CNC Lathe Digitizing

[Gary Campbell]

Guys...
I am in the process of building an Acorn Controlled CNC Wood Lathe. Mostly with the commercial game call turner in mind. One of the "asked for" options is the ability to digitize existing call profiles. This short video is proof of concept. A bit of fine tuning to go in the next few days and then cutting of the digitized profiles will commence.

https://youtu.be/aocMJ00ivvs

[Brady Watson]

Pretty sweet!

True to form, it looks like you're "buildin' it right" with all the production add-ons.

That thing will be a real money maker.

[David Falkner]

Very nice looking setup, Gary! When will you test it cutting parts?

David

[Gary Campbell]

David...
I am already testing it, I just am getting feeds and speeds dialed in. I'm shooting for under 2 minutes per call cycle time. 30 per hour. I'll post video when I get it "happy"

[Gary Campbell]

Here is part 2, or actually a start to finish of the process. I still have some final adjustments to the tool lengths, feed rates and some of the macro actions to make, but for the most part the project is viable. AND FUN!!! Looks like a production cycle with proper length blanks would yield one call in under 3 minutes, ~20 per hour.

https://youtu.be/C7b7He0mtxk

[David Falkner]

Very nice, Gary, very nice! In production can you capture most of the shavings/chips/dust?

David

[Gary Campbell]

David...
Yes, but that will be last when I get a good feel for what the purchasers needs will be. Those were the first cuts on the machine, lots of testing and tuning to go.

[Brady Watson]

Wow - that's gorgeous!

Extra points for starting with a wobbly blank - that's reality!

[richard newman]

That's a very cool machine and process Gary. What kind of cutting tools are you using? Would the production model have a cnc controlled tool turret or require an operator to make tool changes?

[Gary Campbell]

Thanks Brady...
Don't know if I could drill one straight if I had to.

Richard...
Those are a combo of Easy Wood Tools and some special inserts I buy with a bit more aggressive rake angle. If the purchasers want to add the cost of a turret changer, I would add one. Nothing should hold you back but your imagination.


and checkbook!

[Gary Campbell]

To answer a number of emails regarding this machine and machining time per call, I have included that in this video along with showing some of the features:

https://youtu.be/mNjsBU9pcmo

[David Falkner]

I'll say it again - pretty neat setup, Gary! I like the feature set on this, good job all the way around.

David

[Brady Watson]

Looks to me like it can make $200-500 in calls per hour if you know what you're doing.

Not many other ways for y'all knuckle draggers to make that much money legally...Not unlesson you win the lottery or something

[Gary Campbell]

I'm going to have to practice a bit before I get rich turning acrylic calls!

https://youtu.be/mc2i3wtlgU4

[richard newman]

Hey Gary, what holds the blank securely on the mandrel?

I have no experience turning acrylic, but the little plastic I've turned cut way different from wood. Ideal tool geometry and feeds & speeds for that stuff must be different from wood.