zkling
Aluminum
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2004
- Location
- cincinnati, oh USA
Looking to round out our small prototype / job shop with a Y axis lathe. So many of our parts are primarily turned then require light milling afterwards, typically needing a 4th axis on the mill. Example tapering, threading (.75" length) and then milling a external hex on the end of a .75" diameter shaft ~12" long. Or turning a ~2.5" diameter 6160-T6 slug to a ball on one end and then putting a hole radial cross through.
Currently the shop has a Whacheon HL580 23x60 manual lathe with taper attach, dro. And a Centroid controlled 40 taper bed mill with the 4th axis. Really between the two and some fixturing all the components are able to be produced, but can really tie up skilled hands and machine availability.
This will be a prototype, maintenance machine, no 1000 piece runs, no shaving seconds for cycle time.
We also do a lot of simple tube work from ~1" to 2.5" OD, hence the preference for a 3" bar capable machine. Threading the last inch or two, a few grooves internal and external for snap rings, then off to another machine for slots or up to 3/4" holes drilled into the side. Would be great do be able to do all of this on one machine.
The machine will seldom see any hard material or heavy cutting, mostly an aluminum, plastic, brass and mild steel (tubing) machine. Very seldom on the maintenance side we need to cut a medium series stainless or 4140, but those can easily be handled on the manual lathe.
While I am not completely sold on a y-axis machine, we could certainly get full use out of it. We also would really benefit from CNC lathe capability (bar puller)for small, simple, two digit quantity parts. Example a 3/8" diameter brass stud ~2" long, threaded externally and internally part way.
As of right now the Haas ST30Y is looking like a pretty fitting machine between the 3" bar capacity at the price tag. I am talking with all the large names, and in our price range the Okuma Genos series, Mazak QTU and nexus series don't seem to be able to offer the bar capacity to handle past 2". I can't see a true need for a sub spindle. 5 turning tool holders and 4 live (2 axial, 2 radial) would do a good 95% of what we need with minimal tool changes needed.
Programming will be done with CAM primarily, but a simple controller with basic conversational programs would be a huge plus.
Thoughts overall on a Y-axis for our applications? Selection of the Haas ST-30Y, how well will it handle the smaller pieces? Is the geared headstock and tailstock worth it? A good 80% of the parts will be hanging out of the chuck a max of 3", but on the seldom chance we needed to make a pump shaft or the like, how is the Haas tailstock on their ST series machine? Would we be better to keep the heavy maintenance jobs on the manual lathe?
Thanks in advance.
Currently the shop has a Whacheon HL580 23x60 manual lathe with taper attach, dro. And a Centroid controlled 40 taper bed mill with the 4th axis. Really between the two and some fixturing all the components are able to be produced, but can really tie up skilled hands and machine availability.
This will be a prototype, maintenance machine, no 1000 piece runs, no shaving seconds for cycle time.
We also do a lot of simple tube work from ~1" to 2.5" OD, hence the preference for a 3" bar capable machine. Threading the last inch or two, a few grooves internal and external for snap rings, then off to another machine for slots or up to 3/4" holes drilled into the side. Would be great do be able to do all of this on one machine.
The machine will seldom see any hard material or heavy cutting, mostly an aluminum, plastic, brass and mild steel (tubing) machine. Very seldom on the maintenance side we need to cut a medium series stainless or 4140, but those can easily be handled on the manual lathe.
While I am not completely sold on a y-axis machine, we could certainly get full use out of it. We also would really benefit from CNC lathe capability (bar puller)for small, simple, two digit quantity parts. Example a 3/8" diameter brass stud ~2" long, threaded externally and internally part way.
As of right now the Haas ST30Y is looking like a pretty fitting machine between the 3" bar capacity at the price tag. I am talking with all the large names, and in our price range the Okuma Genos series, Mazak QTU and nexus series don't seem to be able to offer the bar capacity to handle past 2". I can't see a true need for a sub spindle. 5 turning tool holders and 4 live (2 axial, 2 radial) would do a good 95% of what we need with minimal tool changes needed.
Programming will be done with CAM primarily, but a simple controller with basic conversational programs would be a huge plus.
Thoughts overall on a Y-axis for our applications? Selection of the Haas ST-30Y, how well will it handle the smaller pieces? Is the geared headstock and tailstock worth it? A good 80% of the parts will be hanging out of the chuck a max of 3", but on the seldom chance we needed to make a pump shaft or the like, how is the Haas tailstock on their ST series machine? Would we be better to keep the heavy maintenance jobs on the manual lathe?
Thanks in advance.
We have amassed quite a collection.
