Hybrid Mill Design

[Neale]

Chaz - can't help with any of your questions but I've seen that you are using Fusion 360 for this design. I'm using the same thing (and gradually getting to grips with it) although I haven't looked at any fancy renderings yet! However, can you give a pointer to a source of the Hiwin carriages and rails? Are these from Hiwin, and what drawing format works for you?

Thanks,

[Chaz]

Chaz - can't help with any of your questions but I've seen that you are using Fusion 360 for this design. I'm using the same thing (and gradually getting to grips with it) although I haven't looked at any fancy renderings yet! However, can you give a pointer to a source of the Hiwin carriages and rails? Are these from Hiwin, and what drawing format works for you?

Thanks,

Hi, how did you know it was Fusion? Hehe.

There is a place that I found the CAD documents on .... I import them as STEP file IIRC.

http://hiwin.partcommunity.com/ - you need to register, quick and easy.

[Neale]

Hi, how did you know it was Fusion? Hehe.

Because you mentioned it in another post! I thought the question fitted better here, though. Many thanks for the answer - I'll go take a look.

I have to say that things like F360 make 3D CAD much more accessible even to a novice amateur like me, and your pictures above are a great demonstration of what can be done.

[Clive S]

I have just been watching a video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-GBpUZ3piY If you have used SW it seems very easy to use. I am impressed and will give it a try.

[Chaz]

Any comments on my mill design ;p ?

[routercnc]

Hi Chaz,

Some thoughts -
1.The plates which hang off the Y axis (and hold the Y bearings) look weak as they cantilevered off the side.
2. How will you clamp the spindle? Are you planning on using grub screws? Not sure that is a good idea.
3. Are you only using 1 bearing per rail on the Z axis? I would use 2 per rail.
4. I would use 2 screws on Y to get the most out of a machine like this.
5. 2 screws in Z is worth looking at but it takes up Y travel and I think one screw is still pretty good.

I've also been working on a new design over the past few weeks based on the DMG Mori - here is my attempt so far:

Iso metric:


Side:


Top:


Y axis:


Box Z axis:


Underside of Z axis showing spindle clamped by front plate:

[Chaz]

Hi Chaz,

Some thoughts -
1.The plates which hang off the Y axis (and hold the Y bearings) look weak as they cantilevered off the side.
2. How will you clamp the spindle? Are you planning on using grub screws? Not sure that is a good idea.
3. Are you only using 1 bearing per rail on the Z axis? I would use 2 per rail.
4. I would use 2 screws on Y to get the most out of a machine like this.
5. 2 screws in Z is worth looking at but it takes up Y travel and I think one screw is still pretty good.

I've also been working on a new design over the past few weeks based on the DMG Mori - here is my attempt so far:

Iso metric:


Side:


Top:


Y axis:


Box Z axis:


Underside of Z axis showing spindle clamped by front plate:

1.The plates which hang off the Y axis (and hold the Y bearings) look weak as they cantilevered off the side.

They could be improved / widened, would that still be a concern?

2. How will you clamp the spindle? Are you planning on using grub screws? Not sure that is a good idea.

Agreed, not sure either. Problem is, how do you ensure that the square remains perfectly square (for the rail system) when you tighten to clamp the spindle?

3. Are you only using 1 bearing per rail on the Z axis? I would use 2 per rail.

Understood / agreed.

4. I would use 2 screws on Y to get the most out of a machine like this.

Understood / agreed.

5. 2 screws in Z is worth looking at but it takes up Y travel and I think one screw is still pretty good.

Fair point, I was looking at this to mitigate for only having 4 carriers. I dont really want to go to 8 and I like the idea of a square / Octogon shape for strength. Suppose a traditional design might be better.

[uli12us]

Yes, forget it. How big should the machine be?
That dubious concept isn't as easy as it looks. I think they have a gantry Axe on Y (if the normal X-Y is correct) only, because Hermle have a patent for a centralised Spindle. Gantry have no advantage against 1 spindle in the middle, except in a really large machine.
And your control must handle 3 of it. Can it do this.
The same for X and Z. This construction is ok, if you have a spindle with a ton or more. If not its much too complicated.
And the Z axe don't work, you have 4 guiding carriage (I hope the word is correct, the slider on the linear guide) 4 or eventually 3 is correct, but not in these layout.
You need 2 sliders per linear guide. And if you want 4 side by side each must
parallel within a rather tight tolerance.
If its for yourself and you don't want to sell it, then you can make it with a central spindle.

A gantry spindle brings no advantage, but much more effort, each Motor and driver must bought double.

The concept with the u-shaped bed is good, but all other too complicated. Unfortunately I don't know, how I can add a pdf-file.

[Chaz]

Yes, forget it. How big should the machine be?
That dubious concept isn't as easy as it looks. I think they have a gantry Axe on Y (if the normal X-Y is correct) only, because Hermle have a patent for a centralised Spindle. Gantry have no advantage against 1 spindle in the middle, except in a really large machine.
And your control must handle 3 of it. Can it do this.
The same for X and Z. This construction is ok, if you have a spindle with a ton or more. If not its much too complicated.
And the Z axe don't work, you have 4 guiding carriage (I hope the word is correct, the slider on the linear guide) 4 or eventually 3 is correct, but not in these layout.
You need 2 sliders per linear guide. And if you want 4 side by side each must
parallel within a rather tight tolerance.
If its for yourself and you don't want to sell it, then you can make it with a central spindle.

A gantry spindle brings no advantage, but much more effort, each Motor and driver must bought double.

The concept with the u-shaped bed is good, but all other too complicated. Unfortunately I don't know, how I can add a pdf-file.

Thanks. I understand most of what is being said. Ill respond later when I have a bit more time regarding some questions.

Please email me the pdf - ctintinger at gmail dot com.

Thanks

[Clive S]

Unfortunately I don't know, how I can add a pdf-file.

I think you have to go the advanced tab and then click on attachments