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What
is the DUET?
A two axis [X cross
slide; Z Longitudinal slide ] CNC Turning Machine and a three axis [X
left to right; Y Front to Back; Z Vertical] CNC Vertical Milling machine.
What
can be made on a DUET?
With
its combined turning and milling capability, the DUET is a very
versatile tool. Boxford can supply a range of projects and there are
many books containing project work. For example;
HOW TO MAKE ANIMATED TOYS by David Wakefield;
Published by Sterling
ISBN 0 943822 94 7
SCALE MODEL CANON by Richard Stewart & Donald Heyes;
Published by John Murray
ISBN 0 7195 3888 2
THIRD BOOK OF WOODEN TOYS by W G Alton;
Published by Mills and Boon
ISBN 0 263 055906
MAKING MECHANICAL MARVELS IN WOOD by Raymond Levy;
Published by Sterling
ISBN 0 8069 7358 7
N.B You are advised to make sure that you have the machine capacity
and materials to produce the projects before buying any of these books.
Other items made on Lathes and Mills include;
- Automata [parts
for]
- Axles
- Cabinet Handles
and Knobs
- Chess Pieces
- Grommets
- Plumb Bobs
- Pulleys
- Punches [for
cutting holes in materials i.e. leather]
- Solitaire Pegs
- Spare Parts for
the Teachers Vintage Car/motorbike
- Weights [for
Scales]
- Badges
- Chess Boards
- Clock Faces
- Desk Tidies
- Gears
- Injection Moulding
Dies
- Jewellery Boxes
- Jig Saws
- Maze Game Bases
- Printed Circuit
Boards
- Profiles
- Sprocket Wheels
- Stamps i.e. for
Names etc
- Stencils
- Vacuum Forming
Dies
In
Milling mode, can the machine cut 3 Dimensional Reliefs?
YES, As with all
Boxford PC machines, the DUET incorporates hardware capable of continuous
3 axis movement and utilises Continuous Path Manufacture allowing large
programs, imported from Major CAD/CAM packages, to be machined extremely
efficiently. This is particularly useful for Rapid Prototyping of 3D
reliefs. Boxford can supply Delcam's
'Artcam Pro' 3D CADCAM software which utilises a simple colour coded
profile definition system making it the ideal 3D entry level package.
What
Kind of Materials can I cut on the DUET?
- Aluminium Free
Machining; Specification.
- Brass Free Machining;
Specification.
- A whole range of
Woods and Plastics can be used including Nylon, Acrylic, TUFSET [A high
quality rigid Polyurethane], DELRIN [Acetal Homopolymer)
What
is Slant Bed Lathe Construction?
Most purpose built
CNC lathes are designed with the cutting tools mounted on sloping/slant
bed. This allows the waste material to fall into the tray and not all
over the tool slides. It is also easier to see the machining process.
How
much room does the machine take?
See the machine
specification in the product range section for a detailed layout drawing.
Don't forget to include room for the Computer, Monitor, Keyboard, and
Printer.
How
strong does my bench need to be?
The machine weighs
52kgs [115lbs] so a substantial bench is required. Boxford offer a colour
matching Workstation with castors. A Cabinet Base with lockable doors
is also available.
How
easy is it to convert the machine from a Lathe to a Mill?
The Milling cutter
holder is secured in the 3 Jaw chuck and the milling vice secured to
the Machine Table using a cam lock system. The machine can be stood
on end to give a true milling machine look. In total the conversion
takes 2 minutes.
Please note the turning tool does not have to be removed from the machine.
What
if the Machine Breaks Down?
All Boxford machines
sold to Educational Establishments on the UK Mainland are covered by
a full three-year parts and labour warranty. After this period we offer
maintenance contracts or you can call us out on an hourly charge basis.
In other Countries/Areas arrangements have been made with our agents.
Please contact us for details.
Does
the machine require any Maintenance?
You only need to
follow the lubrication routine that is stated in the machine manual.
This really means that you must ensure that the slideways are moist
with a suitable lubricant.
What
are the Power Requirements?
For the machine
a standard 13amp socket is fine. However if you are having new sockets
installed, and your budget runs to it, you may want to consider surge/spike
protection for your computers.
How
Safe is it?
All Boxford products
satisfy the current Health and Safety Regulations. We use Fail to Safety
Electrical Interlocks, Low Voltage Control and No Volt Supply Protection.
What
are the Cutting Tools made from?
High-speed steel
(HSS) is used for small-diameter drills, end mills and slot drills.
Turning tools mainly use cemented carbide tools.
Where
are the Electronics?
Some are contained
within the machine housing with the main power supplies being housed
in a separate desk top box which has a seating for a computer monitor.
Can
Designs be sent by e-mail?
Yes using a Standard
e-mail system Designs can be sent to/from the Machines and made into
manufacturing programs. For example try www.dtonline.org
OK
I'm convinced. So what other items should I order with the DUET Lathe?
The basic machine
package includes a large amount of standard equipment, including
- Low volt light,
- 80mm 3 jaw chuck,
- Tailstock with
centre,
- 6 Position programmable
turning toolchanger,
- Quick change
4 position programmable drilling/boring tool changer,
- Turning toolholder
and 5 inserts,
- Parting toolholder
and 5 inserts,
- Length of plastic
bar and wax milling block,
- Quick change
milling vice,
- Milling cutter
holder (6mm),
- End mill 5mm
diameter,
- Allen key and
swarf brush,
- Mains cable,
- Parallel cable
25 way,
- Serial cable
9 way,
- CADCAM software,
- Operating and
programming manuals on CD ROM.
Our price list contains
a number of additional items so you can decide on your own options but
as an example a typical specification for a UK Customer Includes;
- A Boxed Set of
Recommended Turning Tooling Comprising;
- 1 x Right-hand
Turning Tool with 10 inserts
- 1 x External
Thread Cutting Tool with 10 inserts
- 1 x Boring Bar
with 10 inserts
- 1 x Centre Drill
- 2 x Twist Drill
[5mm and 8mm dia]
- A Boxed Set of
Recommended Milling Tooling Comprising;
- 1 x Slot Drill
- 2mm dia
- 1 x Slot Drill
- 3mm dia
- 1 x Slot Drill
- 4mm dia
- 1 x Slot Drill
- 6mm dia
- 1 x Slot Drill
- 10mm dia
- 1 x Ball End
Mill - 6mm dia
- 1 x Spot Drill
- 10mm dia
- 5 x Toolholders
- 6mm dia
- 5 x Toolholders
- 10mm dia
- You may also want
to consider;
- Workstation with
Castors
- Site Licence
Software
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