CNC Lathe Auto Tool Post

[Bob La Londe]

How would you approach an auto tool post for a CNC lathe conversion. I think I am leaning more towards a quick change, and just creating each tool operation as a seperate job, but the idea of loading up two or three tools and running a job start to finish is intriguing. I've looked at several comemrcial automatic tool posts, and I think I can make one, but I don't think it would be easy.

[A1CNC]

Gang tooling is way faster than a tool turret.

Look at how Omniturns are set-up.

[Bob La Londe]

Like this? It sure is easy to setup the basic machine that way. It wouldn't be ideal for long parts, but for short parts wow? Easy to build. Setting up each tool and tool offset might be a little harder, but still.

"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arQ71gPHxec"]Omniturn W/ FAGOR 8025 CNC Control - YouTube

I was thinking more along the lines of facing, making a size pass, shaping, threading, and cutting off a longer part, but that the gang tooling across the compound in that video certainly would be efficent for some types of jobs. Almost like doing it on a mill where you lock your stock in the spindle and clamp all your tools to the table.

[rowbare]

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/mini_l...ver_plans.html

There is a link to plans for a lathe turret see post 12.

bob