Sunday, January 30, 2011

Simple Tramming Tool - Design Stage

I'm supposed to be busy today, but I'm not.  Most of the preparation work for the reunion dinner earlier tonight was done by my mother-in-law and the helper.  I spent a few hours in the shop trying to tram the mill after the incident the night before.

It was tough this time.  Couldn't seem to get the tilt right for both front/back and left/right.  Just don't understand why it was so difficult this time round.  After struggling for quite a while, I've the front and back giving me almost the same reading (< 0.01mm off).  Left and right tilt is still off.

I thought of the tramming tool made by John (bogstandard) and would like to make one myself.  I would like to keep it very simple, given my current level of skill (or lack of).  I've 2 digital dial indicators bought last year from CTC Tools right after reading John's thread on MadModder.net.  Some measurements of the DDI were taken.  I initially thought of using simple geometries to represent them to work out the dimensions of the holder which I'll be making but 3D Content Central came to the rescue.  They've a 3D model of a Mitutoyo DDI that is pretty close in dimensions as mine!

After tweaking the downloaded model and added the mounting plate, I completed the simple model of the fixture:





With the DDIs:


I've to keep the DDIs close together as the width of my table is only 70mm.  The distant between the centre point of the tips is 65mm.

Hope to start work soon....

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Wong,

I just got my mill from mike less than a month ago, learned a lot from your post. Still in the the process of getting things to work.

I am also trying to find better ways to tram the mill.. Here are the commercial options.

http://www.edgetechnologyproducts.com/pro-tram-system.html
looks good and cheap and decently priced. I am going to order it.

http://www.cartertools.com/nanotram.html
this looks good too..

Regards,
terence

Wongster said...

Hi Terrence,
Good to see another SG fella in this hobby. I'm arranging for a meet up at Kalantan Lane after CNY with Tang Kee and Steve Wan. Laksa and TCSS.

The tramming tool should be easy to make. It just a holder of 2 indicators. I just left Mike's place, collected the ER spindle, high speed pulley, and a couple of boring bars. He also bought for me some aluminium stock to make the tramming tool. I've everything now to start work, but not the time... 

If you're new to machining and need help, just give me a shout. Will try to help as much with my limited knowledge

Regards,
Wong

Anonymous said...

Ha. I am suppose to go pick up the tacho from mike, but can't make it cause I was caught up with work and picking my son up from school.

I will pm you my contact @ daddy hobby.

Till date I have more misadventure than success, too many unknown and conflicting know how on the net.

The biggest boo boo is when I blew the digispeed, modio, motor and controller.
Well, expensive magic smoke.

Be very careful when installing the 10k rpm pulley, the tolerance is very tight, mine got stuck and I am not able to remove it anymore.

Regards,
Terence

Wongster said...

Ah... The tach sensor is yours... Saw it there. Bought that sometimes' back. Have not install (one of those things I bought bit have not started using)

Bought the highspeed pulley today. Need to ease the preload nut in the spindle a little. Go talk to Mike. He is good. He fixed up my Proxxon bandsaw when I let the smoke out.

Regards,
Wong

Anonymous said...

Yes, that is mine..lol..

I fitted pulley into the the spindle and it got stuck, I spent 1 whole night pushing it back in. you can see the scratches on the spindle.

Just be careful and go very slow when installing or removing it..

Regards,
Terence