Poor Man's 5 Axis

[barbter]

Hi All,
We're contemplating putting our toes in the water regarding 5 axis (VMC).

Our plan is:-
Get a Chevalier VMC with a fanuc 18iMB5 control (I believe this is full 5 axis contouring, whereas 18i would be 3+2 positional???).
Get either a Nikken 5XA130 or Kitagawa TT120 tilting table
Mount the table onto a sub plate that can be slid onto the bed of the Chevalier when required (using dowels to locate).
Slide off when not required.

This way, we still have a VMC which is 100% compatible with our other machines and can do all our other work, rather than a 'specialised' 5 axis machine which cannot then machine something 18" square.
So for us, this is the most flexible solution.

So, question time...
Does it matter if the 18i control is either fanuc package A or B?
Does it matter if the drives are Alpha or Beta?
What options are needed with the fanuc control (as in 5axis cutter dia offset comp, tool length comp, fixture/datum offset comp etc???)
Regarding the Nikken/Kitagawa table, does it matter what make/model motors are used, or do they have to match (identical) the control
Anything else (and I'm sure there's buckets) that I need to know/ask/spec

As always, thanks for everyones time.
Cheers,
Terry

[barbter]

Bumpety bump???

[underthetire]

Yes it matters what drives/motors on the table. Talk to the dealer for the rotary table. Thats the best way. BTW you could buy a Haas mill with a 4/5 axis haas unit that bolts right on. The nikken table alone would be half the cost of the mill with table.