Myford ML10 - ELS
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- Having had a very busy last year, the shop-time and covering of my current projects has been somewhat limited. That said, I have done some more work to the drive system on my Smarty 3-in-1 machine and continued the lengthy process of restoring the Saacke UW1 universal grinder.. into scraping parts now so there will be videoes later. I have also restored another 3 Myford ML7/Super7's this year.
However, I am now back to my extensively modified ML10. I have covered the majority of the restoration process before, but as there are changes, I will document these here.
In the end I bought a complete original drive system, including the standard "motorizing assembly" with covers etc. and a 1/2hp 1 phase motor ie. instead of using a more "sophisticated" treadmill-motor system. This also led me to discard the granite plate as it did not fit well with the motor mounting. BTW, the machine is an early model and the top speed is (only) 898 rpm.
I had some epoxy left over from the 3-in-1 bed project, so used this here. This adds weight and to some extent stiffen the bed, making it a little less likely to vibrate and move. The bed rests on a cork gasket material and the mounting bolts to the platform is not tightened unneccessarily hard.
The application of Rulon glideway material on the underside of the saddle as well as scraping and fitting all mating surfaces (saddle, cross- and top slides ,tailstock foot and bed) ie. all moving parts is also covered before.
I reverted to a standard manual cross-slide for now as I wasn't pleased with how the X-axis system/motor I made worked. I guess I will get back to this later as the Rocketronics controller allows for full ie. 2 axis cycle control. Also changed the position of the Z-drive motor to fit behind the bed instead of in front.
As I consider the major change from a standard machine is the addition of a Rocketronics ELS system in favor of the gear train, this is also the main reason to show in this video along with some testing. As said, in this case I have only motorized the longitudenal axis, although the Rocketronics system allows for the cross-feed as well. This mod involves, in all it's simplicity, to add a stepper motor (or hybrid stepper) to run the leadscrew motion and have an encoder to read the spindle rpm, along with the controller (in this case an ELS3 from Rocketronics). The system also allows for a dis-engaging the motor(s) to enable manual feeds and use of the machine. The leadscrew is also replaced (although not needed for the mod it was a bit worn) and I have added a ball bearing to the left-hand side as there is now (to some degree) a pulling action from the (timing) belt drive to the stepper motor. To minimize the backlash I also added a double set of needle thrust-bearings on the right hand side.
Other changes include a link-belt for the spindle drive, a modified tailstock as I also did on the last ML7 (I covered this earlier), which offers the benefit of a tool ejector.
I have included some cutting tests, plain turning with a couple of different tools as well as threading. As the ELS system allows easier/faster threading (in my eyes), I run the spindle faster and use light cuts. A traditional threading setup with the topslide set at 29 degrees and using this to feed in is probably not neccessary, but I do tests with this setup as well as "plunge cutting" with the corss-slide. (I know the tool has an incorrect tip angle, just used for demo here). Admittedly I see I do some mistakes and to assist in setting the tool correctly, I am setting zero with the cross-slide and have the dial indicator to assist in that. I am using the middle ungeared speed (528rm) as this seems to be the best compromise for torque and "efficiency". In this semi-automatic setup you have to withdraw the tool after each pass. A warning is given and "extract tool" displayed for a given user-defined waiting period, which I have set at 1.5 seconds, to allow for winding the cross-slide out before the tool is returned to the start-position. Then set cross-slide in again and set cutting depth with top-slide for another pass. In other words, just as the ususal approach! If both axis are motorized and controlled, full cycle-control is achieved and you specify how many passes you want (remember what is the practical max. infeed for your machine!), say divide into 20 passes (last one is then a finishing pass ie. shallow) and hit start. Another advantage of a 2ch system for threading is that you can set different "cutting strategies" for example one that mimics the use of an angle-set top slide. In essence, there is no longer any need for the top slide as you can do all tapers and form cutting with the automatic cycle-control programs. This means you can have a more sturdy "solid" tool-post directly onto the cross-slide.
All in all, I am VERY pleased with how the Rocketronics ELS system works and would heartily recommend this "conversion" to anyone.
I'll never go back to change gears after doing the ELS on my bench lathe.
I'm glad you're doing well, and still inclined to share your work with all of us!
That is great to hear! Thnks also for the nice comments. I have been uploading to FB and my Norwegian YT channel and admittedly lagged on the updates here. As written elsewhere, I am totally not into "monetization", hence not "forced" to upload frequently nor chasing maximum number of subscribers, rather doing this purely as help and inspiration to others and therefore also want to be able to answer each and every comment as there is lots to be learnt from interacting with fellow "hobbyists". Merry Xmas to you!
Great work Jan. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Thnks and thnks the same!
Thanks Jan,I am getting more and move tempted to try a ELS system, its a bit of a pain changing gears back and forth.
Merry Christmas.
You're welcome! Yes, you won't regret it. Thanks the same!
Hi Jan nice video as usual, I have Myford ML10 with two stage Rocketronics that I did a couple of years ago best thing I have done apart from adding Newton Tesla 3 phase motor & vfd so no belt or gear changing anymore, I fitted everything without drilling any extra holes.
Just had an update to the Rocketronics giving an extra decimal place and imperial thread without conversion to metric, it’s taking a bit of getting used to.
Hi there, thanks for chiming in! Sounds great re. the 2 axis ELS.. doyou have some pics/videos to share? I am curios how you mounted the X-axis motor ie. in forn or back, geared/belt drive or direct (in-line).
Oh.. Louis has released the V13 software? Wasn't paying attention so had not noticed. Well, good! I had an earlier test version installed, but reverted to V12.. must have been a couple of years back now. However, I will surely try again!
Sure it is a real benefit having a 3phase motor run via a VFD.. I also (mostly) adopt this (if i can).
@ not the best video but here is my setup, I fitted the Z stepper in the same place as you on a bracket bolted to original holes on motor bracket & the X stepper on rear of crosslide direct drive via a flex coupling.
ruclips.net/video/CWqIbP4mnh0/видео.htmlsi=ITGt6euFocmfBYZB
@@torsiondell Thnks! I apologize, but I see I have looked at your channel (and commented) before, but didn't remember before I wrote you here.
Anyway, You might want to add another video or put in a comment that you have installed the Imperial version of the Rocketronics software. I am not sure if this is common knowledge namely.. :)
great work thanks for the video
Thnks for the nice comment!
Merry Christmas Jan
Thnks the same!
Cool..!!!!
You there too? Thnks! No money in this (I steer away from monetization etc., ie. not being a "regular" YT'er) and I want to keep this solely as a hobby. The principal "pay-back" for me is to inspire others.. and certainly be able to excel beyond my abilities.
That said, I actually think I am better at this than "at my paying job".. haha
@@jansverrehaugjord9934 maybe time for a professional change/upgrade :):)
@@mrosmolen Well, I think one needs to put a heck of a lot more effort into YT'ing than I do.. maybe also including have a younger, better looking person to present the work .. haha