FX Mills

[rickyt]

Does anyone have or know of anyone with one of the new FX mills?
How does it compare to the older mills. Speed, accuracy, reliability ease of use.

[IN2GLAMISGIRL]

I have one coming at the end of the month. I have watched it cut in person and it is verry smooth at high feedrates. I will post after it is up and running.

[rickyt]

Yes, I have seen the demo video on the website, it looks very smooth, even with the trichordial cutting motion. I read they are coming out with a 4020FX the first of this year.

[rickyt]

Did you get the machine on the floor yet? I would really like to know of any issues you have with it, or if it is all good.

[IN2GLAMISGIRL]

Fadal is building a 10k rpm version with high torque and side arm toolchanger. I have decided to wait till this machine is released. My best guess is it will show at Westec in March.

[ltmquik]

I personally would wait at least six months before considering ordering a new one. Does anyone here have experience with the 104D release. I was one of the fortunate ones to get one and the machine NEVER worked right. Fadal eventually gutted the machine and converted it to a HS88 control. That never proved out either. Fadal replaced the machine with a totally new machine with Siemens 840D control.

From what I have seen of the FX, it would appear Fadal has stepped back in time. Old sheet metal, low rpm spindles, etc. The 'new' items are really just tried and true technology. Fanuc controller and motors? Did anyone go to IMTS? Fadal is not making any of the machines that were on demo there. In fact the machines were imported from Asia, painted, and added Fadal logos to.

I have nothing against Fadal. I own four (4). I had two very bad experiences with the last two (2) machines I purchased. I decided to go with the HAAS on my last purchase. I am totally impressed. My new VF-3 will outperform my new Fadal with the Siemens 840D by 15%-20%. That machine is almost identical to the Fadal as far as travels, tool changer, spindle speed, etc. It will take alot of proving out before I purchase another Fadal.

[cdlenterprises]

Ltmquik, I like your avatar pic. Where do you ride? Here's too sledding...

[ltmquik]

Preist Lake, Idaho. That's a small hill though! 800RMK 160hp.

[cdlenterprises]

Northern Maine, myself. Lots of old railbeds that are straight as an arrow. Yamaha SRX 700 150hp

[reachraghu]

FX m/c comes with 8000 rpm and 25.4mpm rapids. Since spindle motor is a alpha fanuc, your base speed at which you get yr full power and torque is low. Meaning very good for tapping too. The one & only demerit Im seeing in fx model is the beta motor for axes. Though, Haas m/c cannot even dream of competing this one.

[AllDone]

Originally Posted by ltmquik From what I have seen of the FX, it would appear Fadal has stepped back in time. Old sheet metal, low rpm spindles, etc. The 'new' items are really just tried and true technology. Fanuc controller and motors? Did anyone go to IMTS? Fadal is not making any of the machines that were on demo there. In fact the machines were imported from Asia, painted, and added Fadal logos to.

If youre' speaking on FX series of Fadal, it is 100% Fadal machine. As for Fadal and Asia, there was some Fadal lathes made by Leadwell for Fadal, but not vertical machining centers.

Maybe this machines seem obsolet, but the price is not bad, I think. And for low rpm spindle, a lot of customers I know are using speed range up to 6000-7000, and they are happy