FiXeL
11-28-2007, 01:41 PM
Having access to CNC milling machines has its advantages. So what do you do with rails that could lose some fat? Well slap em in a clamp and start milling! :D
My first attempt was ok, but in a way a bit crude:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k65/FiXeL666/DSCN3241.jpg
It's ULE, but due to the time i had to mill it, it's far from perfect. I thought this would be the only rail i would ever mill, so i deleted the program... Hmm, i really wish i didnt do that because last month i got myself a emag with a very massive style rail... :wall:
Oh well, gives me some time to improve on the contours and making it universal for multiple style rails. During work i sometimes have some spare time to do some programming, and i used that for the basis of my variable program to mill out every style rails i ever would come across. The basics are simple milling movements, but i've also incorporated "Q" parameters that can be assigned, added, substracted, multiplied, divided, cause a sub program (label) jump if a Q value is less, greater, equal or not equal to a defined value. You can even write mathmatical formula's with it.
What this means is you can define values at the start of the program to mill out certain stuff. Like: if Q90=90 it will mill a classic style rail, if Q90=91 a RT style rail, and so on. Also you can add things like milling the twistlock pin hole out or not, or drill holes for the front bottle adapter, or a slot. Also pocketing a rail out in multiple steps can be done with parameters, stopping when the desired depth is achieved.
Anyway, due to time limitations i only got to make the program so far for RT style rails, but i saved it so i can always add other stuff later. And the result?
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k65/FiXeL666/DSCN3436.jpg
Not too bad. I left the twistlock pin hole, and added a front bottle adapter slot, and a groove over the twistlock pin for pneu hose. I know i could mill out the part around the sear, but i left it there for sear guidance, and stuctural strength.
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k65/FiXeL666/DSCN3438.jpg
It still has some points that could be improved, but so far i'm sathisfied with the result. So whattaya think? Any comments or suggestions to improve on it are highly appriciated. :hail: I have a classic rail at work that's up next for milling, dunno when i get the time to do that one.
My first attempt was ok, but in a way a bit crude:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k65/FiXeL666/DSCN3241.jpg
It's ULE, but due to the time i had to mill it, it's far from perfect. I thought this would be the only rail i would ever mill, so i deleted the program... Hmm, i really wish i didnt do that because last month i got myself a emag with a very massive style rail... :wall:
Oh well, gives me some time to improve on the contours and making it universal for multiple style rails. During work i sometimes have some spare time to do some programming, and i used that for the basis of my variable program to mill out every style rails i ever would come across. The basics are simple milling movements, but i've also incorporated "Q" parameters that can be assigned, added, substracted, multiplied, divided, cause a sub program (label) jump if a Q value is less, greater, equal or not equal to a defined value. You can even write mathmatical formula's with it.
What this means is you can define values at the start of the program to mill out certain stuff. Like: if Q90=90 it will mill a classic style rail, if Q90=91 a RT style rail, and so on. Also you can add things like milling the twistlock pin hole out or not, or drill holes for the front bottle adapter, or a slot. Also pocketing a rail out in multiple steps can be done with parameters, stopping when the desired depth is achieved.
Anyway, due to time limitations i only got to make the program so far for RT style rails, but i saved it so i can always add other stuff later. And the result?
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k65/FiXeL666/DSCN3436.jpg
Not too bad. I left the twistlock pin hole, and added a front bottle adapter slot, and a groove over the twistlock pin for pneu hose. I know i could mill out the part around the sear, but i left it there for sear guidance, and stuctural strength.
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k65/FiXeL666/DSCN3438.jpg
It still has some points that could be improved, but so far i'm sathisfied with the result. So whattaya think? Any comments or suggestions to improve on it are highly appriciated. :hail: I have a classic rail at work that's up next for milling, dunno when i get the time to do that one.