Should I sell my plm 2000 and get a tormach?

[mik32176]

my plm has servos and linear rails, and cuts aluminum very nice, but it has an upgraded spindle, so it turns around 3000-10000rpm, software is d.o.s based. which I will upgrade to mach 3 if I keep it. but I cant cut steel because of the spindle speed, and the machine is hard to find anything for.
the tormach I hear cuts steel like butter, is obviosly a much more rigid machine, has a bigger cutting area, mine is only 6x12 but I think Its smaller because I havent been able to get that much out of it. the only thing that concerns me with the tormach is what do they mean by short production runs? does that mean I cant run it any longer the a certain period of time? and if so what is that time frame? last does anybody have any cons about the tormach.

I have realy been beating myself up over this, I know I can sell my mill for close to what the tormach goes for. and I have some extra money now and I want to get the most out of it. thanks for the help, mike

[MichaelHenry]

You might want to post this in the Tormach section here or in the Tormach Yahoo group if you haven't already.

From what I can tell, Tormach limits the feed rate and rapid speed to 65 ipm, which makes it a bit slow for large production runs as each part will take longer to make than it would on the more mainstream CNC mills, which apparently can feed and rapid at much higher speeds (200 ipm?).

The thought is that the part design and CAM time for prototypes and short runs will take the bulk of the overall part production time and that faster mill speeds are not cost effective in that context. This is all covered to some extent in the mill design document available on Tormach's web site.

If you are a hobbyist or a pro that only makes a few parts per run, the mill should be fine. If you want to run parts 24/7 in a competitive market you might want to look at higher range mills.

I'm a hobbyist and the feature set should be just about right for me, so I just placed an order and should have the mill in about 6 weeks.

Mike

[ataxy]

there is a tormach section

[dammachines]

Just wondering, what's a plm 2000? I've seen the Pro-Light 1000, but not a 2000... Any links to pictures?

Just trying to compare to my Tormach...

Thanks,
Dave

[mik32176]

I dont have much info on it either, it is a pro light machine, sorry I dont have a better pic, waiting on camera. I have found some information here and there on the web, the 2000 model has a regular spindle the 2500 model has 45000rpm liquid cooled spindle. the machine weighs about 425 lbs. its very fast on rapid traverse. which I dont use very much being new at this im always worried about putting that in the wrong spot.

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by MichaelHenry From what I can tell, Tormach limits the feed rate and rapid speed to 65 ipm, which makes it a bit slow for large production runs as each part will take longer to make than it would on the more mainstream CNC mills, which apparently can feed and rapid at much higher speeds (200 ipm?). The thought is that the part design and CAM time for prototypes and short runs will take the bulk of the overall part production time and that faster mill speeds are not cost effective in that context. This is all covered to some extent in the mill design document available on Tormach's web site. I'm a hobbyist and the feature set should be just about right for me, so I just placed an order and should have the mill in about 6 weeks. Mike

The 200+ Rapids for Production on New CNC's is around 1200-2800 IPM depending on the travels of the machine and the distance to be traveled.

Ex. A CNC Swisss Screw Machine has Gang Type tooling on both sides of the guide bushing and a travel in the X/Y of 1.5 inches. The Rapids are around 800 IPM. Very Fast.

As a suggestion if I may, the Tormach seems to me like a Tough Little CNC Mill that should do well cutting Steel. As a note you can get production out of the Tormach with a little method I like to Call "Raising the Z". If you were to place a 2" inch thick block under your vise or fixture you reduce the amount of travel in the Z axis. This means the Z has less of a distance to travel, hence a slightly lower cycle time and less wear-n-tear on the Z axis Ball Screw.

[David Bord]

I spoke to two tormach customers who are actually running the machine 9+ hours a day in a production environment. Both have been very very happy with the machines. One is producing medical molds in SS with the 4th axis.. and the other oil pump housing for turbine motors if I remember correctly.

Tormach seems to be conservative with the machines capability. I think the purpose of that statement was to set customers expectation... Its wasnt designed as a production machine, despite the fact some are using it that way.

With that said, after speaking to a few tormach customers and Greg Jackson of Tormach, I placed my order and should be receiving my machine in a week or so!

David

[mik32176]

I think im going to go with the tormach, it has more capability then mine. plus it has accessories you can get, like a 4th axis would be nice, not that im ready now but when the time comes. im still working on 2 axis programing.

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by mik32176 I think im going to go with the tormach, it has more capability then mine. plus it has accessories you can get, like a 4th axis would be nice, not that im ready now but when the time comes. im still working on 2 axis programing.

If you decide to get a Tormach let everyone know how you make out with it. Are you having trouble programming? If it's EIA/ISO G-Code maybe I can help.

Good Luck with what ever you decide to do. (pssssst... go for the 4th axis)

[philbur]

Surely if you write the correct gcode you will not have 2 inches of unecessary z-axis travel in the first place.

Regards
Phil

Originally Posted by tobyaxis As a note you can get production out of the Tormach with a little method I like to Call "Raising the Z". If you were to place a 2" inch thick block under your vise or fixture you reduce the amount of travel in the Z axis. This means the Z has less of a distance to travel, hence a slightly lower cycle time and less wear-n-tear on the Z axis Ball Screw.

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by philbur Surely if you write the correct gcode you will not have 2 inches of unecessary z-axis travel in the first place. Regards Phil

What are you refering too? Do you even understand the method in which I speak? From your statement I think you may be a bit confused.

[philbur]

It is quite possible that I misunderstand. However I still cannot see how you reduce cycle time by raising the vice 2 inches. Could you be a bit more explicit about the method?

Regards
Phil

Originally Posted by tobyaxis What are you refering too? Do you even understand the method in which I speak? From your statement I think you may be a bit confused.