Betcha' can't do this on YOUR lathe

Last shop I worked in had an Emco-Maier that would do that. Pretty cool, but right.....difficult to program. We had to buy Esprit software package (up to 22 axis for turning, I believe) to program the thing, even on top of the highest order of MasterCam. MC is good, but couldn't handle the machine. The programmers went to a two week school to learn the machine, and came home with a hexagonal pen they made for themselves at the school. It's an amazing thing to watch firsthand.
 
If you go back to the video, you will find that the two are mechanically connected by a shaft with two universal joints in it. The shaft is at the rear of the machine but is visible. The section of the video from 20 seconds to 30 seconds shows the layout drawing, including the drive shaft. From 45 to 50 seconds the drive shaft is visible in the background.
 
Ray C said:
LOL! Yeah, for sure I would do the first tests with aluminum...

Ray
Click to expand...

This is impressive for sure! I think I would have done the first few runs in wood. I've done that a few times when I felt the need in the past.

OK, going to go back to looking for the best small lathe for me now before I get too discouraged!
 
Back over 10 years ago I used to have to do to COMDEX in Los Angeles with my company. (we sold servo systems and linear products). I got to see
a lot of the show walking around.

What you see in the video has been done at least since 2000. The Chinese just copied it like most other things. It's actually pretty simple. Just synchronized
axis running cam profiles. (electronic cams generated on the fly depending on profile). We used to do it all the time.

Gary
 
How about slotting, the same way? :whacky:

[video=youtube;QFUTIW8Y5-U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFUTIW8Y5-U[/video]
 
The does border on "magic" but I'd be willing to bet that when something goes wrong it really goes WRONG! :yikes:

Justifying my "simpler" machines :p

-Ron
 
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