CNC retrofit (manual lathe) with X,C milling/driling

[2js4rx7]

Hi From Australia
I'm looking at the option of a retrofit on my Dean Smith and grace manual
lathe.
Looking at the oak board and I'd be aiming for C axis servo and possibly
fitting a driven tool/multiple tool arrangement on the back of the cross
slide for XC milling/driling.
I'm just not sure what sort of work / knowledge is required to configure
the control to suit the extra axis for the X control ?
Thanks dan.
Dan's CNC and fabrication

[Centroid_Liviu]

Adding a C axis on the software side is just a matter of telling the software which axis it will be (full details are in the Lathe Operators Manual). The drive you are using must be capable of switching between an analog speed signal and a position signal.

[2js4rx7]

Ok thanks for the reply
Is this possible with the original 3 phase drive motor with a VFD and a suitable encoder+mechanical/pneumatic brake to hold the axis for milling ?
Or would I need to change it to a specific servo/spindle drive in 1 to replace the original motor.
Another thing is if I started with the acorn this would allow me to drive X,z,C and one other axis to control the milling turret in and out if it's seperate from the X slide function or I could use it to control a y axis slide for offset milling and retain X to move it in.
Is there a 2nd spindle control option to control the milling head for ridgid tapping presume this would require another servo/encoder which puts it into 5 axis's
Thanks again for the response

[martyscncgarage]

Ok thanks for the reply
Is this possible with the original 3 phase drive motor with a VFD and a suitable encoder+mechanical/pneumatic brake to hold the axis for milling ?
Or would I need to change it to a specific servo/spindle drive in 1 to replace the original motor.
Another thing is if I started with the acorn this would allow me to drive X,z,C and one other axis to control the milling turret in and out if it's seperate from the X slide function or I could use it to control a y axis slide for offset milling and retain X to move it in.
Is there a 2nd spindle control option to control the milling head for ridgid tapping presume this would require another servo/encoder which puts it into 5 axis's
Thanks again for the response

You are asking for engineering ideas. You might post over to CNCZONE.COM where others might have done similar things.
With Acorn, you have 4 axis worth of motor control to work with, 8 inputs, 8 outputs and one spindle encoder input.
As far as your spindle motor goes, check with DMM technologies, I believe their AC Servos and DYN4 drives can use both 0-10V input for a spindle and step/dir for position, I have not done it, but that's a converstation to have with them. Let them know you are using ACORN.

Good luck with your project. Sounds quite ambitious. Look forward to seeing pictures of your build.
Marty

[2js4rx7]

Ok thanks Marty.
I have been doing more research and contacting local suppliers to get my head around the options of the spindle control/movement.
May well be too ambitious but I will hopefully be able to make it happen as a millturn lathe to buy is out of my budget for my business currently.
I do however have a massive scale CNC machine shop at my disposal at my fulltime workplace so I feel it is achievable