Lathe to Cam grinder

[tonyfoale]

I have made additions and general improvements to my lathe to enable it to work as a cam grinder when required with minimal setup changes needed to swap between the lathe and grinding functions. The cam grinder is full CNC but with my own dedicated software and controller.

I have unsuccessfully been trying to find the time to prepare a full description for this HMT forum, but many people have been asking for updates so last night (01/02/2025) I made a Q&D video showing it working. Previously I made several detailed Youtube videos showing various modifications to my lathe in preparation.

I will prepare a full description in due course but for now here is a playlist with the detailed videos leading up to this and Q&D version of it working:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...sk70IURgx459iI

Click thumbnail for full size.

[albertq]

Very nice Tony well done. You make it look so simple. Just wish I had your electronics knowledge.

[tonyfoale]

Very nice Tony well done. You make it look so simple. Just wish I had your electronics knowledge.

Complex things become simple when you break them down to small chunks.

[Saltfever]

Your video indicates a resolution of 1,800. Are we missing a zero? (200 steps x 90:1 table ratio = 18,000). I only mention it because I am wondering about the "smoothness" of the lobe. Is 0.020 degrees small enough to create a smooth lobe? I have no experience in this but am very interested. THANK YOU for publishing all of your work.