Just ordered mine

[nash]

Prolog:

After going through a wild goose chase with one manufacturer, and later dropping the ball with them, I've made the payment for a 4000mmx1500mmx400mm machine with another company from the great Jinan region.

The posts by Rocket, Shannon, and other folks on this site helped me in making this decision. The winning company was quick in changing their design to accomodate the changes suggested by a design I'd done many years back. This design change would effectively stiffen the structure of Z axis without excessive material wastage. The other router manufacturer which I followed and spent quite a bit of time investigating, didn't want to budge from their design, which would give me a gantry that could potentially give trouble.

So what is the configuration I've ordered:

1. 4000x1500x400 gantry
2. Z axis is in 4mm thick steel and approx 200x200mm square tube section
3. An independent 4th axis
4. 4 axis simultaneous control syntec controller
5. There is a 6kw aircooled HSD spindle
6. Yaskawa servos
7. The Z axis has a C3 class ball screw/nut
8. 5.5kw dual bag dust removal system (vacuum pump)
9. Water cooled chinese vacuum pump for the T slot vacuum table
10. I ran out of funds for an Automatic tool changer :/

Any suggestions from you folks? Any gremlins that should be assaulted before they progress too much?

N

[rocket67]

nash, That is excellent news.

Must admit - I had doubts that you would find a manufacturer prepared to make a Gantry out of Steel for you. 4mm Thick. Wow! That will sure have some strength and weight. You might need a crane to fit the gantry to the machine upon arrival.

Preistwood says that he is finding the Syntec Controller easy to use. Good to see that there are now instructions available.

I note that you did not mention the manufacturers name - or did you? A bit cryptic maybe?

There has been a bit of a rebellion about the Chinese machines this week, but i feel it needs be kept in perspective. Aside from the Customer Service issues that we had, i am still an avid supporter of thes machines.
You cannot get better value!

Sounds like it will be a superb machine.

Rocket.

[nash]

Rocket,

Thanks for all your invaluable insights.

Well, I still have to experience the thrills that you've been having with your machines. I finally think that its the accuracy and correctness of the sales people who represent the machines correctly, actually gets the winning order.

I don't want to name any companies... but will be happy to share the photos when that babe is in-house.

N

[nash]

Rocket,

The gantry (the bridge part of the machine) is steel, what I meant was that the Z axis column is in steel. That is what I was trying to say. Perhaps mixed it up a bit. That Z axis column is in 4mm thick steel tube. I still have to see how they accomplish it.

N

[nash]

Guys, just made my final payment for the machine. I'm very curious how the machine will come out to be.

Now, I've got an empty 300sqm (approx 3000sqft, approx 15m x 20m) of area to place the machine. I'll be doing lots of other things there. The machine will be primarily used to make master models.

Do you have any suggestions about the shop layout? Any ideal shop layout or issues that you can advice me not to do?

Thanks!
N

[rocket67]

nash, That is good news. Your machine will soon be on its way to you then?

300 square metres is a good size workshop. You will probably need to locate the machine toward the rear of the workshop, mainly due to the noise of the water cooled vacuum pump. Doubt that you would hear the phone ring if it is near the machine.

Also, It is a good idea if you can see the machine operating from your office.

I guess you will also need to consider where the best position is in relation to your Power Points.

Rocket.

[nash]

Hi Rocket,

Thanks for your response. Yes, it should be on its way as soon as they have it working. I've been sent some images, but its still late in the assembly process.

I've got some photos of the inside of the facility. As you will see in the photo, the point is that the far end of the facility. The office is currently just a storage (no air circulation), so I was thinking of building something next to the current one, perhaps in wood.

But what do you suggest as most efficient use of the area. I'll soon post a 3D model of the volume available.
Thanks,
N

[nash]

I received the Bill of Lading yesterday from the CNC manufacturer. I wish that EU businesses were so prompt.

N

[nash]

Gentlemen and ladies.... the ship my machine was on just docked at Genova, Italy. I've been told that the machine that I've bought is indeed on the ship. Although I don't know in which condition and when exactly I will be able to go and collect it. But what I know is that on behalf of the CNC router company, the agents are working hard to get it cleared. According to the agents, it should take 2-3 working days to get it cleared. That implies that I should have it here in my facility within next week.

Sooo... for anyone who's interested in details, I'll be happy to share them over here.

With success, fun, enjoyable work with your machines for the whole of 2010
Nash

[nash]

Hello There, an update from my side. The machine has arrived and is now sitting in my facility. Some photographs are here for your viewing pleasure.

[nash]

Gentlemen, esp. Rocket and Andre, I need some help in identifying the wires that I've colored in the following photographs.

In the middle photograph (vertical format) are the points 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Red the Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3 and Neutral for the main power? Is the small panel in yellow the earth terminal?

In the first photograph, what are points 1, 2 and 3 for?

In the photograph of the Bottom inside panel front, what are these connections? Are these the water pump connections? Well any ideas or hypothesis will be fine. Another thing, whats the right way to connect the 5.5 HP chinese water vacuum pump?

Thanks a bunch,
Nash

[Rick Carter]

Gentlemen, esp. Rocket and Andre, I need some help in identifying the wires that I've colored in the following photographs.

In the middle photograph (vertical format) are the points 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Red the Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3 and Neutral for the main power? Is the small panel in yellow the earth terminal?

In the first photograph, what are points 1, 2 and 3 for?

In the photograph of the Bottom inside panel front, what are these connections? Are these the water pump connections? Well any ideas or hypothesis will be fine. Another thing, whats the right way to connect the 5.5 HP chinese water vacuum pump?

Thanks a bunch,
Nash

Hi Nash,

In the middel, the 4 poles white connector is for the machine power, the right side of it the one with two kelly wires are the earth termial.

In the first photo, have no idea about the first three, the one with brake in the middle is for the power of servo motors, you need to push it on the top first if you want to use the machine. the one on the right end is a relay, which is for the console power, for the buttons on the console etc.

The one you wrote BOTTOM INSIDE FRONT PANEL, the 3U1, 3V1 and 3W1 are for the water cooling vacuum pump.