Watch the Lathe
May 24, 2014 19:33:29 #
I used to do refrigeration repair and worked on a few CNC units. Most guys would walk away because they are mostly foreign made machines without English repair manuals. I loved watching them while testing the cooling systems. They almost act like a small guy is inside steering all the bits and motor direction. One machine would take a block of steel and almost remove 90% of it's weight and leave something that looked like a carved elephant tusk ball within a ball. The operator would install and remove the parts and watch the readouts. He said it was quite boring after a while.
May 24, 2014 20:36:11 #
May 24, 2014 21:01:05 #
MARTYIV
Loc: On the Wabash
Michael Hartley wrote:
One is definitely going on my Christmas list.
We're probably talking $500,000-$600,000.
May 24, 2014 22:45:02 #
jerryc41 wrote:
It's hard to believe that you can watch a lathe cutting a piece of metal for almost nine minutes and remain mesmerized the whole time.
http://www.wtvideo.com/video/1847/one-of-the-most-technological--machinery-in-the-world
http://www.wtvideo.com/video/1847/one-of-the-most-technological--machinery-in-the-world
Spent most of my life installing troubleshooting and programming that type of thing Jerry... Got to see some amazing technology and how it grew during my tenure. Started in 1972 with a company called Cincinnati Milacron .. The company started in the 1800's.... Sadly to say it is long gone.... But fond memories and a not too bad retirement :-D
May 24, 2014 22:48:34 #
I retired as quality control manager of the tool and die div. in a vary large aerospace co. That was in 93. Back than we were already converting most all of our machines to be computer controlled. It was something to see. The operator had only to feed the machine. It was programed to do every thing. It measured every operation by lazer It adjusted the machine if the tool or dies would wear. If something went out of tolerance it would shut the machine down. And the computer screen would tell you just what went wrong. The operator would only have to replace the tool that went out of tol. 21 years later I wonder what they have to day.
May 25, 2014 05:48:51 #
John N wrote:
Used to set multi spindle machines in a previous life.
What was it making and how did it do without coolants?
What was it making and how did it do without coolants?
I was wondering about the lack of coolant too. As a one-time lathe operator, thank god I never had to make anything like that! Hooray for CAD CAM
May 25, 2014 20:24:40 #
MARTYIV wrote:
We're probably talking $500,000-$600,000.
Nah, I'm not wishing for the economy model. If it's going on my list, it'll be the latest state of the art, multi million dollar deluxe unit.
May 25, 2014 22:27:08 #
I was privileged to live in a time that has seen so many changes in machine shop technology. Starting in the 60s I was involved in NC 2 axis point to point mills . Including programming , using trig to calculating the points . Making the 8 channel binary tape and taking to machine and proofing it. This before all the software and plotters we have now. moved from there to CNC 3axis machines but still most of programming and etc. was still manual.The big improvement in calculating was The Hewitt Packard calculator which cost me about $400 but were well worth it. The ones now are $10 are actual do more. Then next was a 4 axis but by then we sucribed to an online software that took most of the manual work out. Later we bought a large hollow spindle lathe with a 8 inch hole thru spindle. The big problem is convincing upper management to spent the money get buy them. The last one we got after got it installed and running making the same parts that was taking 2 hours to machine the old trace lathe to about 20 minutes . then they would come watch and just stand in awe . Of course there were also many improvements in cutting tools and the interchangeable and repeat-ability. Oh this is not a lathe but a machining center.
May 26, 2014 11:16:07 #
larryzplace wrote:
Spent most of my life installing troubleshooting and programming that type of thing Jerry... Got to see some amazing technology and how it grew during my tenure. Started in 1972 with a company called Cincinnati Milacron .. The company started in the 1800's.... Sadly to say it is long gone.... But fond memories and a not too bad retirement :-D
Yes you are correct was a machinist in the 50s 60s running Cincinnati mills. Then later with a different company and bought a 2 axis point to point milicon mill. went to program school in Cincinnati to learn how to program NC machines. Was taught by a great guy . His name was Don Lyons if memory serves me correctly' Went again a couple years later to learn CNC programming . They were the early pionears in the NC and CNC machining. sad that they are gone. The Japanese took over the market . I think the machine in the video is a Mori Seiki brand and probably a Fanuc control. the last two machines I was involved in purchasing was that brand and control. That control was what was a real winner for them.
May 26, 2014 15:28:53 #
jdeanb wrote:
Yes you are correct was a machinist in the 50s 60s... (show quote)
Don was a great guy and teacher... Had many a good time with him.... That name sure brings up some great memories...
Time marches on... The picture is me... and it was on the front of one of the annual reports of Cincinnati Milacron
IMTS 1992 Me Demoing a Lathe
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