Benchtop CNC lathe from scratch (Lots of pics warning)

[JH-Q]

Hello, i have began building my own little cnc lathe about few months ago. This far i have made few parts for the tool changer and gathered some hardware from ebay. When finished, this lathe will have the following specs (which may change)

Movements (X+Z): 100mm (200mm dia) and 300-400mm
Spindle motor: 2½hp 130VDC (probably)
Feed motors: 2.2Nm with suitable belt drive.
Tool turret: electro-pneumatic fully automatic 8-station.
Coolant: 10l/min USA made diaphragm pump with 10l tank
Weight: 150-250kg (cast iron frame)

3D-rendering of the lathe (to be changed to different)


Pile of parts for toolchanger.


Main shaft for toolchanger.


Z-axis rails. THK HSR 25 and 640mm long.


Tool holder.




Spring holders for toolchanger.


Coolant stuff.


Stepper motors for X+Z axis and toolchanger.


Aluminium plate for toolchanger frame. The block in the right is an exercise done at school with a VMC.


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[GaryCorlew]

This is awsome, I will be watching this thread!!

[txcowdog]

The 3D rendering is excellent. I love the concept as presented.

[JH-Q]

Just one more thing to add, i fount the plans for the tool changer at a german website where they are avaitable for download: http://www.cnc-projects.de/

[Switcher]

JH-Q,

Looks like a great plan!

What did you do that 3-D model with (software)?

The more pics, the better!




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[Switcher]

Thanks for that link, I had that on my old PC, but lost it !


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[JH-Q]

I do my 3D designing with solidworks 2005, which is really excellent engineering program.

[JH-Q]

Here is the new design, it is quite a bit smaller and much easier to build.



Here you can see the stiffeners in the bottom of the lathe frame. The frame will be made of 20mm (3/4") steel welded together and then machined.

[snowshovelbmx]

looks to be an excellent design, very good drawing. I do see however that you lose the tailstock, which will not be a problem with small parts obviously but judging by your drawings and design Im sure you have every idea about lathes and the design you need I just wanted to say get to work! I want to see how this goes!!! I'm interested in a lathe build after I complete my mill. hahaha thanks for the thread!
chris.

[Trapper14]

Very impressive renderings, the first one seems more akin to the industrial lathes, but understandably; isn't as practical as your second approach, which I applaud. I will be following this post very closely. I began modeling that tool changer in Solidworks 05, but noticed there were some dimensions missing. Did you run into this problem, or did you supplement the missing dimensions with your own? Keep up the nice work!

Sean

[lerman]

you might consider using gang tooling instead of a tool turret. Google "omniturn" for an example of this type of system.

I'm considering adding an attachment to my small lathe to accomplish that.

Also, I suggest that you consider how you are going to protect the guides from chips.

Ken

[JH-Q]

I began consireding of gang tooling after i had made quite a lot parts for the toolchanger and bought "short" X-axis ballscrew with 120mm of travel. So i will build this with the revolver-type toolchanger. If it is not the best tooling system, at least it is good for lots of learning. As for the way covers i am thinking of stainless sheet metal covers with some kind of wipers as in industrial machines.

[Switcher]

What size steppers ( http://www.loisteputki.liitin.net/TLP/askelmosat.jpg ), & any links for them?


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[JH-Q]

220Ncm http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/en-gb/dept_144.html

[JH-Q]

Test fitting of X-axis stepper motor and ballscrew.

[johan_tr2000]

Hi JH-Q,

What a wanderfull design you have done!
Can you please post more pucture?

BTW, I have D/L the tool changer file from the German site. I can not open the file (the big .SAT files) with solidwork 2006, but It is OK when I open with autocad 2006. Do you have the same problem? Any help?

TR2000

[JH-Q]

i don't remember what i did for the cad files to make them work but i can remember solidworks recognized them and converted then automatically.

Anyway, here is a pillow block for X-axis ballscrew.

[JH-Q]

I fount a nice enclosure for electric stuff from the scrap container at school (540x800x200mm). Also bought a 15" monitor cheaply from a friend.



Ballnut carrier almost finished, so a time for a testfit.

[jkeyser14]

Nice project, looking forward to seeing the rest.

What are you doing for your spindle? Ball bearings? Plain bearings? Load ratings and speeds?

I've been wanting to make my own lathe, just haven't had a chance to think things through yet.

[jfc11]

The lathe design looks great....