Automatic Drawbar Help

[Barry_ward]

I just recieved my new (old) Shizuoka Mill with tool changer. There is no drawbar tightner but there is what looks to be a socket for a 1/2" square drive. There is a small air cylinder perpendicular to the spindle at the tightner location but I have not looked at what it does yet.

Does anybody know what was up there?

Does anybody have something that might work for sale or trade? (preferabily low profile) Or a suggestion on how I can roll my own?

I'm building all new controls so it does not have to be OEM.

BTW the mill is Japanese but was CNC converted by AeroTech in about 1980.

Thanks !


Barry

[Chivo]

THEY CAN HELP YOU.

http://www.transconn.com/

[StealthDumpKits]

Does the machine use a threaded drawbar, or a fingers and pull stud type? Use a mirror or just look up inside the spindle taper. If it's threaded, then the part you're missing would be an air powered impact wrench motor.

[Barry_ward]

It's cat 40 but I have not yet had the machine in a position where I can look into the socket. (It's not at the house yet - it's about 50 miles away)

There is something in the end (where the pull knob would seat) that I can feel. The (splined) part that runs through the center of the spindle is about 5/8 dia and has spline that extends out of the top of the spindle drive spline (coaxial splines) Since it's a spline the drawing assembly must spin to pull tight.

On the top is a plate and bearing assembly that has the small air cylinder. There is a "coupling" there - female spline on the bottom, female square on the top.

Question - Do 40 taper holders ever use a threaded drawbar instaed of a knob???

[HuFlungDung]

It looks like there is a bracket up top with nothing in it. My guess is what should be in there is an impact wrench, either electric, or air operated. That clamp collar would grab the nose housing of the impact wrench. This is similar to what I have on my old Shizouka with Bandit and Quickdraw toolchanger.

The short stroke air cylinder should pull the impact wrench down onto the spline. This is still common for pneumatic drawbars that you might retro onto any knee mill.

Yours also might have an electric rpm changer up there. I junked that when I went to a VFD drive.

[Barry_ward]

Here's the top housing with the square that I was talking about. To the left is the spindle drive and pulley. Use your imaginination to visualize the lead screw that adjusts the pulley. The top of the lead screw goes through the housing on the right.

[cbucner]

Here's what I had on my mill
A 1/2 electric impact wrench.
You can see it on the picture on the table.
Hope that helps

[Barry_ward]

Thanks !

Yesterday I found a photo of a Shiz with a Dewalt stuck up there. It looks like the 1/2" dewalt will almost bolt-in as is; maybe cut the front collar down a bit to make it a parallel cylinder.

One mystery down.

The mill goes in the garage tomorrow AM. Wish me luck !

Photos of it so far are on http://www.barryfish.com/cnc4

Barry

[snakebit95]

Well......how did it go? Did you get it in your garage? That is one HUGE piece of iron!! What was the machine height after you stripped all the stuff off the top? I have been looking at one of these machines for a while, contemplating if I can get it under a 7' door header - LOL.

[Barry_ward]

Take a look on my website http://www.barryfish.com

The whole story is there except for what a nice machine it is. The only thing that I want to change is the spindle drive which I want to change to DC servo.

regards,

Barry

[snakebit95]

Thanks!! Very nice website!!