spindle ????

[axkiker]

Hey all help me out.. Im looking to build a CNC fixed gantry milling machine. Will primarly be used for milling alluminum.

Im not looking to retrofit a knee mill as I want more work area than they can provide, plus its a challenge.

Im looking for a spindle that will run 10k rpms and take 3+ hp all while milling alluminum.

People keep telling me to look at the sieg and shurline spindles but they just dont look robust enough. Maybe im wrong?

Any thoughts... Looks like there are always the sieg and shurline cartridge spindles as well as the chinese 3kw units on ebay.

Would like to find something more ridgid and robust.

Any thoughts.

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

Do you have the capability to build your own spindle or have it built to your spec's?

Dick Z

[jsheerin]

If you want to mill aluminum at 10k rpm over a bigger work envelope than a knee mill, you probably want something heftier than a hobby mill unless you're planning on taking very light cuts. I'm designing something similar at the moment - link in my signature. You could look for a used milling spindle on ebay. I recently bought one from a Haas VF3 for $400 or so for my mill. This is a bit bigger than what you're asking about - it will handle 20HP, run up to 7500rpm, weighs about 75 pounds and uses 40 taper tooling. This will be mounted in a big steel z axis and have a 5.5kW motor driving it in my app. You might check out this ad for some other possibilities:
Cat 50 Spindle with Power Draw bar - CNCzone.com-Classifieds Buy and Selling

[axkiker]

Originally Posted by jsheerin If you want to mill aluminum at 10k rpm over a bigger work envelope than a knee mill, you probably want something heftier than a hobby mill unless you're planning on taking very light cuts. I'm designing something similar at the moment - link in my signature. You could look for a used milling spindle on ebay. I recently bought one from a Haas VF3 for $400 or so for my mill. This is a bit bigger than what you're asking about - it will handle 20HP, run up to 7500rpm, weighs about 75 pounds and uses 40 taper tooling. This will be mounted in a big steel z axis and have a 5.5kW motor driving it in my app. You might check out this ad for some other possibilities: Cat 50 Spindle with Power Draw bar - CNCzone.com-Classifieds Buy and Selling

Yep you are right inline with what I want. If I could find something which would take roughly 10hp at 7500+ rpms it would be right on the money for me.

This is kinda a project that I have dreamed up. Im trying to see if I can build something ridged enough to be capable of some descent cuts at a descent speed. I dont expect to duplicate a HAAS but I intend to make this much faster and heaver duty than the typical router configs you see. I figure that If I can make enough of the frame out of steel I beams I should be able to come up with something...

Anyways its a project.

[axkiker]

Originally Posted by RICHARD ZASTROW Do you have the capability to build your own spindle or have it built to your spec's? Dick Z

Maybe..... I do have a knee mill and a lathe... I have thought about and is something that I may want to undertake one day. However after reading through some of the posts about home made spindles I wonder if its worth it. With all the fuss over matched bearings etc it may be better to buy already complete...

It does sound like a fun project as well

[axkiker]

I got to searching on ebay and ran across this.

HAAS SPINDLE - eBay (item 360265877105 end time Dec-20-10 13:51:37 PST)

A little more $$ than I want to spend but not too far off.

[jsheerin]

Bigger one for less money:
Cincinnati T-10 Machining Center SPINDLE 63100137-R51 - eBay (item 140473526940 end time Dec-02-10 09:41:07 PST)

The Haas is what I have but I paid 1/3 the price so if it has problems I won't feel as bad about it.

[axkiker]

Originally Posted by jsheerin Bigger one for less money: Cincinnati T-10 Machining Center SPINDLE 63100137-R51 - eBay (item 140473526940 end time Dec-02-10 09:41:07 PST) The Haas is what I have but I paid 1/3 the price so if it has problems I won't feel as bad about it.

Whewwww... 140lbs!!! thats a heavy duty spindle...

[jsheerin]

My big one is 380lbs, but it also has more cast iron attached to it... It's not just a cartridge like the linked one.

[axkiker]

Originally Posted by jsheerin My big one is 380lbs, but it also has more cast iron attached to it... It's not just a cartridge like the linked one.

Yeah you are building something much heavier than what I am...

I have been following some of your threads and have gotten some ideas based on what I have seen. One question I have is do you have a way of adjusting the spindle position of your machine. It looks like you are going with a fixed gantry so how will you adjust. I guess it would be considered tramming the head if it were a standard knee mill.

Thats one of the big problems I am having trouble coming up with a good fix for

[jsheerin]

It would basically be aligned during assembly and then never adjusted. I could be wrong, but typically you tram a bridgeport type mill because it can get out of adjustment. The head and ram can move in several directions. However this mill would be designed not to move. However I suppose some adjustment would be possible via shimming linear rails, under the gantry, etc.

[axkiker]

Originally Posted by jsheerin It would basically be aligned during assembly and then never adjusted. I could be wrong, but typically you tram a bridgeport type mill because it can get out of adjustment. The head and ram can move in several directions. However this mill would be designed not to move. However I suppose some adjustment would be possible via shimming linear rails, under the gantry, etc.

Yea I see what you mean about the bridgeport etc however I just wasnt sure I could build anything in perfect alignment... Thats why I thought I may need adjustment...