Fair play, some seriously good stuff going on there. From the update to CNC controller through to the drawing and machining of the parts. Something I'm just getting used to myself. Still working out how to utilise Fusion 360 and getting into the world of CNC machining. There are cheap enough lathes about that are in good condition. Just bought a Harrison Alpha 400U to hopefully do the bulk of the machining. Anything large I'll chuck into the old DSG (another cheap lathe at £2000) so they are about. Really enjoying reading these posts and keep up the good work! Have you any plans going forwards after Uni?
how much Z axis travel do you have? fix the component to an angle plate and bore them out ? ... soon get centre, touching off with an edge finder - only need to touch off on three edges, which you have
been some incredibly cheap CNC lathes on FB MP lately (all with control faults, sadly) ... Way beyond my pay grade
or I'd've been sorely tempted by one for 800 quid, in particular looked mint --- other issue with them is the footprint - 'kin huge
Yeah had to go and look at this one today just to make sure it was okay, they have issues losing parameters if the internal batteries die and then external power is removed. This one appears to be good. Ex college then to a small precision instrument repair company who mainly do one offs so barely used it. Ways are still like new, cant quite believe it really and the pictures online were terrible else I think someone else would have snapped it up. Like you say they have a fair footprint, electronics don't worry me too much as it is usually just a flat battery then servo's zero position is lost. Main thing is the older controllers being able to accept code and feeding them with it.been some incredibly cheap CNC lathes on FB MP lately (all with control faults, sadly) ... Way beyond my pay grade
Cheers
Make sure you can swap out the one you are going to weld in then!!!
Thank you @jd6820
The current hitch can just be unbolted from the bottom plate
Don't think the photos show the scale of these parts ... impressive turned on a manual lathe ?
Yes often seems to be the control system that gets outdated on most machinesbeen some incredibly cheap CNC lathes on FB MP lately (all with control faults, sadly) ... Way beyond my pay grade
Yeah, I was thinking that when I uploaded it. The lathe pictured is a 21" swing 12.5hp, it was running under some load taking 5mm DOC. No DRO so lots of measurements with calipers to rough it out then micrometers once near size and snap guages for ID. I do have some bore micrometers but none that size. Harrison's are a good lathe, maybe look a bit newer than L7 better with an M series, Colchester are also good lathes, plenty about too. DSG's are about the top and can be found for handy money but may have been worked hard as they'd be a lump newer to buy. If you are looking for a machine to suit turning on AG stuff then I'd be after a 16" swing, you've a bit of capacity then for larger bars/pins (through hole size is a big factor). I suppose I'm making the assumption you have 3 phase? The bigger lathes are usually cheaper as they aren't really home shop machines.
occasionally you see decent machines come up , ideally stuff that comes out of colleges tends to be alright as it hasn't really be used that much.
Could you do a field service type role? i.e. dealer tech support from manufacturer side? You'd basically laise with the dealer if they have an ongoing issue with a product or a problem they can't solve then you work with the manufacturer for a solution? You'd get office and field based work under the same role. Employed by say Wacker Neuson rather than supplying dealer. Krone have recently put job offers out for such roles. Based on what you have shown us here I think they'd jump at the opportunity to employ someone such as yourself.
Beutys them! What they for?
Ah, yes single phase can limit motor size somewhat even with a phase converter or VFD. If you are on a farm there is a government scheme that has put a cap on how much the electric companies can charge to install 3 phase. I know we didn't have it and the cost to get it was £83,000 before the government cap. We ended up paying £7,000 in the end and that was with the power company installing it as well.
Bridge crane wheels and drive shafts. Split the gearboxes down and installed the new shafts as the old parts had worn the splines in the wheels and on the driveshafts. These new parts have a mod so I don't think I'll see them again. I think an engineered wear point as new parts were silly money.
Yes its something we are looking into as there is overhead power cables that run across , these are going to be put underground , Hopefully when that happens, we can also get a quote to bring the supply down the pole and into a kiosk at the same time.