.png)
Tweet
Never could get past the math for using a Laser to set the Head.
Let's say it's 1' (one foot) from Spindle Center to the Column Center.
So if the Laser beam is projected 20' feet across the room, a movement of 0.001" at the Spindle will cause a movement of 0.02" of the Laser spot.
Not enough to be practical.
The Laser would need very, very high quality optics to project a small enough spot to see the change.
Then you get to walk back and forth to view the spot up close to set the Head, and me... I’d need a good Magnifier.
Most Laser Pointer and Levels can have a rather large spot at that distance.
Using a Mirror would return the beam back near to me, so that I can see the change while adjusting the Head.
This would double the throw, but, would still only be only 0.04".
Also the Mirror would have to be at least the length of the up/down movable distance of the head, must be very flat so as not to introduce any error, and solidly mounted.
Someone mentioned that the Machine would have to be well mounted to the floor.
Someone on this group should be able to come up with a simple Laser Interferometer that might overcome some of these problems.
I saw somewhere where a person mounted a Dial Indicator on the Head that read off of a bar that was mounted on the machine Base.
The bar had to be well mounted and precisely in alignment with the Column.
This seemed like a simple yet precise way of keeping the Head Aligned.
I have envisioned a project where using a heavy precision ground vertical bar, mounted on the base, with a good linear bearing mounted off the Head with a heavy arm, would keep the alignment.
I’ve also envisioned using a heavy Ball Screw and Ball Nut in the same setup so I can CNC it.
Yea, like that’s that going to happen any time soon!
I have a round column and wish it wasn’t so. Even with carful planning, you sometimes need to adjust the height in the middle of a job. I think the best thing is where ever and when ever we see a round column Mill, just blow it up.
Tom M.
Let's say it's 1' (one foot) from Spindle Center to the Column Center.
So if the Laser beam is projected 20' feet across the room, a movement of 0.001" at the Spindle will cause a movement of 0.02" of the Laser spot.
Not enough to be practical.
The Laser would need very, very high quality optics to project a small enough spot to see the change.
Then you get to walk back and forth to view the spot up close to set the Head, and me... I’d need a good Magnifier.
Most Laser Pointer and Levels can have a rather large spot at that distance.
Using a Mirror would return the beam back near to me, so that I can see the change while adjusting the Head.
This would double the throw, but, would still only be only 0.04".
Also the Mirror would have to be at least the length of the up/down movable distance of the head, must be very flat so as not to introduce any error, and solidly mounted.
Someone mentioned that the Machine would have to be well mounted to the floor.
Someone on this group should be able to come up with a simple Laser Interferometer that might overcome some of these problems.
I saw somewhere where a person mounted a Dial Indicator on the Head that read off of a bar that was mounted on the machine Base.
The bar had to be well mounted and precisely in alignment with the Column.
This seemed like a simple yet precise way of keeping the Head Aligned.
I have envisioned a project where using a heavy precision ground vertical bar, mounted on the base, with a good linear bearing mounted off the Head with a heavy arm, would keep the alignment.
I’ve also envisioned using a heavy Ball Screw and Ball Nut in the same setup so I can CNC it.
Yea, like that’s that going to happen any time soon!
I have a round column and wish it wasn’t so. Even with carful planning, you sometimes need to adjust the height in the middle of a job. I think the best thing is where ever and when ever we see a round column Mill, just blow it up.
Tom M.
Comment