05-25-2018, 03:14 AM
Hi,
I am slowly exercising. I wanted to show a part I made and would like your advice on few issue:
I did this vee-block in Al6064 as I wanted to try the tilting of the head and because I might need it.
For the flat surfaces I used a surface mill 50mm and the 45 degree cut and groove have been done with 6mm endmill two flutes coated. I started with a block 60 x 60 x 70 (approx).
Here are my issues:
1) When I put a round bar inside in the vice using the block, around 50 cm long, I have a 0.5 mm deviation between up and down, meaning the 45 degree thing is not perfectly parallel to the face.
2) In general, I really have problem in having accuracy in what I do: I cannot really see the scratches I do on the part with the scribe and I have difficulties to measure the mart while in the vise. If I take it out of the vise, I lose reference completely.
3) I have marks in the surface finish. These are one each turn of the lead screw. I built a power feed, in order to be more consistent in my feed, still have to experiment.
4) I also noticed that the surface marks get better if I tighten the play of the table, but then it becomes very hard to turn it.
5) My mill is sitting on a wooden table and it is not attached to it. When the cuts get a bit more demanding the machine jumps.
I am looking at ways to improve the overall process and (correct me if I am wrong) I think the following would help:
a) Move the machine to an heavy table where it can be bolted. I made a design of a structure that should be rigid enough and add approx 50 kg to the assembly. It would be easier to buy the support cabinet, but this just weight 15 kg. Price would be approximately the same.
b) DRO: I think it would help me a lot not to get lost. I am looking at models from http://www.machine-dro.co.uk. They recommended the magnetic tape sensor and they are quite cheap. I don't see the point in going extra cheap, as these are things that I might also reuse if I change machine.
c) Measuring equipment. I have calipers and that's it. What tool would you think will help to improve accuracy ? I was thinking first a set of micrometers (and the blue ink to improve the marking)
Thanks,
Davide
I am slowly exercising. I wanted to show a part I made and would like your advice on few issue:
I did this vee-block in Al6064 as I wanted to try the tilting of the head and because I might need it.
For the flat surfaces I used a surface mill 50mm and the 45 degree cut and groove have been done with 6mm endmill two flutes coated. I started with a block 60 x 60 x 70 (approx).
Here are my issues:
1) When I put a round bar inside in the vice using the block, around 50 cm long, I have a 0.5 mm deviation between up and down, meaning the 45 degree thing is not perfectly parallel to the face.
2) In general, I really have problem in having accuracy in what I do: I cannot really see the scratches I do on the part with the scribe and I have difficulties to measure the mart while in the vise. If I take it out of the vise, I lose reference completely.
3) I have marks in the surface finish. These are one each turn of the lead screw. I built a power feed, in order to be more consistent in my feed, still have to experiment.
4) I also noticed that the surface marks get better if I tighten the play of the table, but then it becomes very hard to turn it.
5) My mill is sitting on a wooden table and it is not attached to it. When the cuts get a bit more demanding the machine jumps.
I am looking at ways to improve the overall process and (correct me if I am wrong) I think the following would help:
a) Move the machine to an heavy table where it can be bolted. I made a design of a structure that should be rigid enough and add approx 50 kg to the assembly. It would be easier to buy the support cabinet, but this just weight 15 kg. Price would be approximately the same.
b) DRO: I think it would help me a lot not to get lost. I am looking at models from http://www.machine-dro.co.uk. They recommended the magnetic tape sensor and they are quite cheap. I don't see the point in going extra cheap, as these are things that I might also reuse if I change machine.
c) Measuring equipment. I have calipers and that's it. What tool would you think will help to improve accuracy ? I was thinking first a set of micrometers (and the blue ink to improve the marking)
Thanks,
Davide