ATC

[ihbuilder]

I got my cgi coversion running strong now but after running a 100 + parts I'm sick of stopping on the (manual ) lathe every 5 min to change a tool , getting old quick Is there a place to find 1 off a used machine thats being parted out ? I could make my own or retrofit 1 from another , good idea or bad Or just put up with it a little longer till I save the $ for a new 1 from MM ? I keep googling with no luck I'm thinking the 3rd is the obvious way , but thought I'd ask

Steve

[sportybob]

Hi Steve, CGI machines were built for a specific task. That was destructive inspections of parts. They used a 8" fly cutter and shaved a few thosands off the part and then a laser scanner came over the top of the part and scand the part.

Orginally the machines did not have a working Y axis, It was "hard bolted in place and the drawbar was a manual tighted drawrod like in manual knee mils.
This was beacuse they were ment for one job only.

Later machines started having a usable Y axis and power drawbars. I guess CGI figured that other types of parts could be done and other companies could use their technology. But still machines would run for hours scanning one part. Tool changers were not needed.

it is possible (with a lot of work) to add a tool changer. The type of tool changer needed would depend on the age of the machine, ie: the type of coloum the machine has. older CGI machine sould be retrofitted with a 12 pocket and later machines with a 20 pocket carosel type tool changer.

There are of course machine tool retrofitters that can make other tool changers work. It all depends on how much you are willing to spend.

If you can get me the serial # of the machine and a picture or two of the left side of the coloum I can get you more accurate information.

Sportybob

[ihbuilder]

Sportybob , S/N 5647 1999 I'll have to get a pic in the morning . my manuel shows a 20 pocket . before I bought this I was in contact with MM And they went over the y axis senario . From looking at my wire diagram and electrics , It appears that everything is in place in the mag box ( I'll have to doble check ) . I'm looking at my manual , and it does not look hard to fabricat the mechanicals I just need some specs on the geneva motor . I'm just trying to look at all my options

Steve

[LYN BYRD]

If the spindle will orient, you can make a quick "pick and place" type toolchanger that will hold probably 6 or 8 tools. Just make a rack that bolts onto the table on one end and program the mill to drop off the current tool and pick up the next tool.