Newset Tormach AF50 is here

[R.DesJardin]

Just got my AF50, #Beta1. I'll be setting it up this weekend and posting up my use. Can't wait.

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[R.DesJardin]

Got it setup, ran a 12' stick though it cutting 4" parts. All is working good. This next week I'll get some serious run time with it. So nice to set it and forget it and have a box of material blanks when it shuts off.

[MichaelHenry]

Cool - are you planning on taking any video?

[R.DesJardin]

Cool - are you planning on taking any video?

Yes, been sick all week. Hopefully this weekend I can have time to do some video. I have a bunch of material to cut.

[MichaelHenry]

Yes, been sick all week. Hopefully this weekend I can have time to do some video. I have a bunch of material to cut.

That would be great, but take care of your health first!

[R.DesJardin]

Feed system video

[MichaelHenry]

Thanks - looking forward to more updates as you put it through it's paces.

[wildwhl]

Subscribing to follow along, as well as ask a question.

How is the length of cut set?

Thanks,

WW

[R.DesJardin]

Subscribing to follow along, as well as ask a question.

How is the length of cut set?

Thanks,

WW

Quick nut on threaded rod. Quick and simple. There is a scale for reference.

[gunrunnerx]

Dimensions?

[wildwhl]

Thank you. What is the Stroke x1 x2 etc. setting for?

WW

[R.DesJardin]

Thank you. What is the Stroke x1 x2 etc. setting for?

WW

It lets you cut parts longer than the single feed stroke travel. So a 24" part could be cut in 3x feeds of 8". Works great.

[R.DesJardin]

Food for thought. I do a lot of fabrication in my shop, welding assemblies, custom builds. I have found I use automatic feed for even 1 or 2 parts. The scale is that accurate, no tape measure needed.

[SCzEngrgGroup]

The screws used by Tormach have a spec of <=0.0005" backlash. That is as good as you get without spending far more money on the screws than the machine is worth. Realistically, that, along with the other error sources inherent in any machine in this class, means your best-case average error will be no better than +/-0.001". That is simply reality. Add in poor gib adjustment, poor lubrication, less-than-optimal toolpaths and machining strategies, and your actual results can be much worse.

The chances of the ballscrew itself being responsible for 0.0045" backlash are slim and none. In all the years I've been messing with CNC machines, I have never seen a ballscrew with that much wear. If it did happen, simply turning the screw by hand would tell you in a heartbeat what the problem was. I can all but guarantee the OP is barking up the wrong tree entirely, and replacing the screw will be a complete waste of time and money.

Here is a simple test to prove my point: Lock the saddle in a fixed position, by cranking down on the gib adjusting screw so the saddle CANNOT be moved at all. Now see how far the Y ballscrew can be rotated by hand. If the ballscrew is the source of the problem, you'll be able to turn it quite a bit - at least aboutt 8 degrees. I would be willing to bet you can barely turn it at all - no more than 2 degrees. Once you've done that, you can start looking for the REAL problem...

Regards,
Ray L.

[CL_MotoTech]

I think you replied to the wrong post, Ray.

[starvinmarvin]

Any updates now that it is available? Do you still have it and like it?

[Zetopan]

Ray: The ball screw support bearing backlash *ALSO* needs to be minimized without overloading the bearings. Excessive backlash could simply be due to too much end slop that is trivially fixed with a pair of spanners.

[R.DesJardin]

Any updates now that it is available? Do you still have it and like it?

Yes I still have it, I still like it, I use it almost every day, I would buy one if I didn't have one. It still works as good as it did a year ago.

[starvinmarvin]

Thanks for the update. Other than you I haven't found anyone else talking about having one. Have you made any modifications or wish to?

[R.DesJardin]

Thanks for the update. Other than you I haven't found anyone else talking about having one. Have you made any modifications or wish to?

I think the minor things I did or commented on are on the production saw. I hope this is why I get chosen for the Beta programs because I comment, promote and bring attention to their products. I have been part of Beta testing the PDB, ATC, 15L, 440 and AF50.