C Axis Lathe

[gipepic]

Hi,

I am considering the MASSO G3 for a 5 axis swiss lathe. The documentation page seems to miss a lot of critical info for lathe retrofitting. The new "CNC LATHE CONTROLLER (MASSO G3)" seems like a good option but I need to know more.

Can the MASSO index the lathe spindle for (X,Y,Z,A,C) 5 axis? The Z axis spindle would need to be able to run at a given RPM, stop, the index as the C axis.

Is there tool change support for a mill-turn (head/head) style of machine? The milling spindle would need to rotate about the A or B axis and then move on a linear axis to get into the tool change position.

Can tools be ganged on a turret? Some turret locations might have 2 or more tools.

Is there control for a second spindle/live tools for lathe milling operations? I've attached a picture of this style of lathe operation.

Thanks!

 

[masso-support]

@gipepic the MASSO G3 hardware is designed to run the spindle in indexing mode (C axis) but at this stage the software does not support that and just like any other feature, it will depend on how many users need a feature and thats what gives priority to the development work.

 

[gipepic]

That is too bad. The lathe guys would be all over this if you added in C axis support.

How about my other questions?

 

[ecs]

@gipepic - masso only has a very small lathe following. Most are routers, plasma and mills.

 

[gipepic]

Hi ECS,

Masso has a "Lathe" controller listed on the product page so they are at least marketing to lathe builders. I see this as a low-cost option that can take market share from the name brand retrofit controls.

I will wait for an official response from a MASSO team member. These are relevant questions I would like answered before I spend a bit of money

 

[ecs]

@gipepic - Yes it is a low cost controller so it'a limited to what it can do. I dont think masso can do alot of the things you're asking. I do know the gang tooling question was asked the other day and the answer was masso can't do it.

It probably doesn't support the gcodes you would need for half of the things you would want to do. Check the cheat sheet out - https://www.masso.com.au/forums/topic/masso-cheat-sheet/?part=1

 

[masso-support]

Lathe controllers are a big part of our sales after mill/router controllers. Regarding having a certain feature added, it's done based on what features most people are requesting because we get hundreds of requests and prioritize the new development work based on what's required most.

The spindle indexing will definitely happen in the future software upgrades and that is why the G3 hardware is designed at this stage the user numbers requesting this feature is very small. Things such as dual spindle control will not be available as this is something not many of our targeted market segment users will use.

 

[madscientist]

im definatey in favour of a true C axis being available with the Lathe controls.

 

[evermech]

I would advise one of you guys to start a thread on feature request section of forum if you want to try to get support for this function.

Guy

 

[vtcnc]

Is there any update from Masso on the following features?

1. C-axis spindle indexing for plane switching? ala OmniTurn?
   
2. Gang tooling support?
   

Thanks,

Bryan