On Aug 17, 9:48*pm, Cross-Slide wrote:
On Aug 17, 9:37*pm, Ignoramus11933 ignoramus11...@NOSPAM.



11933.invalid wrote:
As I was messing around with text engraving, I realized that it would
be very cool to have a high speed spindle.

There is, apparently, a wide variety of purpose made and adapted
devices that are used for this:

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCHighSpeedSpindleAddOn.htm

The best so far, looks to be this:

* *http://www.cnccookbook.com/img/Other...lantManifold_1...

This is a Bosch Colt palm router attached to the quill. It seems to be
nicely made, and low profile.

In my case, I can use a changeable toolholder to do the attaching, so
that it is easy to take off:

* * *http://www.shars.com/products/view/1...nd_Mill_Holder

This way, I could run a 1/8" end mill at 30,000 RPM, without using the
main mill's spindle bearings. I would use a brake to hold this
assembly in the quill.

It would be, as I said, a quick change setup, easy to be swapped
out. I would just need to figure out a safety interlock mechanism, so
that the main spindle would not be turned on accidentally with this
thing mounted.

It would seem that a holder is easy to make from 6061 or some such,
and the whole project can be done under $200.

I engraved some text yesterday, which took something like 19
minutes. I did it at 2,400 RPM. At 30,000 RPM, it could take only 1.5-2
minutes.

i

Mount the high speed spindle along side the main spindle.
When you need to use the high speed spindle, remove the tool from the
main spindle, and lower it until the high speed spindle reaches the
part. If it is just for engraving. putting a tool back into the main
spindle, and the high speed might not reach the part, it depends on
the job, and the setup, etc.

I once saw a machine where the high speed Precise Spindle was mounted
off to the side, and on a separate slide..
It *could be extended down with air, to an adjustable stop. or
retracted. All mounted on a small linear slide assembly.

To be more precise.. ( no pun intended) The extra slide was mounted to
the side of the main spindle. So the Z axis moved both spindles up and
down, but the high speed could be retracted or extended.