1995 or later Fadal or Haas VF-3. Some general Q's on a 95 4020 and how built.


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Thread: 1995 or later Fadal or Haas VF-3. Some general Q's on a 95 4020 and how built.

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    Default 1995 or later Fadal or Haas VF-3. Some general Q's on a 95 4020 and how built.

    Hi Everyone! Beautiful day here in Mid Michigan.
    Lots to ask and will try to be brief. My son and I are looking on an evolution of his shop space & college work. We are looking based on what we can afford. A mid 90's to later 90's Haas or Fadal 4020 or VF-3. Haas publishes a lot of information on their website new and old. On the Fadal site (Technical Docs | Manuals & Diagrams | FadalCNC.com).
    For both, I cannot really find engineering tech stuff. Like how they position? What is the resolution of positional accuracy? Do they use rotary encoders, or scales on the tables? What are the counts per revolution, resolution of linear scales. Glass or Magnetic, etc. Maybe some folks here know where to get those types of Q's answered? Which one is better engineered?

    1) Positional accuracy and how position data is sent to the controller:
    a) On the Haas, I have been told they use their positional encoders on the motor spindles. No linear scales?
    b) For the Fadal, I cannot find info either way. Someone said external linear scales, another said that is an option? Did not know if glass or Magnetic. anyone know? An example, I can step 1-ten (.0001) on my SuperMax knee mill & controller w/ a Mitityou gauge and see the tens movement w/ my high res encoders and modern upgrade Centroid controller (which I did)

    2) Machines from the mid to late 90's... typical accuracy?
    a) We have a few 95 or greater Fadal's we are looking over. One in particular is through spindle coolant, Pre-wire 4th and 5th. It is all DC motors and is all discrete TTL based electronics. 9 or 10 large PC boards, Lots O' chips! Pots all over. etc. We can play with it under power. The vendor is 30-mins away and willing to help my Son get the best machine of their lot. Are these types of machines good to a 1/2 -1 thou or better? Can you step along down to the tens level? I simply do not know the larger machine tech.

    b) A 96-98 Haas VF-3. Same Q's as above. Are these good to 1/2 -1 thou? Are the controllers about the same tech as the Fadal with large PC's boards and card slots & cages?

    c) The 4020 only has 422K memory onboard... I guess you drop-feed on the RS-232? Can I upgrade that, or do a 232 to USB converter to USB on the lappy?

    3) Anyone out there that can compare these two types or 90's machines?
    a)If ya have opinions or know of the machines in general and just want to comment on your experiences for Fadal or Haas.... please feel free. (And I am searching the archive). I don't mean to start a this -vs- that. Only highlight why Fadal over Haas I guess on the Fadal forum.

    THANKS everyone.

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    Default Re: 1995 or later Fadal or Haas VF-3. Some general Q's on a 95 4020 and how built.

    I have a 94 Fadal 4020 and im fairly happy with it. I would stick to mid 90's or newer, dont go any older if possible. Even my 94 compared to a 95 there are a few nice changes in 95. Fadal DC machines use resolvers and the AC machines use encoders, not sure of resoloution. Linear scales (glass i think) are an option.

    Either machine should have 0.0001 increments or better and should be able to hold better then 0.001" tolerances if in good shape. If your super concerned about accuracy, i would think the condition of the specific machine will be much more of a factor then which brand you choose. Either would make very good parts when new, and obviously there are alot of things that could make accuracy go downhill on each machine too. Either machine in good condition will probably be a big improvement in accuracy over most cnc knee mills.

    A big thing to think about is do you want linear guides or box ways. Box ways are thought to be more rigid and less troublesome, but if they are damaged the machine could be scrap. Some say linear guides are more flimsy, not uncommon to rust or wear but on the bright side they can be replaced, and friction is lower so you loose the stick/slip problem and can improve accuracy. Fadals are available box way or linear, i believe the haas machines are all linear. good luck with it.



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1995 or later Fadal or Haas VF-3.  Some general Q's on a 95 4020 and how built.

1995 or later Fadal or Haas VF-3.  Some general Q's on a 95 4020 and how built.