I want to add a 4th axis rotary table to my 3-axis cnc mill.
But I can’t afford to go to any manufacturer and request a brand new rotary with all the bells and whistles, although that’s probably the best way of doing this.
I can only opt out for a used unit.
After spending weeks on-line, searching, reading, learning - I am still in the clouds about what exactly will work for my cnc.
What I have : 2007 Amera Seiki A-3 CNC Machining center with a Fanuc 0i-MC control. It’s a 40x20x24(z) travel machine, 4th axis READY!
What I want to do: Mostly will be doing indexing to save time on setups for work pieces that have machining on more sides than just top and bottom faces. I like the idea of putting a trunnion between a face plate and a tailstock so I can use Vices, or fixture plates to hold my work pieces and get access to 3 sides. Something like the Martin Stallion Trunnion Table for 4th axis. https://www.trunniontable.com/ Or I could put a magnetic table between the Face plate and tail stock…the options are endless, only if I could get the right 4th axis table for my machine and figure out all of the settings I need to make it work.
Has Anybody out here walked this same path before and can shine some light on this topic?
Any input is greatly appreciated!
You can use 2nd hand used rotary tables that causes much less money. according to your table size.
It should be big enough to fit your Vice. But for big parts long you have to pull it out of the machine but for small one it could be resting in the machine.
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If you want a rotary that interfaces to the control even a used one won’t be cheap but they will pay for themselves by eliminating setups.
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They can be very cheap and expensive depending upon the condition. If they are used but in good condition they will be costly and vice versa.
Did something similar with a little Haas OM2 machine that I had with a sherline rotary table. I currently have a sharp 2412 and am researching the same thing. The hard part is that even with 4th axis ready you still need the parameters to set that would tell the controller how fast the rotary is moving, knowledge known by a Fanuc service tech.
The work around like what I did with the haas was the sherline indexer external controller has provisions for an auxiliary output m21 with an Mfin feedback from the controller. If indexing is what you are after look for a rotary that comes with an external controller box like a haas or yuassa. Check your electrical manual as most machines will have a spare relay that can be used to send a signal to an external indexer control box.
So work flow would be like op1 g54 do your thing, then m21 signal out to indexer control, indexer rotates table 90degs, send Mfin command back to Cnc controller op2 ready to start with your g55 offset so on and so forth. Probably the cheapest way to go if indexing is what you are after. Going full fourth simultaneous will require $$ and probably a service call. Worst case scenario if you don’t get everything hooked up is push cycle start on the indexer controller.
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Thanks TerryChan
That’s basically what I’ve learned via google search so far as well.
Also something with the 4th axis drive serial number and how the drive needs to be compatible with rotary servo motor.
Have you heard anything like that before?