CNC lath conversion

[XEMON]

Hello y'all,

I have an old CNC lathe needing some new electronics.
Anyone converted a lathe to CNC and have some insight on the electronic side?

Im looking at Acorn or linuxCNC ... not sure which way to go ...

If i go liuxCNC, im thinking a raspberry pi 5 as a computer and a breakout board, but wich one?
Acorn seam easier to setup, but the cost is a bit higher, while the vast selection of boards for linuxCNC and possible compatibility issue seam a bit overwhelming/over the top ...

Any insight or pointer would be nice,

Thanks,
X

[DocsMachine]

[cracks knuckles]

Starting back in 2017 or so, I decided to convert one of my lathes over to CNC, because A, I needed one, and B, I couldn't afford a "real" one. (I still can't. ) Oh, and C, I didn't know how to run one (still don't know that one, either ) and figured it was one of the only ways I could solve all three. Probably took me two years, maybe two and a half, of occasional "when I can find the time" to get it ready to cut proper chips, and another year after that to finish the little details.

I ended up using an Acorn, and I'm quite happy with it. I'm told LinuxCNC is pretty good too, but I haven't tried it.

I built mine off a late 50's Logan, and built it so everything attaches and bolts to existing holes. I can switch it back to a manual engine lathe if I ever choose to. Used a first-gen Centroid Acorn, with the then-optional breakout board (or relay board, can't recall what they call it now) and I think I'm three or four generations of software behind. I think I'm on something like 4.5, and they're up to like 5.1 now.

BUT... within the limitations of the machine, it works like a champ, and I've made a few parts with it already.

Some points: I built this thing in part as a bit of a "trainer", and as such, I have the rapids set very low- I think only 50 IPM. The spindle speed is limited to a max of only about 1400 RPM, and thanks to the old fashioned flat belt, you can hear it bog slightly when threading.

But, the conversational is fairly easy for even a doofus like me to operate, the software is literally professional-level stuff and well thought out, and the Acorn can be set up to automatically run all sorts of accessories, like a worklight, a vacuum, a coolant pump, a powered turret, a collet closer, or other goodies.

Overall, I'm quite happy with it, and learning it, even as little as I did, gave me the confidence to buy a 'real' turning center. I still use the Logan on occasion, as it can do longer pieces, thanks to it's tailstock, that the gang-tooled Omniturn can't do.

I wish I could give it flood coolant, and I wish the spindle was faster, but for what it is- and how it was intended- it worked great.

Doc.

[XEMON]

That conversion looks awesome!
what is it missing from your turning center?


What CAD/CAM package do you use?
Do you import the g-code into the Acorn straight from your CAM?

I think i narrowed it down to the Acorn with an old computer or a Pi5 + Mesa 7C81
The Acorn is twice+ the cost an bulky while linuxCNC is cheap and compact but seam a bit more daunting to setup ...

[DocsMachine]

what is it missing from your turning center?

-The Omniturn is a gang-tool machine, and as such, has no tailstock. It's fine for parts out to maybe 3" long, depending on diameter, but any longer is of course just too much overhang.

What CAD/CAM package do you use?

-I've been getting into Fusion 360. Have not tried CAM yet, but that's very high on the list for this coming year.

For a lathe, however, unless the part is fairly complex, it's easy to program in pretty much straight G-code (for the Omni) or in conversational (for the Centroid.)

Do you import the g-code into the Acorn straight from your CAM?

-I've only used conversational in the Logan so far. I only made a few parts with it before getting the Omni, and have since really only used it for simple things like turning blanks to size.

The Acorn is twice+ the cost an bulky while linuxCNC is cheap and compact but seam a bit more daunting to setup ...

-I started out the conversion intending to go with Mach3, and I was convinced later to try LCNC. I am by no means a computer expert, and I found the process a long ways from user friendly.

The Acorn has it's issues too- they still don't have a proper updater, you have to basically upgrade the software 'manually'- but I found the process easier. While I never have Linux running, I saw several demo videos, and I liked the format of the Acorn better.

That said, I'm not a heavy brand loyalist- I know more than a few guys that swear by LinuxCNC, and I'm a long ways from an experienced expert, here.

But, that said, the new Acorn Six seems to have some pretty sweet features, and might be worth a second look.

Doc.

[Mr.]

