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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
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    Victoria, Australia
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    Default HM52 CNC Conversion

    After some very good discussions with DaveJ, I am going with the HM52 for the CNC conversion project, I've started a build thread on cnczone for those who are interested to see what I can screw up in the build process, and maybe learn from my mistakes.

    Build Thread Hafco HM52 CNC Conversion - CNCzone.com-The Largest Machinist Community on the net!

    I'll probably cross post to here as well, I have great difficulty navigating a large site like cnczone.. I find something interesting, then can't get back to it for the life of me!

    Regards
    Ray

  2. #2
    Dave J Guest

    Default

    I will be watching that thread with interest Ray.
    One thing I forgot to mention was the HM52B comes with a slot down one side of the quill and a locating pin in the head to stop rotation of the quill. The other models relied on the rack gears.
    Also the tables on these models are hardened top and bottom which is nice.
    I am not sure if you will be able to buy one without a DRO as these come factory fitted with them. You could always keep it to cross reference table travel after the CNC conversion, like Bob Warfield has done on the CNC cook book site.
    I have been speaking to another Aussie on CNC zone as he is converting a HM52 as well, I will pass on your link to him.
    Dave

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Default

    Hi Dave,

    Thanks for that, I am getting the M161D, with the digital readout, one of the areas of the project that I've still to suss out is how to drive is the quill, I'm expecting that the rack will have too much backlash to be useful, and I plan on somehow adding a ballscrew drive in such a way that I can still switch back to operating the quill manually.

    At this point in time I have no idea as to what the best way of doing that will be. When I get the mill, I can better evaluate what the options are.

    It might be possible to get quadrature signals out of the DRO, maybe there is a solution down that path..

    Either way, I think it will be less of a problem than driving the knee. Although I can see the attraction of that approach.

    Regards
    Ray

  4. #4
    Dave J Guest

    Default

    The M161D is just the catalog number for them all. You will have to check the front of the machine to see if it's the B model. The pictures attached show my old one and the new one's front plates
    I am going with a collar around the quill, (there is room for a 30mm high collar) and running the balscrew down the lefthand side of the head after removing the elec box.
    Dave

  5. #5
    Dave J Guest

    Default

    Also a picture of the quill slot I spoke about, to stop rotation.
    The other fellow I spoke about, sold all his unwanted parts on ebay and got good prices for them. For the power feed he got around $500, and around $200 for the motor.
    Dave

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    near Rockhampton
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    Default

    It will be an interesting read.....

    I have a chinese round column geared head mill that I would like to modify and cnc, but it makes one hell of a good drill press so have to get a replacement drilling machine first...

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
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    Default

    Hi RC,
    Funny, I am on the lookout for a mill/drill as a drill press upgrade. (30 year old Peerless, my wife bought me new as a birthday present)

    Hi Dave,

    Still thinking about the Z axis, as mentioned earlier, I won't get serious until I see the detail, but I'm thinking of modifying something like this one.



    This is basically upside down to what I think is needed on the HM52, the thrust bearing would need to go on the bottom, and the ball screw nut attached to a mounting block fixed to the head. I haven't really thought it through, just looking for ideas..

    I like his top mounting plate that fits between the head and the transmission.

    That picture is from this thread. New Quill Drive Design - Page 3 - CNCzone.com-The Largest Machinist Community on the net!

    Regards
    Ray

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
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    Victoria, Australia
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave J View Post
    Also a picture of the quill slot I spoke about, to stop rotation.
    The other fellow I spoke about, sold all his unwanted parts on ebay and got good prices for them. For the power feed he got around $500, and around $200 for the motor.
    Dave
    Hi Dave,

    That's a pretty good price! He's gotta be happy with that. Drops the cost of the mill by $700 effectively. How is his conversion going? Any details?

    Thanks for the nameplate pictures, that makes it pretty clear exactly what to look for.

    Regards
    Ray

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Athelstone, SA 5076
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    4,255

    Default

    You guys had better take plenty of notes and pictures for us more simple blokes

  10. #10
    Dave J Guest

    Default

    Hi Ray'
    Have you contacted H and F to see if they have one in at your local branch? I know the last sale they had, they were giving the special prices before the sale.
    Dave

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Victoria, Australia
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave J View Post
    Hi Ray'
    Have you contacted H and F to see if they have one in at your local branch? I know the last sale they had, they were giving the special prices before the sale.
    Dave

    Hi Dave,

    No, I haven't , that's a good idea. I'll give them a call in the morning. Thanks.

    The Mesa boards arrived yesterday. So, now I can do some proper bench testing with the Yaskawa drives and motors. I still need to sort out how best to wire the e-stop and limit switches.

    I got a quote for some 12mm 6061 T6 from Performance Metals Australia, I'm wondering who the best supplier of 6061 T6 aluminium is?

    The few other places I checked don't carry 6061 they seem to carry others like 5083 etc, and a range of other aluminium alloys?

    I'm casting about, looking to buy some Al plate for the motor mounts etc..

    Regards
    Ray

  12. #12
    Dave J Guest

    Default

    Hi Ray,
    The other fellow I was talking about is, amacf1 I didn't know that he is also a member here. I let him know about this thread and the CNC zone thread. I think he will update you on his progress soon.
    Dave
    PS
    I see he has replied to your other thread already.

  13. #13
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    Default

    Just a project update.

    H&F don't have the M161D in stock, although they will accept orders at the sale price (unknown $) for delivery in April. The M161, same machine no digital readout is in stock, not able to tell what model (HM52 or HM52B) over the phone.

    Have to wait till later in the week, to see what the pricing is like before a final decision.

    Meantime, the Mesa boards have arrived, and so I can continue building the PC.

    I have decided to go with a Shuttle as the PC platform. Small size and good vapour cooling are among the key deciding factors. The shuttle will be inside another larger enclosure, so good cooling is essential. This larger enclosure will be mounted behind the machine. I want to keep vibration down to a minimum, so it will probably not be mounted directly to the machine itself. In an attempt to ruggedize the machine a bit further, I intend using compact flash cards rather than hard drives.

    The monitor and keyboard will be mounted on an moveable arm. I have some aluminium tubing from an old trampoline, that looks just the thing!

    That way I can keep the cabling to a minimum length and fairly neat, away from the power cabling to the servos and VFD.

    Regards
    Ray

  14. #14
    Dave J Guest

    Default

    Sounds good, thats the bit I fall behind a bit,is the electronics.
    I would love to have 240ac motors on mine, but will just stick with the cheap, tried and tested dc servos.
    I see some blokes prefer the keyboard monitor away from the machine while others have it close. I think it is a personal preference. If your going to run coolant you will have to shield it some how.
    You would think for a sale they would go and have a look at what model it is and ring you back?
    Matt told me it only costs around $100 to get machines from Sydney, to and from Victoria and Brisbane because they have trucks going there regularly.
    Dave

  15. #15
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    Default

    Well, as indicated earlier, the model I was looking for was out of stock, but they were happy to take the order at the sale price with a deposit. H&F Melbourne has a few HM52's in stock including the geared head 415V HM52G, but none of the other HM52's had the HM52B nameplate, or the quill slot that Dave referred to.

    I would have taken the HM52B, without DRO if it had been available, since the CNC conversion will give me 3 axis DRO anyway.

    So, rather than start the conversion project with the wrong model, I am happy to wait for the right one to become available. They expect delivery mid April.

    Meantime, I am back to remodelling the workshop to make room for the new arrival in a few weeks.

    Trip to Melb wasn't a complete washout, I did pick up a Vertex 6" rotary table, and a front mounting 3 jaw vise plus a few odds and ends.

    Regards
    Ray

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