way covers

[cruizer67]

i was wondering if any one here has issues with the way covers on the y axis.. the one i have on my machine are the accordian style fabric ones.. after long runs i notice that they tend to get clogged with chips and then i hear crushing sounds as the table travels in Y.. just wondering if anyone had any thoughts..

thanks

Bernard

[BlueFin]

Yep, all the time. It is at it's worst when you are doing a lot of heavy cutting of aluminum .030 - .050 DOC with a single point fly cutter. The curly thick chips get all over in the cover and fill up the valleys of the bellows. I have had the way covers jump off the dove tail guides and it is not easy to put them back on. I have a shop vac handy and now during a long part run I will vacume all the chips out whenever the table extends out in either direction. You have to avoid the drill swarf as it will clog the vacume cleaner hose, but milling chips are easy to pick up.

[cruizer67]

as it stands now i use a wisk broom to sweep the way covers while the machine runs.. i made some covers for the table to help keep that clean .... i was just wondering what others did

[Willyb]

Hi Guys

I installed a plate at the rear of the Chip Guard that stops 90% of the Swarf from piling up on the rear Way Cover. The plate is adjustable so I can make it higher or lower depending on what I am machining. I also filled in the front slot of the Chip Guard which prevents Swarf from dropping down onto the front Way Cover.

If Swarf is allowed to build up between the folds of these covers, they will eventually fail. I find that the above modifications have improved clean up considerably as most of the Swarf stays in the Chip Guard and not all over the Stand. Of coarse this depends on what type of machining you are performing.

Willy

[Freddy Bastard]

photos please...

[cruizer67]

yes photos please...

[BobWarfield]

Willy, sounds like a good idea. Can't wait to see a photo or two.

BW

[Willyb]

Hi Freddy, cruizer67 & Bob

Yes I am very happy with the modifications to my Chip Guard. It sure makes clean up allot easier only having to vacuum out the Chip Guard instead of the complete Stand. If you are doing a big job and removing lots of material, I would recommend stopping part way through to prevent the Swarf from building up to much. It's still better than jamming up your Way Covers and possibly damaging them.

I will try and take some pictures tonight.

Willy

[cruizer67]

i use solidworks at work and have a copy here at home.. I've been working on a design that has a chip conveyor attached to it.. making a complete stand to be just like i would want it.. I seen the mods that TT350 did to his machine and am very impressed with that. I know that the footprint of my machine will be a little bigger than most considering i would like to have a conveyor but it would make clean up a breeeze.. i will make the files available as a package those that want it.. for free of course.. I may start a seperate thread.. then let everyone have some input..

[Willyb]

Hi Guys

Here are the pictures of the Modifications I did to my Chip Guard. First one is with the rear plate all the way down. Second it is half way up. And the thrid it is all the way up. You have to be careful when the plate is up that you have enough room between the bottom of the Spindle Housing and the top of the rear plate. Also notice the front gap has been filled in to prevent Swarf from piling up on the front Y Axis Way Cover.

Willy

[zephyr9900]

Willy, thanks for the pictures. I like your table shield mods.

Did you make your own chip trays? I notice the rivets on yours, and my factory trays are nothing like that--just welded at the corners and bolt together on the centerline of the stand.

Best regards,

Randy

[SarcasmOMatic]

cruizer67, are you planning on building out a stand like that used in the Haas Mini VMC (http://www.haascnc.com/details_VMC_N...VMCTreeModel)? I am sure there is probably a market for a stand add-on like that for the Tormach -- I know I would like one. Doesn't even need a conveyor and whatnot, totally enclosed with better build quality than the Tormach Deluxe stand and provisions to mount the electronics cabinet outside would be my basic wish list.