Member postings for Michael Gilligan

Chris,

Just a couple of points:

1. Always check the specifications carefully ... especially with digital readouts ... resolution and accuracy are easily [and sometimes conveniently?] confused.

2. Strictly speaking; all Dial Test Indicators are intended as Indicators only ... the scale is convenient, but you are using it to confirm " Zero ". [hope that makes sense ... happy to explain in more detail if you want]

Yes, we all sometimes use them for direct measuring!

My recommendation would be to get the best one you can find, with a nice clear analog dial.

... it should last a lifetime.

MichaelG.

That's a very interesting variation on the theme, Mike.

... especially slitting he column instead of the body.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 31/08/2012 11:02:41

1910 version of the Patent referenced above.

... and as a further diversion; have a look at his designs for:

an Engraving and Die Sinking Machine  ... That's Nice !!

and a High Speed Spindle ... That's Cool

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 31/08/2012 09:19:54

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 31/08/2012 09:28:46

Slight diversion ... I just found this Patent from 1913 by F.D. Van Norman; which features what we tend to think of as a "Myford Tool Boat".

I think we can reasonably assume that he was "the" Norman.

I will investigate further.

MichaelG.

.

From this page, I quote: "In 1888, Mr. Charles E. and Fred D. Van Norman founded the Waltham Watch Tool Company, to manufacture tools for use in the Jewelry trade."

... "WW" being the standard for the "inverted vee" lathe bed, as used by Pultra and many others.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 31/08/2012 08:21:10

Andy,

That GJH lathe looks a little gem ... thanks for sharing the link.

Amazing what can be done when needs must:

If a Pultra isn't good enough, AND you have Rolls Royce crafstsmen.

MichaelG.

P.S.

I didn't know that the Toyo ML1 borrowed the design, either.

... Two interestng bits of info. to start the day ! Thanks.

For the avoidance of doubt:

In my posting of 29/08/2012 21:45:44 ... "machine-specific" was hyphenated.

I meant exactly what I wrote: " ... no particular interest in the machine-specific detailing. "

Mr Stringer's lathe was an admirable design in many ways, and my "attitude" to it has always been positive.

MichaelG.

As promised, earlier ...

For those who may be interested in understanding Stepper Motors:

This is a good place to start

And this is the definitive reference

MichaelG.

Out of a genuine desire to help others where I can!

... I played no bluff ... I simply made a suggestion.

MichaelG.

.

Sorry Alan ... I have enough "challenges" on my list already; and I thought we had decided that this had the makings of a collaborative project.

You say [above] ... "One thing that I`ve picked up on is your question where you ask, why do I want to be able to change the rate of feed when it is not in the Exactus design.

From this I imagine that you are perhaps not so experienced in lathework. The Exactus design does not allow a change of feed unless the feed ratchet gear is changed! I supposed that with the stepper motor this could be done whilst the feed is in operation."

.

Although not professionally trained, I do have plenty of experience in Lathework, thank you ... and I am perfectly aware that a range of feed rates is desirable. ... What I was trying to find out was whether this was on the "Must" list, or the "Nice to have" list. ... You are, after all, starting from a baseline of the Exactus design, but you stated: "I would expect that this rate of feed to be immediately adjustable to suit the type of material being machined."

I have offered a suggestion ... but will now hand it over to the forum

[quote] ... let`s see how you actually propose to carry out this design together with the switchgear and everything else to achieve the proposals that I have laid down without any jargon or acronyms and let`s see some sketches. Please accept this challenge ... [/quote]

Quite simply, Alan; I do not "propose to carry out this design < etc. >" ... I do not have an EW, and have no particular interest in the machine-specific detailing. ... so it's over to you chaps.

I genuinely wish you every success.

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 29/08/2012 21:51:37

David,

Sincere apologies for my slip of the digits.

I should have credited Norman [NJH]

MichaelG.

Dave,

Thanks for that thought:

It may well be true, although I cannot honestly see why it needs to be ... the cookies are stored separately on every machine that you use.

... I must try some controlled experiments.

Thanks again; much appreciated.

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 29/08/2012 17:53:40

Alan,

Please forgive me if I appear to be preaching … that is certainly not my intention, but I do have an important point to make:

You say: "… a twiddle of a knob will give a slower or faster feed as required."

Now, "twiddle of a knob" is a very Analog phrase, and I think we should be thinking exclusively Digital. … It is possible to mix the two, but it tends to be complicated and/or expensive.

The A3983, as implemented in the JAFmotion MicroStep, does everything that we NEED to emulate the Exactus Ratchet System [and more].

Straight out of the box, it offers:

• Drive Current of 1.2A per phase [which should be adequate]
• Switchable Forward/Reverse [whilst the system is running]
• Switchable Step-Mode [whilst the system is running]
• Step-Modes equivalent to 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 Gearing
• Virtually instantaneous Stop

The wiring is extremely simple and we do not need an additional computer to drive it.

Hope that makes sense

I will answer your other points in my next posting.

MichaelG.

Would some kind person that uses Safari PLEASE tell me how to make this forum "Remember me" ... I keep ticking the box but it still dumps me out at apparently random times.

Note: The behaviour seems to have changed since the black banner about cookies was removed.

Thanks in anticipation of my return to sanity.

MichaelG.

iMac / MacBook Pro / iPad

... same problem on all of them

Ramon,

If you prefer to hyperlink your text ...

First copy the URL to your clipboard

Select the word, then click the Hyperlink icon  [now affectionately known as the BubbleCar, thanks to David Littlewood]

Then just paste the URL into the box in the pop-up. < etc. >

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 29/08/2012 12:03:39

Alan [and everyone interested]

You have hit upon one very important point, that merits further discussion.

For the EW fine feed ... Do you want it "Independent" or "Synchronised" ?

The Exactus is Synchronised, as is any geared drive; but there have been several successful designs for Independent fine feeds.

MichaelG.

If we opt for Synchronised, it could eventually be developed into an "Electronic Leadscrew" for Screwcutting. ... But let's walk before we try running.

That's where we need some torque measurements, from various machines doing various jobs.

e.g. What torque needs to be applied to the leadscrew of an EW lathe, to take [say] a 0.02" deep cut in various materials at a feed rate of [say] 0.002" per rev of the workpiece.

Note: for those so inclined ... Metric approximations are welcome

Must go for now; I need to tidy the workshop.

MichaelG.

Ian,

Personally, I do prefer toothed belts [timing belts] for this sort of application, for peace-of-mind.

... also, they often only need to be very lightly tensioned.

There are very small versions available [look inside any modern flatbed scanner], and:

To a man with a Shaper, knocking out flangeless toothed pulleys would be a doddle.

Good to hear from you ... let's keep this going!

MichaelG.

Ian,

Have a look at Electrozone UK ... Their ESMC-02 driver is VERY clever

... It's only 750mA current, but might be just what you are looking for.

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 29/08/2012 09:46:20

Ian,

Whilst we are pondering ... Toothed belts are a very useful alternative to the in-line couplings.

We could have a flanged pulley on the drive module, and [appropriate ratio] plain pulleys on each machine. .... That's versatile.

MichaelG.