Old school machining

[MushCreek]

I figure it's been at least 20 years since I used a rotary table. In a perfect world, I'd just bolt this piece down in the CNC and whip up a quick program. Alas, I'm retired now, so an old B'port and a rotary table will have to do. If I had a compound rotary table, I could have cut the whole thing in one set-up. Simple part; just part of a broken tool rest for my 12" Baldor pedestal grinder.

 

[lilscorpion]

I figure it's been at least 20 years since I used a rotary table. In a perfect world, I'd just bolt this piece down in the CNC and whip up a quick program. Alas, I'm retired now, so an old B'port and a rotary table will have to do. If I had a compound rotary table, I could have cut the whole thing in one set-up. Simple part; just part of a broken tool rest for my 12" Baldor pedestal grinder.

Even tho CNC is faster, manual brings greater satisfaction if you have the time. I prefer manual it just hurts more when I screw up.

 

[MushCreek]

Yeah, I've always been the hands-on type. At my last job, while a part was cutting in the CNC, I'd often be making something else on the manual machines. Not because I had to, but because I get bored sitting around.

 

[Sumboodie]

Is CNC quicker, even with the CAD and programming?

My brother is an engineer for a gun company. He primarily sets up CNC machines and sorts out work flow processes.
Mostly Mori-seiki and Fadal units. Used to be mostly Haas, but they got rid of them for more professional machines. (Way more $$$$ too)

I wish I could learn that trade more, but there are no schools around here.

 

[MushCreek]

For really simple stuff, I'm probably faster on a manual machine. A part like the above is definitely faster CNC. It only takes a few minutes to draw a part like I'm making, and not much longer to make a program. Dedicated CAD/CAM programs make it fast and easy. Plus, you usually are programming the next part while the current one is cutting.

 

[kazlx]

Is CNC quicker, even with the CAD and programming?

My brother is an engineer for a gun company. He primarily sets up CNC machines and sorts out work flow processes.
Mostly Mori-seiki and Fadal units. Used to be mostly Haas, but they got rid of them for more professional machines. (Way more $$$$ too)

I wish I could learn that trade more, but there are no schools around here.

Yes x100. That being said, I still enjoy manual as well. Both are satisfying, but I could run that part in 10 minutes from grabbing stock to finished part. Not a knock on manual and that's a good looking part, but for the majority of stuff, there's no comparison.

 

[ddawg16]

For really simple stuff, I'm probably faster on a manual machine. A part like the above is definitely faster CNC. It only takes a few minutes to draw a part like I'm making, and not much longer to make a program. Dedicated CAD/CAM programs make it fast and easy. Plus, you usually are programming the next part while the current one is cutting.

Most CAD programs will create the stl file for you.

 

[Sumboodie]

Yes x100. That being said, I still enjoy manual as well. Both are satisfying, but I could run that part in 10 minutes from grabbing stock to finished part. Not a knock on manual and that's a good looking part, but for the majority of stuff, there's no comparison.

I guess I figured doing the CAD and G code programs would be at least hours of work.

 

[Sumboodie]

Most CAD programs will create the stl file for you.

True, but still need a human to go through right?

 

[kazlx]

I guess I figured doing the CAD and G code programs would be at least hours of work.

Simple stuff like that it would be minutes. Draw the key features off known dimensions or measure them real quick with calipers for something like that, then just pull into 3D. That part looks like maybe 3-4 tools if the hole is tapped. Super fast.

 

[ez-duzit]

The very first part I ever made on a mill required the use of a rotary table. It is an end fitting, of my own design, for the 4" diameter boom on a client's sailboat. Very satisfying and challenging work. The mill was my then new to me Index Super 55 and Troyke 12" RT.

 

[matt_i]

In your picture, how do you profile the outer radius without gouging the surface of the rotab?

I would have thought to use spacer blocks underneath it for some clearance.

In any case looks like a very nice part!

@EZduzit, lots of machine time on that part (!!!) It looks like the Bridgeport base broke the concrete slab lol

 

[MushCreek]

I didn't really have anything to put under it, so I just stopped .005" shy of hitting the table. The last little bit just peels off like foil.

 

[macgyver37]

Machining probably more than some other processes can vary greatly on time and effort to achieve the finished parts depending on tools and smarts. Meaning machines, cutters, fixtures, hardware and also everything in the up front design and planning stages too. The more dialed in you have your process, the faster it will be. The more tools you have on hand set up and ready to go, the faster you will be. The better you have the software setup, the faster you will be. All the little steps take time, how many of them are just a check off to make sure it's done vs a full going through the details to make it right each time. Things like having the post processor spitting out perfect code can be the difference in a second or two or many minutes up to hours to make sure the code is ready to run. Having the right hardware on hand can mean a short time to clamp stuff or a mess of rigging things to hold the blank, etc.

When you do it for a living everyday and are interested and motivated to do it better each time, you can get all the systems really working well so things like this part are just a few minutes. It takes time and effort up front to get the shop so that you can do it, but it is worth it.

All these same things can be implemented in a manual process as well and will make it faster, but for some things a cnc being able to turn more cranks at the same time will just inherently make it faster than manual methods.

 

[4 FN 27]

Machining probably more than some other processes can vary greatly on time and effort to achieve the finished parts depending on tools and smarts. Meaning machines, cutters, fixtures, hardware and also everything in the up front design and planning stages too. The more dialed in you have your process, the faster it will be. The more tools you have on hand set up and ready to go, the faster you will be. The better you have the software setup, the faster you will be. All the little steps take time, how many of them are just a check off to make sure it's done vs a full going through the details to make it right each time. Things like having the post processor spitting out perfect code can be the difference in a second or two or many minutes up to hours to make sure the code is ready to run. Having the right hardware on hand can mean a short time to clamp stuff or a mess of rigging things to hold the blank, etc.

When you do it for a living everyday and are interested and motivated to do it better each time, you can get all the systems really working well so things like this part are just a few minutes. It takes time and effort up front to get the shop so that you can do it, but it is worth it.

All these same things can be implemented in a manual process as well and will make it faster, but for some things a cnc being able to turn more cranks at the same time will just inherently make it faster than manual methods.

Very well said!!!

This is how I operate in the "CNC" Sheet Metal world and now I am applying this philosophy to my venture in Machining.

 

[Chrisb62]

The thing that makes CNC is that if a second part is needed no problem insert blank hit go button. One month later need two more, reset zero point import or call up program hit go button. With manual start over again with set up, one month later 'how did i do that', indicate rotary in position and so forth.
Great looking part @MushCreek

 

[MushCreek]

Assuming the CNC hasn't been used for another job. You do have to pick up your tools, too.