Mini Lathe Tooling plate

[JFettig]

Hey guys, I just finished my mini lathe tooling plate, I made it so it has huge capacity and two tool posts that accept up to 1/2" and up to 3/8" tool bits.

I will be running turbocnc, will I be able to change tool offsets on the fly? On the big lathes at work that have a similar configuration, we just call them all the same tool with different offsets, its like this: M6 T1 2 or smething similar, I dont remember as it is conversational code.
If I cant change offsets, I would have to measure between tools and that would flat out suck for programing and changing the tools etc.

I havent gotten it hooked up to a computer yet, I am waiting for my spindle encoder and breakout board from cnc4pc. I have previously had the lathe running with big nema34 motors from my mill.

Jon

[RotarySMP]

Nice work Jon. This is a very similar configuration to Dave K (the author of TurboCNC).

Yes TurboCNC does tool offsets. Same code - M06 T01. You will need to have a line before to get you clear of the work (say G00 X60 Z20) as TuboCNC won't automatically go to a defined tool change location.

You will want to use V4, as it has separate offset registers for tools and part offsets. The description of how to set up your tooling file is on Page 17 of the V4 Manual.

[JFettig]

thanks,
I was just thinking, I could use a fixture offset, the reason being is that its going to stop for a M6, Thats mainly what Im conserned about, I wanna see this thing fly through the part from start to finish, through all the tools that I have on there.

Jon

[WayneHill]

Can you change fixture offset values programmatically during the program run?
I know it can be done with Fanuc controls. I've done it. See bottom of web page.

http://www.programmingunlimited.com/fMacA.htm

You could also setup your tooling plate for gang tooling.

http://www.gangturn.com/omni_page.htm

[JFettig]

WayneHill, Its just like changing fixtures on a mill, it uses basicly the same software, or exactly, It is in turbocnc. If I was to change over to Mach2 Im sure they have some sort of change tools on the fly type of a thing.

Thats a lot of tools in such a small spot, I doubt I'll ever need more than 3 tools. am thinking about making a chuck adapter to stick onto the back tool post spot like I made for my quick change tool post, or even just use that one.

Jon

[RotarySMP]

I was just setting up to make some ER-16 tool holders on my lathe. I'm using a Phase II QCTP and four tools for this job. TurboCNC is great for this stuff.

On a mill, if you have a tool length sensor, you can have TurboCNC touch off within a program and set your offset on the fly. Can't see this really working on the lathe though with two dimensional offsets.

Wayne, that ganged tooling looks sweet for a production environment. How do you do height adjustment? I mostly do one offs on my hobby lathe, so the Phase II is fine.

[JFettig]

Do you actually get good repeatability with the qctp?
also, instead of using a length sensor, I have fixed tooling and touch off all my tools before I run the program.

Jon

[ViperTX]

JFettig,
Nice...I noticed that you have a 4 post and a QCTP...any story behind that?

[JFettig]

the story is that i can set offsets for both tools, and go from tool to tool without changing anything and have repeatability.
I use the 4 post because I have it, its the origional tool post, you can use whatever size tool that fits in there because its upside down and the tool height is on the bottom side.

I just made a new handle for the x axis(dont have the electronics for the cnc done yet) and I can use it to its fullest travel, like I can either use it for parting and front one for turning, or use it to turn down the end like I have it set for now and the other one for turning or whatever I feel fit for it.
We do this often at work, but with up to 3 tool posts, you just have to make sure the tools clear the part when changing.

Jon

[RotarySMP]

The repeatablity of the Phase II wedge type AXA is fantastic. By far the most rigid and repeatable part of my Mini-lathe conversion.

[JFettig]

ooh, it sthe wedge type, I believe that would be a little more acurate, I know from my experiences the piston type doesnt have a very good repeatability. One thing that can mess with repeatability is if the height changes, thats one thing to watch out for.

Jon

[RotarySMP]

I bought this QCTP during a business trip to the states, and but the time I'd gone through the rigmaroll of ordering it, getting it at a hotel, and then dragging it back to europe, I wasn't going to muck around saving 30 bucks for the piston type. From all I have read, the wedge type a rock solid, and the piston type are a bit dodgy.

I have mostly made one off parts so far, so repeatablity has not been tested under fire. The QCTP really is the most rigid part of of my set up though.

How are you doing tool height setting? Since I only have 5 tool holders, I find I'm still canging bits regularly, and mostly take test cuts to adjust to the center height. I tried measuring and setting center height with calipers, but couldn't get it very accurately. Really need to take the time to make a tool setting fixture, but haven't thought one through yet.