Bridgeport Manual to CNC conversion...

[Clive S]

Dave can you not transfer files over Ethernet

[Davek0974]

I don't really transfer, the code runs direct from the stick and the rest is just keyboard/trackball

[Davek0974]

USB Issues solved - it works well without the hub and just having two extensions, i have ordered another extension and some clip-on ferrite blocks to suppress any interference.

Also, at last - the adaptor I have mucking about with for the last couple of months is finally done Admittedly it took so long as i was building the machine to make it and figuring out how to operate it but in the end, after ironing out all (so far) of the bugs in tooling, offsets, post-processing etc it really only took a couple of hours.

It's also the first part designed in Fusion 360, that was a learning curve!

It fits the mill snugly and as long as the high-speed spindle motor fits ok, should work beautifully, still got some jobs to clear before i can strip that down though.

Total cost in Z axis travel is 22mm - not bad i thought - that leaves me about 95mm to play with but on a small spindle with tiny tooling that should be ok i think.

Thanks for all help guys

[Davek0974]

I have a tapping head, TapMatic SPD5 - http://www.tapmatic.co.uk/products/p_12.php

It's a self-reversing unit in mint condition.

But it was for a manual machine - you feed in to a quill depth stop, the thread pulls the tap down which disengages the clutch then you pull up which engages reverse and the tap screws out. You need to pull up slightly more than the thread pitch in order to keep reverse engaged.

Now, I don't have rigid tapping, probably never will on this machine, so is it possible to create the feeds/retracts to use this device in CNC or not?

Or, other options?

[komatias]

I have a tapping head, TapMatic SPD5 - http://www.tapmatic.co.uk/products/p_12.php

It's a self-reversing unit in mint condition.

But it was for a manual machine - you feed in to a quill depth stop, the thread pulls the tap down which disengages the clutch then you pull up which engages reverse and the tap screws out. You need to pull up slightly more than the thread pitch in order to keep reverse engaged.

Now, I don't have rigid tapping, probably never will on this machine, so is it possible to create the feeds/retracts to use this device in CNC or not?

Or, other options?

Yes you can, but you need to figure out the depth you are going to end with. I had trouble with Vertex job.

Personally I prefer the tread milling approach. Quicker and cleaner.

[Davek0974]

I have a lot of M6 holes to thread - can you thread-mill that small?

[m_c]

I have a lot of M6 holes to thread - can you thread-mill that small?

Cutwel list cutters down to M3, but you might need to sit down when reading the price.
The most basic 1mm pitch cutter has a list price of 60.66 (Order code - L1211310)

[komatias]

Yes it is possible.

I bought a single form one to do my grid of M12's from here: http://www.drill-service.co.uk/Produ...20000&Tool=799

You would use the 6mm one with a max cutting OD of 4.8 so you can get into the 5mm pilot holes.

If you want to go quicker, you can get the multipitch endmills that can make the thread in a single pass but they do become more expensive.

Have a look on NYCCNC's videos for how to set it all up in Fusion 360.

Regards