CNC 4th axis tailstocks, does anyone know....

[HankMcSpank]

If the live centres of these things can be swapped out (e.g. like a lathe tailstock MT1, Mt2 etc) & whether there's a 'standard' in play here. For example...

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/32270099212/-font-b-CNC-b-font-font-b-Tailstock-b-font-Chuck-For-4th-Axis-Rotary.jpg

I can't seem to find much on this aspect.

[magicniner]

As a rule the point is part of the thing and not interchangeable, the manufacturers just seem contrapt their own design based around standard designs for tail stocks from dividing head manufacturers, have a look at dividing head tail stocks, you might find something that suits you better. I use a modified dividing head tail stock with a "1/2 centre" for my 4th to give me tool clearance close to C/L at one end of the job,
Regards,
- Nick

[HankMcSpank]

I need a tail stock for a coil winder I'm going to redesign ...but I don't like the idea of being confined to the live centre provided in thos cnc 4th axis tailstocks ....I'm drawn to the concept of being able to swap out the live centre for different tips (e.g. using something like this http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-multi-head-live-revolving-centres ).

I'm struggling to find a tail stock (needs to be very small ....eg

http://designed2wind.alphalink.com.au/all6onblack.jpg

http://designed2wind.alphalink.com.au/Cropped%20Winder%20underway%202.jpg


forum member clanzer sells cnc coil winders, it's the dogs bollox but it's overkill for my modest/casual needs....

http://www.ukcnc.net/Mini-Coil-Winder-Option2-2.jpg


he has his tailstock custom made :-( (I guess that's because nothing exists for a somewhat niche genre!)

[magicniner]

Morse 1 taper tailstock?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SMALL-CENTRE-LATHE-TAILSTOCK-No-1-Taper-63mm-centre-height-Dovetail-Bed-50mm-/201330652230?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2ee03df446

Any good?

[HankMcSpank]

That type of tailstock is probably a hammer to crack my nut, but useful to know they are out there (thanks), I'm now thinking about a diy tailstock made from some stepper 90 degree angle mounts (e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400733622700?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT )


The logic of using that stepper mount as the basis for a tailstock, is that centre will exactly marry up with the centre of the stepper shaft (cos the stepper will be mounted on the same type of bracket), therefore screw in HankMcSpank'ed faceplate with bearings in the middle (difficult to explain)..... feed through something like 8mm rod & I should be well on my way to a tailstock with live centre!

Kludgetastic!