>
> Hello All,
>
> I've been looking at options to minimize the Z-axis drop on my Micro-mark mill. I've read plenty about gas lifts and counterweights. In both cases, the upward force is close to the vertical column. No matter how well the gibs are adjusted, any play is magnified and the spindle end can still tip down a tiny bit.. My thoughts are if I apply the lifting force (via a counterweight) near the spindle, this will practically eliminate any Z-axis play, even more so than a gas spring or counterweight nears the gibs.
>
> Any thoughts? Am I out in left field?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Karl
>
This may have been mentioned before but if an air spring, cable, or strap cannot be aligned with the headstock CG vertical axis, balance can still be obtained by positioning the top of the air spring/cable/strap at an angle from vertical. Generally, the farther the mounting point is from the CG the greater the angle.
There is not enough space inside the column to mount an air spring at the perfect angle but any angle is an improvement over a vertical air spring. I recently uploaded MiniMillModifications.pdf to the files section showing how I angled the air spring along with other modifications that have been useful to me. An angled air spring is not the best solution but a compromise like many of the other methods that have been tried.
MB
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GrizHFMinimill/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GrizHFMinimill/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
GrizHFMinimill-digest@yahoogroups.com
GrizHFMinimill-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
GrizHFMinimill-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/