power feed?

[Coomba]

I have a PM450M, and I would like to add a power feed to the X axis. About the only one I can find, that I know will fit, is a AL500, PM833T. Measuring 17x13x12 this unit seems like overkill for my small mill. Also it has to be mounted in the vertical position, so this takes up even more room in my small shop. Is this size the norm?Does anyone have any knowledge of this type of application or something similar, or can steer me in another direction?

 

[Herbiev]

I just use a 12 volt windscreen wiper motor with a speed control

 

[petertha]

I don't see a PM405 on what I presume is Precision Mathews? current website offerings. But for reference I have a 1998-ish RF-45 mill with I suspect similar power feed installed as you are wondering about. Its a Chinese version of what was or maybe still is Align. The motor drive unit is fine but the bracket leaves something to be desired. My mounting mod with pics here.
http://www.****************.com/threads/rf-45-mill-power-feed-mount-improvement.64766/#post-538502

I wont repeat myself here but they kind of 'modify' the drive unit to lay horizontal. Trying to adapt it to a vertical hang like you see on bigger mills will require a lot more work I suspect, different gears, brackets, shims.

 

[Coomba]

I don't see a PM405 on what I presume is Precision Mathews? current website offerings. But for reference I have a 1998-ish RF-45 mill with I suspect similar power feed installed as you are wondering about. Its a Chinese version of what was or maybe still is Align. The motor drive unit is fine but the bracket leaves something to be desired. My mounting mod with pics here.
http://www.****************.com/threads/rf-45-mill-power-feed-mount-improvement.64766/#post-538502

I wont repeat myself here but they kind of 'modify' the drive unit to lay horizontal. Trying to adapt it to a vertical hang like you see on bigger mills will require a lot more work I suspect, different gears, brackets, shims.

PM450M Very similar to this but without the power feeds
http://www.precisionmatthews.com/shop/pm-833t/

 

[petertha]

The motor drive unit looks the same as mine, but its hard to tell from the PM pic if it uses the casting bracket that clamps in the mill table pocket. That's where I had issues as per the link I attached.

Unless the drive is Align (or similar Taiwain) I suspect it might be like many others out there like ebay, Shars etc.

Matt is a good guy, you would be well advised to chat him up.

 

[Wizard69]

If you are looking for a power feed id suggest either a small DC gear motor or a stepper motor.

A small DC gear motor, such as a wiper motor can be run as a variable speed with a suitable drive. It is just a little bit of electrical work.

The use of a stepper motor is more involved electrically. You basically need a pulse generator to feed the drive and this can range from fairly simple electronics to microprocessor control. In more elaborate controls you can dial in exactly what you want for feed rates. The other advantage of going stepper is that you have a complete axis if CNC is in the future.

In either case id go belt drive to the axis leadscrew to be able to rapidly disconnect a drive. Sometimes the extra load can hamper manual use. The idea is you loosen the timing belt, remove it and you then end up with basically the same feel as before.

 

[purpleknif]

I hacked a 12 volt drill with an e-bay speed controller. Gobs of torque and a built in clutch to avoid damage .

 

[Coomba]

If you are looking for a power feed id suggest either a small DC gear motor or a stepper motor.

A small DC gear motor, such as a wiper motor can be run as a variable speed with a suitable drive. It is just a little bit of electrical work.

The use of a stepper motor is more involved electrically. You basically need a pulse generator to feed the drive and this can range from fairly simple electronics to microprocessor control. In more elaborate controls you can dial in exactly what you want for feed rates. The other advantage of going stepper is that you have a complete axis if CNC is in the future.

In either case id go belt drive to the axis leadscrew to be able to rapidly disconnect a drive. Sometimes the extra load can hamper manual use. The idea is you loosen the timing belt, remove it and you then end up with basically the same feel as before.

I just don't have the smarts to install something like that.

 

[petertha]

Shars online price (discount?) for 275U. That's about as cheap as I've seen for new ones. I'm going to guess these are the same generic Chinese ones you see packaged under other names. I remember when Shars (Taiwan?) was the only provider in this size & they were closer to 400$
http://www.shars.com/products/toolholding-workholding/power-feeds

I see they are offering a nylon gear too. Not quite sure if that's standard part or a replacement option over metal. Guess it might run quieter & not require same lubrication maintenance. Mine is steel, noise is fine as long as the mesh is set proper & stays that way. I use a bearing grease.

Sorry for off topic, but I would like to see ebay speed controller for 12v drill hack. I thought most drills these days were brushless type 3p motors?

 

[petertha]

Sorry I completely missed the has to be mounted in the vertical position
I'm not fond of my horizontal mode either but seems like the only way they package this smaller one that I can see.

 

[mechman48]

I just use a 12 volt windscreen wiper motor with a speed control

Me too, speed controller bought off eBay quite cheaply

 

[Coomba]

I may have to resort to something like that. How does it work, is there enough torque ?

 

[Herbiev]

Those windscreen motors produce a lot of grunt. More than adequate for the hobby milling machines. Can be sourced from the local car yard for around $10. For speed control use something that will handle a few amps like this one
https://m.banggood.com/Wholesale-12...MI0bDbz6y_2AIVyyMrCh21VgbcEAQYAiABEgK0UPD_BwE
I also installed a DPDT switch for forward/reverse and a momentary switch for jogging.

 

[b4dyc]

I did the same as mechman but used a power seat motor. Was cheaper than a wiper motor but tons of torque not sure if a video of mine will show up here?
This video was me trying the theory out


[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqIbxTVjPkA[/ame]

I have boxed it all up now and runs off an old power supply from computer.

 

[john_reese]

Stefan Gotteswinter did an excellent You Tube video on his subject.

 

[mechman48]

Like you arrangement; the clutch mechanism is a novel take on the dog clutch,

 

[Coomba]

I did the same as mechman but used a power seat motor. Was cheaper than a wiper motor but tons of torque not sure if a video of mine will show up here?
This video was me trying the theory out


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqIbxTVjPkA

I have boxed it all up now and runs off an old power supply from computer.

could not see the video

 

[Coomba]

I would invite everyone who has a homemade powder feed to post a video. That would help me, and also others to get some great ideals.

 

[XD351]

Stefan Gotteswinter did an excellent You Tube video on his subject.

He also made a quill feed unit with an arduino powered feed rate display , i made one too and will be making another for the power feed on the mill table .
The arduino code is just a modified tacho code with a few minor changes - the maths to convert the pulse count to rpm is adjusted for the amount of pulses per turn and the digitalwrite command is changed from rpm to feed per minute so the lcd displays the feed rate .

 

[b4dyc]

could not see the video

Must be an issue at your end video shows up on this page and youtube page

(I just tried linking just the address and the video showed up in the preview as well, so not sure what is happening at your end )