I’m really enjoying the Microarc 4th axis. Here it is on my PCNC1100 doing second operations on some Delrin VR tracker mounts for a museum exhibit. You can see that I created a riser plate for mounting the Microarc onto the Saunders tooling plate.
I now have a project that requires machining of some longer (steel) stock on the 4th axis. Has anyone created/purchased a suitable tailstock for use with the Microarc?
First off, that is a sweet part!
If your microArc plate is thicker than 0.4" then you can use our medium tailstock (min height 3.5".
Thanks for the positive feedback. Not shown in those photos are the tapered alignment pins that mate with the Vive tracker. Lacking a Slant Pro, those were mill-turned on the PCNC 1100.
Re the tailstock, I actually have the tall version. Unfortunately it ‘s lowest height is above my Microarc’s current centre-line (design flaw #1 with my riser plate) . I never even considered that the tall version might have a “baby brother”.
Thought I’d post an update of the riser block I added to bring the micro arc centreline in range of Tormach’s “tall” tailstock. I’m running some simple tests here, milling scalloped grooves in 12L14.
Ok I really like that chip guard you printed. Frankly, that never even occurred to me but now that I’ve seen it, I want it. Well done!
Ian, here is the Fusion archive for the 4th axis chip guard. In retrospect, I probably would have made it a complete circle.
4th Axis Chip Cover v3.f3d (88.3 KB)
Can you send me .stl file of the chip guard to my email bill@p5designers.com
Nice work, geometry is interesting. Fun cutting plastic. Cleanup is a pain.
Yeah, been working on different tool paths trying to get a handle on things. Redesigned your gaurd with an o ring. Put a drain slot on the backside. My son printed it for me. Waiting on o ring.
I need to find a 3d printer in the uk to print this for me as I am using I big sheet of acrylic to deflect chips and spray. Also wondering what everyone does with the cables as I am pretty sure the coolant will eat the cable in 24 months. As you can see I held mine up with a bungee chord to keep it good as long as possible.
I could mill the guard from a solid $400 block of delrin, or have it printed for $500. Problem is I don’t trust the 3d printing websites to use the right plastic and I don’t want to spend $400 for plastic and mill 87% of it away.
You could buy a cheap 3D printer and print your own for way less than $400. There ought to be a schoolboy or two around with one not too far away.
Since I still use the handle on my MicroARC, I modified @futnuhs design a little to clear that. Thanks for posting it!
$500 to print??!!!
Worst case use hardwood!
Then a good oil based varnish. If it dies in a year make another.
Yeah, that’s too pricey for me too.
Hey Bruce, please consider uploading your updated model (.f3d) here …
I know there are lots of solutions out there but 3d printing attachment for cnc mill. Like a print head that fits a 1100mx tool holder. Anyone know of anything like this? I’m not talking industrial grade, just print something using the already existing tormach x y z with a print head.
Software doesn’t do .f3d.
But here are .stl inch and metric for printing and .stp for whatever.
Had to sand the o ring a bit because I had too much o ring compression. Only %10 but it was too much. I modified these files so they are closer to just riding on the surface. McMaster Carr o ring is
1295N597. Viton, should last forever, almost.
Chip_Guard_Body_mm.stl (407.4 KB)
Chip_Guard_Body_in.stl (54.6 KB)
Chip_Guard_Body.step (29.5 KB)
The step file was .stp I changed it to .step, should work, if not change it back.
2x 0.250"x.625"diam bushings go in the holes. Have to find longer 4mm screws to mount the handle on top.
Used a little silicone dielectric grease to lube things up. Seems to work fine.
You could get a 3d print pen but IMO that would be rather foolish. A dedicated printer isn’t much more costly, is going to be massively faster, no setup time, and will be much more reliable with the inclusion of a heated bed.
Or just ring your nearest neighbor with kids. They already have one, maybe more than one.
