New ELS-fitted Lathes from Amadeal

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Electronic lead screw (ELS) systems are becoming increasingly popular. Readers of the next issue of ME&W will see that Amadeal’s advert features a Weiss lathe with an ‘electronic change gear system’ i.e. an ELS.

Apparently the ELS version of the 210 lathe has been popular, and now EL250, EL550 and EL750 machines with a 38mm spindle bore will be arriving at the end of May.

We hope to carry some more information on these machines in the magazine soon.

Neil

 

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Surprised it has taken so long. They found a variable speed motor was cheaper than back gear years ago so now have saved on change gears while adding versatility. I wonder if it does BA threads as I have just been compiling a table of changegears for a friend’s EXE lathe.

Leadscrew is next to go as a stepper on the saddle engaging the rack will save on threaded rod.
As an aside since some will say the rack is not ‘precision’; in industry since microprocessors became common it has been normal to compensate for errors with a table of errors after a calibration process. This has enabled laboratory grade standards to be moved into the workplace, especially in electronic measuring instruments since the early eighties.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

It is just a case of entering TPI or Pitch so BA should not be a problem.

[simondavies3Participant @simondavies3]

One of the best things I did to my lathe a couple of years back when I fitted Clough42’s version of an ELS.
Now I don’t think twice about cutting a thread, whereas in the past it was weighed up against the hassle of assembling the change wheels then dismantling and returning to the auto feed setup.

Simon

[Pete.Participant @pete-2]

The night before you posted this I was watching a video about factories in China closing down and selling off machinery to downsize because of tarrifs being brought in, and I thought to myself what could they do to inavate a bit to encourage sales and thought adding an ELS would probably be one of the best things they could do,  having access to all the parts dirt cheap and the gear trains on these little lathes often being one of their worse features being a bit clunky and noisy,  then saw this and had no idea they were already doing it,  it’s probably the best thing they’ve done to upgrade these machines.</p>
I bet they’ll sell really well I’d definitely get one if I was in the market for a small benchtop machine, good to see a bit of innovation for the hobby user I think it’s a great idea.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

It’s a pity they decided to mount the ELS control panel where they did, looking at the video the guy is either on his knees, has a very tall bench or is a midget. Given the failing eyesight and arthritic condition of a lot of Model Engineers surely they should have had it towards the top and angled towards the user?

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

It will be fine when they bring-out the App, Jason

🙂

MichaelG.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Ah but the old Bu88ers won’t use modern phones. Though it would allow threading from the arm chair😈

The photo of the 250E-550 to give it it’s correct name has the control panel on the slant where the speed readout usually goes which is better but the speed readout seems to be completely missing which is not so good😮

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I should point out that Neil has listed completely the wrong machine ref numbers, the EL series lathes are quite a bit different to those with just the Electronic lead screw which are designated with just an E after the swing and will not currently be imported by Amadeal.

[JasonB]

On JasonB Said:

It’s a pity they decided to mount the ELS control panel where they did…

I guess the designer would argue putting the controls there is acceptable because ELS settings don’t often change.  Or it’s a sales gambit – always leave your audience wanting more!

I agree though: my ideal lathe would combine DRO and ELS controls on a pendant I can move to suit.  Perhaps such will be my reward in the great workshop in the sky.  Or, considering my evil past, perhaps I’m fuel for Satan’s firebox…

🙂

Dave

 

[lukeama123Participant @lukeama123]

Spot on Jason the AMABL250E does have it higher up but no read out which we our working with the suppliers to find a way to have both fitted & in a more ideal position for customer use.

This is the first Batch of The AMABL250E coming in May but the AMABL210E we have already had a batch they sold really well & customers seem to be impressed with them from the feedback we have had.

We will also be getting the AMABL250E with 2 Axis DROs fitted.

Regards

Luke

Amadeal Ltd

[BazParticipant @baz89810]

All well and good embracing all this modern technology but what happens when the magic smoke escapes and the electrics are fried, I think I will stick to changewheels, sometimes the old ways are the best!

[SillyOldDuffer]

On SillyOldDuffer Said:

On JasonB Said:

It’s a pity they decided to mount the ELS control panel where they did…

I guess the designer would argue putting the controls there is acceptable because ELS settings don’t often change.

 

As it also controls the cutting feed rate and direction it will be needed far more than it would for just screw cutting. For my type of us ethat woul dbe a real big disadvantage, others may find it less so.

[baz]

On baz Said:

All well and good embracing all this modern technology but what happens when the magic smoke escapes and the electrics are fried, I think I will stick to changewheels, sometimes the old ways are the best!

I don’t see reports of all those that have fitted their own home brew versions complaining of them going pop. Lets face it they ares all likely using steppers and encoders from China so quite likely almost identical parts.

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

You don’t need a spindle seed display AND a ELS display. The ELS has a spindle sensor so can display the speed. My ElectronicleadscrewEU one does…

Robert.

[JasonB]

On JasonB Said:

On baz Said:

All well and good embracing all this modern technology but what happens when the magic smoke escapes and the electrics are fried, I think I will stick to changewheels, sometimes the old ways are the best!

I don’t see reports of all those that have fitted their own home brew versions complaining of them going pop. Lets face it they ares all likely using steppers and encoders from China so quite likely almost identical parts.

Additionally you are much less likely to break mechanical bits when you drive a stepper driven saddle into the stops than with gear driven. That includes frangible keys and shear pins.

Robert.

[baz]

On baz Said:

All well and good embracing all this modern technology but what happens when the magic smoke escapes and the electrics are fried, I think I will stick to changewheels, sometimes the old ways are the best!

Do what you want but my ELS is a game changer. Reminds me of my dear late mother, she wanted a microwave but insisted on a clockwork timer as she couldn’t cope with the new digital buttons.

Tony

[Robert Atkinson 2]

On Robert Atkinson 2 Said:

You don’t need a spindle seed display AND a ELS display. The ELS has a spindle sensor so can display the speed. My ElectronicleadscrewEU one does…

Robert.

Thanks Robert looking at the video again I can just make it out top right of the display.

[lukeama123Participant @lukeama123]

I have linked below a video of the AMABL250E for anyone who is interested in seeing it.

Luke

Amadeal Ltd

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Luke, I saw you scroll through common metric pitches, is it possible to enter an actual number say for example 0.809mm if cutting 2ba or 11.5tpi for pipe threads?

[lukeama123Participant @lukeama123]

That video was from the someone at the weiss factory so ill have to ask them or when the machine arrives here take a look for myself.

Regards

Luke

[David SeniorParticipant @davidsenior29320]

If I was in the market for a new lathe I would certainly be interested in this functionality. Whilst I have no idea of the relative costs of mechanical gearing systems compared with stepper motors and electronics, I would have hoped there might be a financial saving. As it is I have fitted a Rocketronics ELS to my Raglan 5″ and think it is wonderful.

Dave

[Author]

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