A two axis cnc machine with a manual quill can generate
a three axis program, if you have time and patience
Just use the single block mode, and you control the Z depth.
Old school, real old
Old school
Moderator: Harold_V
Re: Old school
In the early 2000s I equipped my University of Washington (UW) Mechanical Engineering shops with three Southwestern Industries TRAK 2-axis CNC milling machines.
https://www.southwesternindustries.com/ ... -retrofits
The mills were Taiwan Bridgeport clones, actually more rigid than traditional Bridgeport mills.
(I have a similar one [manual] for my home shop.)
With manual Z axis control, the the X-Y axis CNC TRAK mills were the perfect learning machines for my students.
They annually machined nationally winning race cars in my Shops.
I really wish I could have acquired a TRAK mill for my home shop. Above my budget, though.
I used these UW machines to mill the Stephenson valve links for my Allen Ten Wheeler.
Such a simple operation for these mills! I miss access to them.
~RN
https://www.southwesternindustries.com/ ... -retrofits
The mills were Taiwan Bridgeport clones, actually more rigid than traditional Bridgeport mills.
(I have a similar one [manual] for my home shop.)
With manual Z axis control, the the X-Y axis CNC TRAK mills were the perfect learning machines for my students.
They annually machined nationally winning race cars in my Shops.
I really wish I could have acquired a TRAK mill for my home shop. Above my budget, though.
I used these UW machines to mill the Stephenson valve links for my Allen Ten Wheeler.
Such a simple operation for these mills! I miss access to them.
~RN