IMPETUS METALMASTER COMBINATION MACHINE

I do like it when manufacturers put their Patent numbers on machines.

MichaelG.

That should be in a museum, not a workshop.

Be that as it may; the people who insist on building "mini Mills" with round columns could learn a thing or two from the designer !!

MichaelG.

Goes some way to explaining why most of the old turners who were around when I was a lad had fingers and thumbs missing!

Bought one of there chinese multi lath/mill some years ago looked like a good idea at the time
no matter how much you tried to tighten the column you occasionally got whiplash. beware any mill with a round column if you are makeing as I was a 7.25g loco. Soon bought a Chester 626 and pushed the gadget to one side.
Yes it should be in a museum.

Bob.

Michael,

An excellent summary of multi-function machines in general.

Regarding your (3), I think the reason this concept keeps getting reinvented can be best identified as Greed.

The punters are greedy to get as much functionality as they can, in terms of (i) financial expenditure, and (ii) allocation of space. ... They want it to be possible.

The manufacturers are greedy to Sell a lot, whilst Providing only a little ... If I can persuade you that my multi-machine is three machines in one; then I can easily charge you for [say] two of them. <etc.>

MichaelG

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For those who may not have looked ...

Mr Urwick's Patent, although it uses the metalmaster as an example of implementation, really concerns the triangular gib key. This, as Michael indicates, is nothing very special in terms of its apparent function ... but the important thing [and the patentable invention] is the novel approach to obtaining alignment on a cylindrical shaft.

It is generally much easier and cheaper to make matching 'shafts and holes' circular in section; but then there is no positive alignment in rotation. Users of the small mill/drill machines will be familiar with the problem. ... hence my earlier comment in response to KWIL.

The patent offers a low-cost manufacturing solution ... the end result cannot be "better" than the equivalent square or triangular alignment mechanisms BUT; for a given level of accuracy it will be much cheaper to manufacture.

I copied his triangular gib in my Stepperhead lathe and have to say it works very well in alignment. As a multifunction machine it may save money over separate individual machines but there are advantages in concentricity in being able to make a component say like a gearwheel at one setting, rather than transfering it to a second machine to cut the teeth for example. Adding a vertical slide to a lathe is after all an example of creating a multi function machine.

Alan

Edited By Alan Jackson on 07/08/2012 10:26:57

Alan,

Excellent points and, as I have remarked in other threads; your Stepperhead concept is superb.

What I should have mentioned in my last posting was Gordon Gekko's famous line:

"Greed is Good"

MichaelG.

Michael W & Michael G,

I agree with what you say about a small error at a small radius being magnified at a larger radius that is why I have added a secondary column at a larger radius to say back up and ensure the alignment.

Alan

Edited By Alan Jackson on 08/08/2012 10:07:30