Tiny Parts

JimDawson

JimDawson

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I am making some tiny parts for a customer. What I really want to show here is my setup. They are so small I can't really see what I am doing so my HF inspection camera came to the rescue. Not as much magnification as I would like, but better than my eyeballs and I don't have to have my head down into the works to see it. I wish I had a Hardinge HLV-H toolroom lathe to do stuff like this. But between the HF camera, and the DRO, it works.

I can't actually show the parts due to NDA's, but I can say that they are about 9/16 long and the smallest diameter is about 0.070 Made of 5/8 dia, 303 SS. Could have used smaller material to start with, but I had 5/8 on the shelf. Only takes a couple of minutes to turn it down to the rough size. Holding +0 / -0.0002 on the ODs Final dimension is done with 1000 grit emery and a small file as a backer. The next step in the process is drill & tap a M1.2x0.25 hole in the end. The taps & drill bits look like sewing needles. I'll show that setup when I get to it.

I'm going to buy one of these video microscopes for the next time I do a project like this. https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Micr...41&sprefix=digital+microscope+,aps,211&sr=8-3

These pictures are part way through the roughing out process and don't show any part detail. There are several features that need to be machined into the OD. That tool bit is 0.031 wide. Done on my Jet 13x40 lathe.
1571533143198.png

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Hi Jim,
I like what you're doing there.
I bought a "Pencil" type digital microscope like the one in the link below. I preferred the smaller diameter and without attached display. the output is via a USB cable, I've tested it on my laptop, and am well pleased so far. I'm not sure what I'll end up with for a dedicated display but used tablets are cheap and plentiful.

https://www.amazon.com/Opti-Tekscop...rds=digital+microscope&qid=1571541551&sr=8-33

Good luck with your project.
 
Years ago, before the arrival of low cost digital borescopes, I use a 40x microscope for machining small features. The most difficult was making tapered shoulders on 1/8" o.d. parts as there was no easy way to do it by the numbers so I had to locate the intersection of the shoulder with the neck visually.

Jim, a great idea using the borescope/endoscope

Have you considered adding some exterior optics to magnify your image? I tried a lens a with a focal length of around 6mm and was able to get an estimated 40X magnification. I would think that a lens salvaged from an old digital camera or phone might be a good candidate. Edmund Optics used to be a good source for lenses but they are pricey now. eBay has some lenses with small diameters and short focal lengths.

An easier way my be to use a digital telescope like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Smart-Digi...772127?hash=item3b15709c9f:g:Ga4AAOSwGQ5da5qu
or this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Smart-WIFI...a=1&pg=2334524&_trksid=p2334524.c100667.m2042
The longer focal distance would allow the scope to be located further from the work while still providing ample magnification.
 
I had a scope similar to that where I used to work, used it for inspecting pump and agitator shaft sleeves for cracks or wear. Very cool "off label" use.
 
mikey said:
Hey Jim, you need a Sherline lathe!!
Click to expand...


Swiss lathe https://www.tornos.com/en/content/swiss-type-lathe
I see these at auction at affordable prices now and then (not necessarily Tornos brand, usually citizen)
I have resisted buying one so far as they take up quite an area (gotta have the bar feeder) and figure the learning curve may be difficult to try to learn to run it.
 
rgray said:
Swiss lathe https://www.tornos.com/en/content/swiss-type-lathe
I see these at auction at affordable prices now and then (not necessarily Tornos brand, usually citizen)
I have resisted buying one so far as they take up quite an area (gotta have the bar feeder) and figure the learning curve may be difficult to try to learn to run it.
Click to expand...

One of the job shops we used in Sunnyvale, CA, when asked if he could make a small part for us form Teflon, proved the concept by turning .040" Teflon spaghetti. The particular part was .093", tapered down to .020" over an inch in length. Another was a .2" button with a turned .06" x 3" shaft, terminated with an M1.2 - .25mm single pointed thread in stainless ( I forget the alloy). A third part was in PEEK and he maintained a +/- .0001" tolerance on .25" parts

Amazing machines
 
This should be fun, 0.031 solid carbide end mill. Need to mill some slots in the parts I can't show. :) But I will show the setup later.

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And I just received the drill bits, 1mm
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