System for adopting a manual lathe for use with a computer controlled milling machine

摘要

A machining system comprised of a computer controlled milling machine and a manual lathe mounted on the mill table provides an improved combination that will be advantageous for many machining operations. The machining system preserves the full functionality of both machines and allows them to work cooperatively together. The computer control capability of the milling machine can be used to machine complex surfaces on a workpiece rotating in the lathe. The workpiece can also be locked in a given rotational position so that traditional milling operations can be performed by the computer controlled milling machine. By sensing the rotational speed and position of the workpiece the system is able to provide the functionality of a computer controlled lathe at a fraction of the cost. The lathe can be easily and accurately mounted on the mill and easily removed from the mill to serve as a fully functional independent machine.