Extended X Rails

[Gary Campbell]

Guys...
Here are a few pics of our latest mod to our ATC machine. We have a project coming up that will require machining a number of tenons off the -X end of the table. Since the 96" machine with an ATC configuration has very little extra X travel to spare, we decided to lengthen the X rails.

I knew we needed a minimum of 3" on the left (-X) end and while we were at it we added 4" to the right (+X) end for a total of 7 inches. This was accomplished by adding a 7" piece of X extrusion, hardened rail, and rail mounting block. We added about 13-14" of rack gear to facilitate mounting. Once the rail was extended, we used a pipe clamp to move the X rails 3" in the -X direction.

This of course, mandated total realignment, leveling and shimming of both X rails. Since I was this far in, I moved the ATC tool holder bar back 4" and up 3". I also built a new Zzero fixed plate and mounted it to the table board instead of on the tool bar, which is the OEM mounting location. This would have to be moved later when we install the 12 tool rotary carousel.

Parts were obtained from ShopBot, McMaster, local hardware store and my stock. All machining done in house. This could be advantageous for those wanting to put in an indexer bay or add fixtures that the OEM rail length wont allow.

[frank134]

Hi Gary.... did you just give shopbot the length you needed and they cut it. That being the x extrusion 80/20, the hardened rail and the rack gear.

Anyway It look like a nice job. you alway trying to improve

[Gary Campbell]

Frank...
No, I did all the cutting, drilling, tapping. They provided the right parts in generic, but ample lengths. BTW the extrusion is Bosch-Rexroth, not 8020.

[david_white]

Hi Gary,
This is something I have been thinking of as well .
Can you tell me what parts you got from sb and mm and how much they cost.
I was considering calling sb but was not sure what to ask for .
Thanks for the great post.

Dave

[Gary Campbell]

David...
I will get with SB next week and see what the "official" answer is to your questions.

In other words, they way I have done something may not be the way that, for liability reasons, they can approve. I can assume there is no liability for parts sales, but I dont know if they stock these parts or I got "stuff" out of the scrap bin.

Are you comfortable doing your own machining, or would you require a "bolt on" kit?

[david_white]

Thanks for the reply Gary .The milling of the parts is not a problem for me any info you can give me would be great .

Thanks Dave

[wberminio]

Gary

Great mod as usual.
I've been thinking of extending my x end also to simplify more work off the x axis.

A "bolt on kit" would simplify my life.

Thanks for posting

[bob_s]

I hesitate to type this, as this discussion thread could go down hill really fast, but:
Add me as another in the "desiring extended length group"

That's nice work as always Gary!
Thanks

[david_white]

lets face it all us 96x48ers have 60x120 envey.

[Gary Campbell]

Guys...
I have an email into the crew at SB requesting info on:
If they have these parts (in stock)
If they wish to sell a retro kit to extend the PRS
and if so, how much the parts Kit would be.
with or without machining would be their option.

If parts are available, and if their current production requirements do not allow the cutting and/or machining of the parts, I will offer to make a number of these for the short term, until they can get specs into their normal supply chain. This assumes a positive reaction on the part of SB.

It may help if those interested that have not expressed an interest in an extension kit, would do so.