New Machine Day with pic's

[IN2GLAMISGIRL]

Always fun when a new machine comes thru the door. This is the Performance series Fadal. I do like this model, this is not my first 3020 mill.
They come standard with wide box ways, 22hp high torque spindle and 24 tool side arm tool changer, LCD video screen and 24" in Z. The rigger had me a little nervous trying to pick the mill up from the front as the most mass is on the colum side of the machine. 15,000 lb machine and a 15,000 lb lift are cutting it close. Their fix was to hang a 5,000 lb mold base of the rear of the lift. They had do that with the same lift they were moving the machine with as my lift was to small. I will let you guys think about that for a while. It was a simple solution.

[ltmquik]

Please let us know the true performance of the machine. Did you get the Fanuc control? I would also like to know the time it takes to change tools from a standard Kurt type vise. What are the rapids and max programable feed rate? 10K or 15K spindle?

[IN2GLAMISGIRL]

This is the Fadal control. 10,000 rpm grease pack spindle.Tool change is about 6.5 sec chip to chip. 1000 inch rapids and 600 i.m.p. max feed.

[Geof]

Your middle picture with the extra counterweight hung on the back of the forklift is a good one. Is it an OSHA approved counterweight?

[ltmquik]

Originally Posted by Geof Your middle picture with the extra counterweight hung on the back of the forklift is a good one. Is it an OSHA approved counterweight?

Without a doubt!!!!! That picture should go in the "Saftey" forum. I hope that rigger is bonded or you have a understanding insurance company and a good mason to repair the concrete floor.

[ltmquik]

Originally Posted by IN2GLAMISGIRL This is the Fadal control. 10,000 rpm grease pack spindle.Tool change is about 6.5 sec chip to chip. 1000 inch rapids and 600 i.m.p. max feed.

If you are not aware, there is a duty cycle for running the grease pack spindles at full RPM. Be sure to contact a good Fadal rep as to the specifics. We retrofitted our grease pack with an air/oil system after the 3rd spindle in one year. I dislike the fact that machine companies list high RPM spindles but then tell you not to run them continously (SP) at max speed. We build injection molds and run programs for days without being able to stop the machine. We have yet to have a problem with the air/oil spindles.

[IN2GLAMISGIRL]

I spec. the grease pack spindle on all our mills. My experience is the grease pack spindle is more robust than the ceramic bearings in the air-oil spindle. Our work is aerospace alloys not much high rpm work. When we do run Alum. 8500-9000 is our max rpm. That last 1500 rpm is what does the spindles in. I have replaced one spindle in the last 20 years on 13 Fadals. My oldest mil is a 1987, it still has the orig. air-oil spindle (old-style) steel bearings.

[IN2GLAMISGIRL]

The big counterweight in the first post was used to keep the riggers lift in balance. The way they hung it on the back of their lift was simple. They set it on a stack of 4x4's and backed up to it. Chained it to the rear pin and drove off real slow. The whole set-up seemed a little hokey at first, but it all went smooth.

The new mill is up and running fine . The 2nd picture is a 1.25 hog mill in 17-4.

[M-man]

What is the price of this kind of machines in US, approx?

[IN2GLAMISGIRL]

List price is $79,900 US

[LenMcC]

Originally Posted by IN2GLAMISGIRL List price is $79,900 US

i just surprised myself by not flinching.

looks beautiful! congrats! that second pic is great!

[carbidecraters]

Originally Posted by IN2GLAMISGIRL List price is $79,900 US

Thats a good price! I ahve heard that Mazaks in that price range cant handle low end torque like the Fadals