I have a hyundi hit15 that im planning on retroing later this year with lcnc, i started it but life got in the way. As far as i got its def not as friendly as they make it seem, mabe im just a retard lol

[DocsMachine]

I have a hyundi hit15 that im planning on retroing later this year with lcnc, i started it but life got in the way. As far as i got its def not as friendly as they make it seem, mabe im just a retard lol

-I've toyed with the idea of getting a similar turning center, an older machine that maybe has good iron, but either a nonworking or tool-old control, and retrofitting it with one of Centroid's kits.

Their professional-level stuff, the Oak or the "All in One", ain't cheap- I think the full setup is like $12K. But, those kits also get you new servos, new amplifiers, a complete control, and what I'm told are some pretty detailed installation instructions.

If the machine you get still has good servos and drives, an Acorn could be fitted almost as easily, and for significantly cheaper.

I'd love to hear how your conversion comes out, and how it works for you once you have it up and running. What'd you give for the original machine?

Doc.

[Mr.]

I paid $350 for the machine(local auction) "running" just had a commication problem with the board(yeah after they stole componets) lol, cost me $800 to move(barrowed a telehandler and paid my buddy with a rig and trailer). So i wont be doing to bad after the retro. Iron looks good cleaned it up and got mostly plastic with a lil aluminum from the nooks and crannies.

Should make a good small part machine, it does have a tailstock

[superman]

That should be a fun project. I for see alot of people going down this route in coming years with the crazy cost of more modern machines and the low cost of these older machines. hopefully you will be starting a youtube channel or something to document the process, would be cool to follow along.

[DocsMachine]

I just wish I had used machine suppliers up here, where I could even get a decent used machine like that. Just watched a YT, guy bought an older 40-taper Fadal, didn't need much more than a new monitor, had it up and cutting parts for like $3,000.

Makes me sick.

That said, I have a line on a Hardinge 'superprecision' turning center, low miles, heavily tooled.... $26K. Sure, out of the box today it's a six-figure machine, but on my budget? I'm only about $37K short.

Doc.

[XEMON]

You guys and your big machines ... 🤩 ... I with I had he space ...

The more I'm looking at it and tracking part list and all, the Acorn is really not much more expensive than the Linux stuff and it's designed to fit together ... I think I'll take the easier route and start making scrap pieces sooner 😋

What do you guys use to generate the g-code?
How is it to go from cad part to cam to g-code to chip?

[superman]

Fusion360 should be a free version for hobbyists making under x amount. They have certain features looked via the paid version. I doubt you would get there anytime soon with a converted lathe. I'm sure it is likely live tooling or something bizarre. They do only let you post a single tool path at a time with the hobby version. There are supposedly ways around that though with scripts. Not really sure though. I'd say it's pretty easy to go from fusion to machining. It was harder for me to understand the machine side with properly setting touch offs than getting it to cut something.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mr.]

I find with lathes i hand program alot, i run mostly mazaks nowa days and i like the conversational control. I used to be a haas guy, but thats since changed. Ive used bobcad for quite a bit and now im forcing myself to learn fusion360

[DocsMachine]

You guys and your big machines ...

-Just for the record, I started in a shed, with a worn out mill-drill and a Grizzly 9x20 lathe. I had a bench grinder that was also my polishing machine, about a full dozen endmills, and a fistful of mostly-dull drill bits.

And it's taken me a quarter of a century to get here.

What do you guys use to generate the g-code?

-For the Centroid lathe, I use the built-in conversational, with the "graphing" utility. I'm by no means well experienced with it yet, but it's workable.

For the Omniturn, pure hand-typed G-code in a Notepad page. The manual is actually pretty clear, and it uses a limited set of codes. So for a 2D profile, it's fairly strightforward.

For the Trak mill, I'm getting into the full deal; solid model in Fusion 360, and hopefully eventually post-processing into Trak-compatible G-code.

It was harder for me to understand the machine side with properly setting touch offs than getting it to cut something.

-It was the opposite for me. I had the physical-hardware side down pat. I've always been far more hands-on than abstract-thought, and with my limited computer experience, it was difficult getting a grasp on programming. I still consider myself extremely green at this whole CNC workflow, but I'm slowly getting better.

We all have our strengths.

Doc.

[XEMON]

Thanks for the workflow.
That's where I struggle, my CNC lathe works as CNC, but I need to enter the g-code by hand for each batch. It's rough and clunky ... All the software has been obsolete for over a decade, I don't have a single computer able to run it it's so old ...
The idea of generating the CAM in solid work and load it to the lathe as needed and be able to change the code as I go is extremely appealing ...

[Mr.]

I used like haas alot, very easy to use can cycles and by hand programming you can make the machine do exactly what you want, mazak is different you have to tell it what it wants so you can get it to do what you want lol its like a
Woman