Cat40 Thread Whirling?

[Matthew Hajicek - Singularity]

Is it possible to threadwhirl on a 5 axis mill?  If so, where would one get the tool?

[meshow_40]

It is possible, just depends on the length of the screw....I've done it with an HSK40 in the past, not sure if they make them for CAT40.

http://www.utilis.com/en/product/multidec-r-/multidec-r--whirling/multidec-r-gewindewirbeladapter-mwa-hsk/335864

[JMahon]

How would you go about programming that on a 5 axis vertical?

[justchips]

I'm thinking tilt to your angle for thread..turn c axis spindle on than tap cycle? WAG

[JMahon]

What about not having a c "spindle" just a c axis rotary

[justchips]

The more i think about it the whirling head would have to move concentric to the centerline of the part at it's helix angle. SO i think this tool is made to be used on a b- head machine tool changing bar-fed mill.

[JMahon]

Couldn't that be done by kicking your "a" axis to said angle and doing a "y,z,c" movement? On like variaxis style setup?

[meshow_40]

When we did the whirling it was on a B-Axis mill turn (Willemin 408MT).  The B-Axis was set to the helix angle of the thread and then we just used a curve machining path (not in Mastercam, it was programmed in Partmaker/Powermill).

 

Below is a link to the simultaneous 5-axis version.  This was not our part but a demo part by Willemin Macodel/Jim Davis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoNdTDrbeAE

[jlw™]

When we did the whirling it was on a B-Axis mill turn (Willemin 408MT). The B-Axis was set to the helix angle of the thread and then we just used a curve machining path (not in Mastercam, it was programmed in Partmaker/Powermill).

 

Below is a link to the simultaneous 5-axis version. This was not our part but a demo part by Willemin Macodel/Jim Davis.

I've never seen a Willemin but dang that was 30 seconds of me cringing waiting on it to wreck. There is minimal clearance for past centerline work in that beast.

[JMahon]

That's pretty slick. I think I

could build one of those fairly easy.

[meshow_40]

They are fantastic machines!  Incredibly accurate and we haven't had many issues with them at all.  The jaws/sheet metal can be tucked under the A-axis a bit more for clearence.  A great machine for something that fits in ~ 1" bar or less. 

[JMahon]

What's the price range on one of those sized machines?

[meshow_40]

We haven't purchased one for a several years but you'll be 500k+ depending on options

[JMahon]

I bet they're nice! I'd love to drive one someday.

[JMahon]

Isn't that video just fancy whiz bang stuff? Aren't most threads on that machine done by tilting to some angle and moving xyzc?

[meshow_40]

Yeah, it was used for a demo at one of the tooling shows.  It would have some application if the thread was not along the X-axis though.