General Fadal Question

[coloradoskibum]

Hey Guys,
Looking to possibly purchase a '90s/early 2000 vintage 4020. Can someone tell me if there is a more desireable year for this class machine? After reading a little someone mentioned in '97 they started going to AC motors. Is this a better option? Is there a rev of software/controller that has additional features over the previous? When did Fadal come out with the updated controller they had so much trouble with? On this class of machine what are the high wear/ high service items? If I make a purchase, just looking to spend my money wisely.

Thanks
Jim

[FastFieros]

Hey Guys,
Looking to possibly purchase a '90s/early 2000 vintage 4020. Can someone tell me if there is a more desireable year for this class machine? After reading a little someone mentioned in '97 they started going to AC motors. Is this a better option? Is there a rev of software/controller that has additional features over the previous? When did Fadal come out with the updated controller they had so much trouble with? On this class of machine what are the high wear/ high service items? If I make a purchase, just looking to spend my money wisely.

Thanks
Jim

The controller that some dont like, but I am sure others may to some degree is the MP32.

there are differences in the 88 and the 88HS series of pendants. The 88HS tends to have the rigid tap, 10k spindles.

I am sure others will think of things I cant come with right now.

[Fadal Error]

All I know is that I love my 1996 4020. 10k rpm and rigid tapping. The problem I have is worn turcite on the ways that really should be replaced and for some reason the z-axis repeatability is not always reliable.

[Techman]

I think the troublesome control you refer to is the 104D control. Fadal only made them for a short time and to the best of my knowledge Fadal either replaced the control or the machine for most if not all the machines they sold with that control. The biggest wear item- Bellville washers for the draw bar.

Techman

[DareBee]

Exactly - there is NO issues with the MP32.
The MP32 IS the 88HS control WITH a PC added on to the side (for CAM) with a built in DNC system.

I suggest you get a '96 or newer and stay away from the 104D control.
without knowing what you need it is hard to suggest anything.

Necessary items or me
1) 10K spindle
2) Rigid tapping
3) Extended Z (28")
4) Box ways
5) Complete 4 axis

[coloradoskibum]

Thanks for the input guys. Is there a way, beyond visual, to determine how much turcite is remaining on the ways? How many hours, if that is a good way to determine, is typical for these machines before this needs to be replaced? If this needs to be done, how big a ticket item is this? My needs seem to be ever changing, but the 40x20 travel, 10K spindle are a couple. I will initially be doing plastic and aluminum, 2-1/2d with maybe some 3d contouring in the future. My original question was directed at if there was any large improvements in any of the 90's and early 2000 machines that were worth holding out for when buying a Fadal. Also trying to understand some of the maintence cost associated with buying and operating a 8-10 year old machine once I get it on site and running. My plan is to find a machine in the price range I am looking at, with the features I think I need and have it professionally inspected before I buy. For now I am trying to sponge off your experience to narrow down my search.

Thanks again
Jim

[Fadal Error]

At least run an indicator across the table to see if runs flat. Mine is not. There is about .008" slope when I run through the Y travel.

[FastFieros]

I purchased a 1993 VMC15 in 2007. I paid what was considered good value for that time the machines were selling for. Today, I would get no less than a 1996 machine in order to make sure you are on SYS101.3 and 1010-5 axis cards, and 1400-5 CPU card.

I have SYS97.1, 1010-4 axis cards, CPU 1400-4... it all runs ok, but getting these parts at a reasonable price is difficult. The newer machines 1996 and above seem to have parts come up for sale more often these days.

[Neal]

Just for your information, System 97 and later normally requires a dash 5 system to make full use of all of the newer feature of the revised software.

Neal

[DareBee]

AFAIK all the AC models (late 95+?) running the 88HS control will be a -5 system.
This is why I recomended to get a 96 or newer.
Boards and memory are expensive and still lacking in my -4 (something like 440k memory max and it cost me $500 used).

[coloradoskibum]

Good info guys! Is there a page/screen on the control that will show you the software and board revisions? Or does this show on a start-up screen when you power up the control?

Neal,
What "newer features" are you talking about that the -5 boards make full us of? Or is it too lengthy to get into it here?

Jim

[denmar]

88 control had a 1400-2 cpu / limited expanded memory;with 1100-1 controler cards
88HS; 1400-3 cpu (did not performed good, so it was dicontinued.)1400-4/5/6 the latest one with up too
1gb on the expanded memory.