Cnc rotary table.

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Some of you would have noticed I aquired a vertex hv6 rotary table yesterday.

older generation still with bearings rather than running in the machined castings.

needs a clean then I'm going to look at fitting a stepper to index with.
Next to no backlash either.

Came across this http://divisionmaster.co.uk/divisionmaster.html a few weeks back but as this is a hobby it's a bit pricey. If it earnt my living I'd just buy it.

Queue arduino.
Never used it. Heard a bit about it and always fancied a play so perfect excuse.

Currently looking at a arduino uni
A nema 23. 1.5 degrees backlash is a little concerning but locking the table during cuts would negate this? Better options welcome.

And the driver.

Any and all advice welcome. Zero experience with cnc amd steppers.

 

[MattH]

Backlash doesn’t come into it as long as you always rotate it in one direction.

 

[Screwdriver]

Nice project. Have you seen all of Stefan Gotteswinter YouTube videos? He does a LOT of work with rotary tables. Mostly fettling for precision.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Nice project. Have you seen all of Stefan Gotteswinter YouTube videos? He does a LOT of work with rotary tables. Mostly fettling for precision.

Yup watched those yesterday.

Liked his videos actually. Must see what else he has to watch.

That's when it became obvious mine was an older version. Most of his mods were to improve the parts I don't have.

Il be looking to skim the edge paralell to the horizontal base too. Nice easy reference to square off is useful.
Il clean it up over the weekend and out a dial on it.

 

[graffian]

I tried, it was a bit grim. An axis motor off a matchmaker run from some fets fired by a laptop.
It was great for just rotating. to a position. I did some 13hole bolt patterns and didn't have to change, from spot
drill to drill to tap, for every hole, or keep rotating it. I just entered the number of steps and away it went.
But it didn't like facing, I had to limit the cut to about 10 thou or so other wise the motor bounced back and fore a bit.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Yes assumed facing with it could be an issue. If I needed to mill a 30 degrees curved slot suppose the best method would be to mill/drill the extremities first then mill in between.
Mainly building for pcd and indexing. Il grab a tailstock to suit at some point too for vertical work.
If I need to face with it will be light cuts too. Most cuts will be light on my mill anyway lol. Only a baby.

 

[Hood]

Backlash doesn’t come into it as long as you always rotate it in one direction.

Not so sure about that, I would think cutting forces could be a problem if there is slop in the table.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Not so sure about that, I would think cutting forces could be a problem if there is slop in the table.

No side to side or up and down on the table. It's rock solid.
Got just over 1.5mm movement on the handle index before engaging.
Quick dirty video with a 0.001mm dial. Couldn't be bothered to get my lever dial out but will do for now.
With table locks engaged it doesn't register any movement.
Once it's cleaned up il retest with 2 hands.

 

[MattH]

Not so sure about that, I would think cutting forces could be a problem if there is slop in the table.

Slop in the table isn’t the same thing as backlash. For example on a Bridgeport’s table you adjust the backlash with an adjustable brass feedscrew nut. And you adjust slop in the table with the way gib.

If the rotary table has too much play to be machining on the move then that is a failing of the rigidity of the setup and not backlash.

 

[Hood]

I am meaning slop in the worm drive of the rotary table, ie rotational backlash. If there is then it is fine for an indexer if locked between indexes but if wanting to use as a 4th axis for machining then the cutting forces would have to be taken account of so that the table is not being pulled about.


Edit, just to clarify, my use of table above is referring to the rotary table and not the machines table.

 

[gaz1]

ive come across this post

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Good clean up and it's running even better.
Be ordering bits and pieces to begin this over the weekend. Little more homework first.
I did remove the worm spindle. Nice oil chanel spiraling down and a lowered section where the locking bolt holds engagement. Would apear to act as a resiviour for the oil chanel too.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

ive come across this post

Got bored after part 5.
The main comment rattling around in my head was start with a better rotary table.
Awful lot of work there.

Il wack mine on the surface plate at some point.

 

[addjunkie]

Those small rotary tables used to come with a dividing set of plates....from memory they are interchangable with the hand wheel from memory. Its about 10 years since Ive looked at mine for that, as I am lucky enough to also have a dividing head.

You could probably get a set if you look about

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Those small rotary tables used to come with a dividing set of plates....from memory they are interchangable with the hand wheel from memory. Its about 10 years since Ive looked at mine for that, as I am lucky enough to also have a dividing head.

You could probably get a set if you look about

Aye. Chonos have them and the tailstock to match too. Think they replace the index ring.
Il grab both at some point.
not as intresting as cnc though. Get to leant a bit for future projects.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

https://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/Vertex_Rotary_Tables_and_Accessories.html

 

[Hood]

What is the centre height of your table?

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Not sure without checking.

3 1/2 maybe 3 3/4" tables 6"

 

[Hood]

Will check and see but I have an adjustable centre which may be about that size.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Will check and see but I have an adjustable centre which may be about that size.

Cool. Cheers.

Il check center height while I'm out there tomorrow. Gonna put it on the plate and see how good/bad it is.