Has anyone made an automatic tool post?

[chola]

Hi All,

I am interested in making an automatic tool post for my mini lathe, wondering if anyone has done this yet, and how you went about it.

My basic plan is to use one of the spare axis's (z for example) from my cnc setup to control the stepper to rotate to the required tool. What I can't figure out as yet is the best method of mounting the motor and how to make the assembly rotate, then lock into place (maybe use a solenoid to push locking pins into place???).

Thanks in advance.

[Al_The_Man]

Yes there is I believe a post in one of these forums that shows the construction of a stepper, pneumatically operated tool changer.
Al.

[chola]

Yes, found that one (I think anyway), but it is for a milling machine, very cool though I must admit, but not a lot that can be applied to one for a lathe.

[Geof]

Try this thread.


http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...e+tool+changer

[Al_The_Man]

Thats the one http://www.issintl-inc.com/latheturret/
Al.

[Trapper14]

wow finally got to see it in action, sooo cool

[Guldberg]

Did an iteration of that guys design. Here is what i came up with. Basicly i thought that it would work without the turret drive plate and if you have a lathe, why not give it a go a making a thread to hold the axel and the piston togehter

[NEATman]

Just a thought, but has anyone tried maning one of these spring loaded so that it would work with the air off, to make it fail safe? Or if it were spring loaded, actuate it with an electro-magnet during the tool change, and not need air at all.

Neatman

[Guldberg]

There is a link to a german guy who made one of these, the only problem i see is that the complexity increases and im really trying to keeping it simple. Anyway if the system isnt leaking i guess you could have quite a few toolchanges even with a miniture compressor

[Guldberg]

Maybe just adding some springs behind the piston would be enough to hold it in place. Only problem i see is to find a spring with enough force in the limited space provided

[Runner4404spd]

don't add 1 spring add alot of short stiff ones. the hard part i see is trying to find a solenoid strong enough to over come the springs and the friction from the pins, at a reasonable cost. thats why people use air pressure. its almost free and is fairly reliable. plus you get a lot of bang for you buck in cross sectional area. and if thats not enough you can design one of these with a tandem piston.

[Guldberg]

Personally i just think ill go with the air only just because its easiere, as far as i can calculate you'll have around 14kN holding force at 8bar which should be plenty i guess, then its just the matter of making sure it doesnt leak air