Hello.

Would appreciate your opinion on this machine that I am considering purchasing. There is a choice of Controllers such as GSK, Siemens, Fanuc & Mitsuibishi....

Anyone have one of these or know someone who has...

Look forward to your replies

Cheers

Frans

Here are the specs.

Detailed Product Description
Working table size 1000 x 300mT slot width x num. X gap16 x 3 x 80mmMax loading weight on worktable120kgsDistance between spindle nose and table25-425mmDistance between center and column345mmMax. jig travel(X/Y/Z)600 x 360 x400mmSpindle taperBT30Max. spindle speed6000rpmMain motor power2.2/3.7KWFeeding motor power(X/Y/Z)1KWRapis feeding speed(X/Y/Z)15/1510m/minFeeding speeding0-4000mm/minMin. feeding set unit0.01mmMax. tool size60mmNet weight of tool3.5kgsNet weight1800kgsOverall size1700 x 1764 x 1710mmController systemAs customer's selection

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/cid:00b801c845f5$31256ee0$6701a8c0@user3d51399ebahttp://www.cnczone.com/forums/cid:00b801c845f5$31256ee0$6701a8c0@user3d51399eba

~24 x ~12.5 x ~16 travel range. Seems pretty similar to the '45 benchtop mills. But man, 1800 KGs?? Whats that, 4000lbs? How much is it? Maybe there is something Im missing, but it seems like there are better** choices for that spec range. I dont imagine a 4000lb machine is cheap, and I dont imagine it could do alot more than a BPort or Bport-copy vertical mill (which should give more travel), or even something like the IH '45 benchtop mill (30x12x22 travel range). I know there is more to machining than travel range, but other than mass, what would make this machine better?


And, out of curiosity, what are your needs in a machine?

How can U have 345 throat depth and 360 of Ytravel. This means your job cant have any border around a milled cavity. Fanuc has proved very reliable for me.

JcMcDonald & VWSatOz

Thanks for your replies.

600 * 360mm travel would be more than ample.

At more than twice the weight of any Benchtop it would have serious rigidity. I don't think you could compare the Benchtop mills. It would be much more rigid than any bridgeport.

Cost..US$10,500 with a Siemens/Fanuc/Mitsuibishi control system. Servo Motors.

6,000RPM's much more than benchtop mills.

As for my needs... looking at this for re-selling to industry. Plus it would make a great toy...

cheers

Frans

What kind of guides and screws are used if i may ask ?

THX.

Irondigit.

The guides are hardened dovetail ways.
Ballscrews xy&z


cheers

Frans

Seems like with this machine, you're treading into no-man's land. Is $10.5k your price or the final consumer price? I'm guessing it's the former, so what will the market price be? $15k? $18-20k after shipping?

With the Haas TM-1 starting at $21 or 22k and various Taiwanese knee mills in the high teens to low 20s, I really can't imagine why anyone would try to save a measly 15% and get a Chinese bed mill, especially one with a 30 taper spindle that's as rough and dirty as the one in the picture you posted.

Fanuc for sure in my opinion.