This link might work - https://a360.co/2ZFxRoD

Progress has been pretty slow, as time is being split behind keeping up with orders using the manual lathe (I'm getting a dab hand at spinning dials to DRO readings!), and working through the list of things needed to get the big mill working (I might update that thread at some point). However as off Tuesday, I'll have 3 weeks to hopefully make a big dent in both projects.

I'm still working on the basic layout.
My big issue is I want to maximise X-axis travel.
Most of the parts I currently make could be done with about 120mm of travel and suitable gang tooling, however I'm wanting to add live tooling. I'll likely only need two live tools at any given time, and my original plan was to use VDI holders for everything with two driven, but having received a CAD model of a VDI30 holder, the closest spacing before access to the clamping screw becomes a problem, is 100mm.

I'm now thinking some form of interchangeable gang tooling blocks, then have the option of either driven VDI holders, or more compact driven tools more often found on gang lathes. The issue with that is tool changing becomes a bit more time consuming.

At the moment the design has around 350mm of X-axis travel. I could increase that to about 400mm, before I reach the limits of what I can machine. Another item on the list to work out, is potential tool layout so I can work out what kind of clearance everything needs.

Although that model shows everything flat, my plan is to tip it all up 45deg. Hence why the trucks aren't stacked directly on top of each other, plus it avoids bolt clashes between the trucks.

The big thing I'm not entirely happy about with this design, is unless I go to the hassle of a rotating ballnut, the servo motor is going to be hanging on the end of the cross slide.


So, as you can see from all that, there is a lot of contemplation needed while trying to juggle all my desired features, into something that will actually work.