So, my company picked up some Star swiss machines. I know, keep your opinions to yourself I probably agree. Anyway, the owner designed a collet extension to remove/replace the guide bushing, but it in my opinion will not work.
The spindle extension will spin in a sleeve with no bearing. The tolerance is very tight, and is only cooled/lubricated by the intermittent way oil. I believe this will seize very quickly.
I suggest to the manager (owner in different state) that we scrap the plan and start new. My suggestion uses the same set up as our Hanwas. It is essentially an extension that is housed with bearing support in the housing. The whole assembly moves with the main head. This may or may not be possible and why I am here posting. The problem is simply that the seat/flange ID that holds the guide bushing is significantly smaller (hence why there is no bearing in design) I suggest we pull this flange and make a new one that is the size needed. But the bigger issue is the ID on the cast housing behind it. I think we can bore it out with the machine. The issue is there is a flat on the casting behind the cast ID (I know, vague). I am not sure how thick the cast is there and If I can make the ID the size I want or will I have to go smaller? Also, is the machine even capable of opening this up with the proper tooling?
Note: I am not a cnc machinist. I am a toolmaker. I am working on this project with our swiss cnc guy. Also, it is a VERY new company that is still getting on its feet so the owner/ management still have yet to truely let the reigns go and let us do our job, and with the equipment required. Lastly, we got these machines basically for free and the intended use is a hand load. I do not anticipate the need for bar feed in future. Plus, if we can run these on this one job we will meet our investment very quickly.
Any thoughts?
The spindle extension will spin in a sleeve with no bearing. The tolerance is very tight, and is only cooled/lubricated by the intermittent way oil. I believe this will seize very quickly.
I suggest to the manager (owner in different state) that we scrap the plan and start new. My suggestion uses the same set up as our Hanwas. It is essentially an extension that is housed with bearing support in the housing. The whole assembly moves with the main head. This may or may not be possible and why I am here posting. The problem is simply that the seat/flange ID that holds the guide bushing is significantly smaller (hence why there is no bearing in design) I suggest we pull this flange and make a new one that is the size needed. But the bigger issue is the ID on the cast housing behind it. I think we can bore it out with the machine. The issue is there is a flat on the casting behind the cast ID (I know, vague). I am not sure how thick the cast is there and If I can make the ID the size I want or will I have to go smaller? Also, is the machine even capable of opening this up with the proper tooling?
Note: I am not a cnc machinist. I am a toolmaker. I am working on this project with our swiss cnc guy. Also, it is a VERY new company that is still getting on its feet so the owner/ management still have yet to truely let the reigns go and let us do our job, and with the equipment required. Lastly, we got these machines basically for free and the intended use is a hand load. I do not anticipate the need for bar feed in future. Plus, if we can run these on this one job we will meet our investment very quickly.
Any thoughts?