cutting splines??

[inthedark]

Can internal splines be done cheaply and effectively, without spending thousands of dollars on a piece of equipment?

Do any of you know the poor mans way of cutting internal splines?

Thanks,
Kenny

[duluthboat]

Some of the high end casting methods will do good internal splines, they can be hammer forged, burned in with EDM, or if it is a thru hole cut with a broach, but none are inexpensive equipment wise.

Gary

[inthedark]

So I would better off just to outsource my spline cutting, if I don't have a lot of it to get done?

Thanks

[HuFlungDung]

You can purchase a slotting attachment for a milling machine. This would not cost you thousands, may one thousand (plus the mill itself, of course)

[machiner11]

Hi,

As far as splines go. If you have access to a hydraulic or mechanical press, see if you can get a standard broach with your spline configuation on it. Then you simply drill the reccomended hole and push the broach through.

Chances are it won't be that easy. Splines have many shapes and tolerances that need to be held in order to function correctly. There are shops that specialize at this and it would be best for you to have them broach your parts. That way the shape is correct and the spline is perpendicular to you workpiece. Also, if they scrap the piece, they have to remake it or pay for it. If you scrap it, you need to pay for it.

[ballendo]

Originally posted by inthedark Can internal splines be done cheaply and effectively, without spending thousands of dollars on a piece of equipment? Do any of you know the poor mans way of cutting internal splines? Thanks, Kenny

Hello,

Kinda tough to answer without knowing what equipment/experience yo have already...

You can do 'em on a drill press, you can do 'em with a lathe; using both as "shapers". Using a lathe as a shaper is probably the most "typical" poor mans approach... But we need more info to really help.

What diameter is the hole, what's the length of the spline/part, how many splines; and how many parts overall do you need to do?

Ballendo

P.S. Do you already have access to a cnc machine? What type? (It may be useful to make jigs to set up your work...)

[inthedark]

OK, thanks for all the input.

I run a Bridgeport Series II CNC, running a Fanuc 6 controller with a Kennametal Quick change spindle, NMTB #30.

I don't have a press currently, but have a lead on a few.

Thanks again,

[steele]

Kenny-
Since you're so gung-ho on 5-axis I'll let you know there are ways to mill small internal features such as splines in a workpiece with the proper cutter and a 5-axis machine. You can't go too deep though, half a diameter is easy, one diameter is real tough. You can also do it on a 3-axis CNC with an angle plate and an indexer or on a Bridgeport with an indexer.
Jim
www.picopascal.com

[inthedark]

5 Axis huh? I have enough issues dealing with 3.

Thanks for the help,

I will look into these options. Nice website Steele, looks great, makes me want to work on mine a bit.

Kenny

[GEARBUD]

hey Inthedark
I allways wondered how bad it would be to use the Z axis of a VMC to shape something.
If you have a rotory table and a way to lock the spindle,Why couldn't you use a looping program to shape a spline with a reciprocating Z. the program could slowly advance to the desired depth.
I suppose you could smoke some components in the Z axis but what the hell!
My Bridgeport with its shaper head has been quite good at cutting internal splines. this last year we bought a proper dividing table and that helped the quality.
Peace, Gearbud

[inthedark]

Unfortunately I don't have a rotory table. It's on my list of things to aquire. Along with many other goodies.

Thanks for the help,

[Syncrude]

%
O0070(SLOTTER)
(EDIT #1 AND #2 FOR SLOT DIA.)
(EDIT Z VALUES FOR LENGTH)
#1=-.130(SLOT MIN.)
#2=.015(SLOT MAX.)
#3=#1(INTIAL VALUE STORED)
G20
G0G17G40G49G80G90
M6T19
G55
G0X0.0Y#1
G0G90X0.0Y#1
M41
M19
G0H19Z1.0(Z CLEARANCE)
M00
WHILE[#1LE#2]DO1
G0Y#1
#1=#1-.01(X CLEARANCE)
Y#1
G0Z0.2(TOP OF STROKE)
#1=#1+.012(X INFEED + CLEARANCE)
G0Y#1
G01Z-1.5F20.0(BOT. OF STROKE)
END1
M00
G0X0.0Y#3
M9
M5
G91G28Z0.
G28X0.Y0.A0.
G54X0.Y10.0(LOAD POSITION)
M30
%