Power feed direction.

[Razzle]

This is probably a silly question but that's what the beginners forum is for right? I built a diy power feed for the x axis on my minimill. It works great. but as I use it I have been getting conflicting feelings about directional control. I set it up so when I flip the switch to the right the table travels to the right, ergo to the left. But as I use it I find myself occasionally trying to switch it in the direction I want the cutter to go instead of the direction of table travel. so my question is: Is there a 'standard' in how the power feed direction is supposed to go? Cutter travel vs table travel? It's easy for me to change as I just swap polarity on the dc motor. But I just wanted to know what is more common for power feeds on machine tools.

 

[pontiac428]

The "standard" is to set the lever so that the table feeds in the direction the lever is pushed. Just a litte practice, and you will naturally stop making directional mistakes. If not, well, you can join the club of us who have ruined a part by turning a wheel or lever the wrong way. Just hope it isn't on the final movement of the job!

 

[pdentrem]

There are no ruined parts! What you have is something that does not fit your version of reality.

 

[RJSakowski]

Turning the cranks for the table feed on my RF clone move the table away from me but the jog controls for the Tormach CNC move the table to the left, cutter to the right or table to the front.cutter to the rear for a clockwise rotation of the jog/shuttle. It was confusing at first but eventually muscle memory eventually got them straight.

 

[Razzle]

Thanks. That helps a lot. I haven't ruined a part yet as I have been very careful using power feed. But I noticed my tendency to get confused and wanted some validation for leaving it the way it is or changing it. To be fair I still get confused on which way to crank the handles. With that I have ruined a part.

 

[devils4ever]

Yes, I was constantly turning the cranks the wrong way. That stopped when I converted to CNC.

 

[ChazzC]

Thus my silly labels on the X- & Y-Axes:

 

[ChazzC]

Thus my silly labels on the X- & Y-Axes:

 

[Manual Mac]

This is my cheat sheet.
after all these years I still use it.

 

[bill stupak]

I have my power feed opposite. I have it to match the perceived travel of the cutter and not table travel. It works for me.