Originally Posted by justgary  I don't think I would focus on feed rate quite so much unless you are into serious production, in which case you are probably looking at the wrong class of machines. |
I'll likely catch flak for saying this, Just Gary, but if the Mikini had a 10-12krpm primary spindle to go with its linear guides and 100+ipm movement and a good TTS holder assortment for its $10+k price, and if I didn't already have the Tormach, I'd be thinking hard about the choice. 90% of what I do fits on the 5" vise, and 1/4" endmill is a big rougher for a lot of what I do. The Mikini is a joke though with its 5krpm spindle--fast rapids are nice and good, but without a fast spindle that's all the fancy schmancy linear ways are good for. And with its restrictive enclosure, there probably isn't room for an auxiliary spindle to the side like the Tormach so ably can use with its large working envelope.
I do 3D profile finishing at up to 30ipm if the contours are gentle--no square corners etc., but rarely go below 20ipm for profiling. But that's in brass and plastic and some aluminum, no steel...
Randy