deneweth]

Ok, I'm going to try and explain this as best as I can. This is what I would like to build. I am starting to make Pool Cues, and I want to build a machine that will cut the shaft tapers out. Currently most cue makers use a metal lathe with a taper bar on it, they disengage the cross slide and the taper is created using this method. They use a laminate router to cut the shafts. I would like to build a small lathe about 40" wide and I would like to attach a stepper motor to raise and lower the centers where the shaft wood is being held. Then I would like a stepper motor turning a feedscrew to move the laminate router from one end to the other. The computer should control the taper by raising the bed or lowering the bed. Since you can have many different tapers for different cues, you can see how this can be beneficial. This way you don't have to tie up the main lathe (or buy another one) just to cut shafts/butts. I have been a computer programmer for about 10 years and can program in just about any language. So I'm hoping my background will help me out. What I need is someone to suggest a good package I can purchase to do this, such as the controller/stepper motors. I intend on building my own software to kick out the G code to the controller. Please if you have further question just ask I'll be happy to answer them, and I appreciate everyones help.

Glenn

[NC Cams]

Check out AjaxCNC/Centroid.

They have lathe retrofit kits that should handle what you want to do. Their controller will ultimately control more than 2 axis (4 for a mill) which means you can get creative with the cross slide if you start to add axis.

Since they have preprogrammed code, it makes things a lot easier to get up and running.

There are also Mach 3 systems and others listed on the 'zone that cater to the DIY market - they involve a bit more self engineering but will also do the job if you are mechanically and computer literate.

I only mention Ajax/Centroid as it is a turn key system DIY/commercial system that should get you going quickly and easily. Ajax is the DIY version of a true industrial lathe/mill controller made by Centriod.

[Karl_T]

I'd take a serious look at Camsoft. Its strength is in custom CNC control. They have a real low cost package for custom machine control. There's a fellow, murphy625, that's used this package a lot. I have used their high end Camsoft Pro a great deal and love it.

The heart of Camsoft is the Galil controller on a PCI card. If you're really into programming, you could just use this without the Camsoft host interface.

Karl

[Glenn Deneweth]

Do you have a website for Camsoft, when I do a search I get LOTS of results, seems everybody is named Camsoft.

Thanks,

Glenn

[Glenn Deneweth]

I found the website, seems way to pricey for me. I need something really simple. 2 Axis from what I can tell. Any more ideas? I see controllers and steppers motors on ebay pretty cheap, just not sure if that's what I need?

Thanks,

Glenn

[Glenn Deneweth]

http://www.hobbycnc.com/cncpackages/...g/4aupcpkg.htm

Will this work? It's definately within my budget.

[Switcher]

If your going to use the machine to only turn the diam. down, you could get by with 2 axis ("X-axis", "Z-axis", & a simple motor to turn the stock)

If you want to add inlay, you'll need 3 axis, ("X-axis", "Z-axis", "A-axis")

I know you said simple, You might want to go with a 4 axis setup, you never know what you might want to add on later. You may want to automate another task later on.

The last Controller box, I looked at was here:

http://www.cncdudez.com/

http://www.cncdudez.com/Controller.html


I don't know anything about this product, the work the guy did building the box looks great, to me! He also sells everthing in Kit form, to lower the cost.


I also found this,on the same site,

http://www.cncdudez.com/Development.html

You said you do programming, write code for his controller box, (it looks to be VB6).
You could change his software from the "Y-axis" to an "A-axis" (I guess)



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[turmite]

Glenn you really need to check out Mach3. First of all it is $150 and comes with free upgrades except in the case of Mach4 but the additional price there is for hardware. This software has the very best support system out. Take a look at the following link and you will see what I am talking about.

http://www.machsupport.com/ This link is like a clearinghouse for support with Mach. There is also a mach forum here on the zone with many of the same people helping here that helps on the other sites.

Now I have to question your design a bit. If you are going to cnc why power the tailstock center to get you tapers? You can easily and quickly program the taper in the code. One additional feature that Mach has to offer is that Brian Barker is writing conversational programs to be used within the mach3 software. It would be an easy thing for him to write an script that allows you to fill in the blanks for whatever taper you want. Check it out.

I am affilated with mach in that I am a very happy customer.

Mike

[Glenn Deneweth]

Originally Posted by turmite Glenn you really need to check out Mach3. First of all it is $150 and comes with free upgrades except in the case of Mach4 but the additional price there is for hardware. This software has the very best support system out. Take a look at the following link and you will see what I am talking about.

I'm really looking for the hardware right now, I am considering coding my own app to do the tapering.

Glenn

[turmite]

Glenn when you talk of coding your own app, are you referring to a step and direction controller to give timing signals to the drivers so they in turn can move the step or servo motors?

Mike

[Glenn Deneweth]

Originally Posted by turmite Glenn when you talk of coding your own app, are you referring to a step and direction controller to give timing signals to the drivers so they in turn can move the step or servo motors? Mike

Nope.... I'm not entirely sure how all this operates, I am jumping in with 2 feet that's for sure. But I was under the assumption that I could make an Application specific to my machine, and from that I could create the G Code automatically and send it to a controller. How far am I off base here?

Glenn

[Switcher]

From what I read in Post #1, It sounds like you already have a lathe. Why not just convert the lathe to CNC? Then you could rough out your stock & finish the stock all in one setup. You would probably put out parts quicker, & have a better finish. If you got real creative you could even automate sanding the part.

I think turmite, is right about using the Mach control. Sometimes reinventing things takes up time, that you could use producing things on your machine. You'll have to decide which is more inportant to you, writing a program that you can already buy ($150.00), or producing a higher dollar pool cue.

You should look around this site, you will probably find 99% of the info you need to build/retrofit a cnc machine. Also check out the photo section, you will be surprised how creative the members are.

I have no idea what your budget is, still your project is very doable.


I see this is your first post here on the Zone, Welcome

Look at the link below for an idea, this guy is a member here on the Zone:

http://www.cnczone.com/gallery/data/...n_P1010001.JPG


I know it's not what you want, but could help with ideas for your project . He also sells stuff on his website:
http://jfettigmachines.com





Links to Mach:
http://www.artofcnc.ca/UsingTurn.pdf

http://www.artofcnc.ca/index.html





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