A rotary table for the milling machine helps to expand the processing capabilities of complex materials. The angular displacement of the part allows the tool to process surfaces in one automatic cycle. This achieves significant cost savings by reducing productivity time.
pros
A rotary table for a milling machine eliminates the need for readjustment to produce one part. Reduced labor and downtime costs. No additional clamping required.
The accuracy of the contours and elements of the part is not inferior to the conventional processing method. In order to save money, you can buy a rotary table for a used milling machine. However, specialists will be required who can coordinate the movements of the axes.
Ready-made solutions eliminate the need for improvements. Equipment with a rotary table for the milling machine can immediately be put into production. Modern software shells make the process of creating codes intuitive and easy to understand even for those who have never dealt with complex electronics.
Manufacturing options
The rotary table for the milling machine is sold in various designs to help solve the unique requirements of manufacturers. The base and bearings of expensive products are able to withstand a weight of several tens of tons. Elements are made of high-strength material - special steel.
For rotating workpieces, a special balanced CNC rotary table is used for the milling machine. This design uses angular contact bearings that are preloaded. There are single-axis and multi-axis versions.
Constructive
You can make a rotary table for the milling machine with your own hands, but this will not be easy when high positioning accuracy is required. After all, this can be achieved only if you use a servomotor. Accordingly, you will need to configure the drive electronics, supplement software improvements. To do this, you will need at least a specialist technician for CNC systems.
The tilting table of the milling machine has the following main parts:
- Flat washer - the workpiece is placed directly on it. It is made of high alloy steels, durable for high loads and resistant to temperature extremes, inactive to coolants.
- Pre-loaded angular contact ball bearing - bears the main load during rotation during processing.
- Worm pair - the accuracy of rotation depends on this node. In the manufacturing process, diagnostics are applied at the tooth measuring center.
- Brake discs - keep the axles from turning. Made of alloy steel.
Opportunities
Dynamic systems have two rotation axes:
- one can move 360 degrees relative to the center in the axis of rotation of the tool, more often it is the Z coordinate;
- 120 degrees - movement along the swing axis of the structure.
To hold the part, a collet clamp can be used: manual or pneumatic. Also used are vacuum systems operating on the principle of a suction cup. The advantage of the latter is the ease of changing the workpiece without clamping devices.
The rotation speed can reach 1000 rpm, which can significantly speed up the processing of parts. To protect the moving parts, a bakelite panel is used. If the tool contacts unexpectedly, the automatic cycle will stop.
Versatility
Inclined designs can be mounted on classic systems. To do this, the design provided for the installation of a single-axis controller GSA +. Electronics is connected via standard interfaces. Management is implemented by transmitting M-codes.
Any classic three-axis machine can easily be converted into a five-axis system. Minimal changes are made to the design, positioning sensors are often added, the type of clamping device is chosen:
- Manual drive
- Pneumatic.
- Hydraulic.
Inclined pallet can be used for ordinary processing operations. When required, control is activated through the CNC commands and continues to work further. It is convenient to produce complex products on five-axis systems: helical grooves, fan blades, and are widely used for circular milling.
Varieties
Inclined products differ in type of fixture fastening, shape, speed of rotation. Depending on the shape of the workpiece, a certain type of surface is used. Slotted are recommended for small workpieces with a large number of holes. Lattices are necessary for working with products from which a closed adjacent surface can be obtained. A vacuum is created in the resulting space, due to which the part is retained.
In order to increase productivity, equipment is often supplemented by an automatic pallet changer. The number of the latter is limited only by the surrounding space in the room. All operations are carried out on one command from the CNC system.
The installation accuracy of the pallet and the structure itself does not exceed 0.02 microns. Similar requirements apply to the faceplate surface. To select the most optimal option, they are guided by the following criteria: the thickness of the faceplate, the presence of T-shaped grooves and surface dimensions. Also consider pallet connection options.