cnc lathe

[fourperf]

Does anyone have any recomendations on what cnc lathe to look at in the size and price range of the haas toolroom lathe. I do want/need one that I can program conversationally.

Mark

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

Mark, Have you considered one of those "teachable manual/cnc" type lathes?

[fourperf]

I have never even heard of those. I basically want to be able to cut threads, tapers and be able to zero off a part , feed numbers into the controll and have the machine do the work. I am quite well versed in cad/cam and have a cnc mill which I am proficient at. I have a manual lathe which I am proficient at also. I machine mainly as a hobby but do sell a few things I make. My shop is in my garage. I would like a cnc lathe to compliment my cnc mill. I think My parts could be a little more intricate as I dont know theory and math. I can make (obviously) much more complex parts on my cnc mill than I could on my manual bp so I think the same would ring true going from a manual lathe to a cnc one. I have about 7 or 8 years machining experience.

Thanks

Mark

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

Mark, The "teachable" Manual/CNC lathes are often in the 14X60 and larger range. Some may be smaller. Bridgeport made one using Romi lathe chasis. I beleve Clausing called theirs "Storm". You can program these machines like any other CNC. The teachable thing is that the machine can be manipulated like a manual lathe and then made to "remember" each move. This collection of "moves" can be stored as a program. Sort of the best of both worlds if you are comparing to a tool room lathe and not trying to compete with a multi axis, multi spindle live tool machine.

[fourperf]

thanks a lot Richard, do you know if they can be programmed conversationally at the machine odr do you need to know the g code?

I will search those out now.

Mark

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

Mark, The conversational programming depends on the control used. I believe they all have that capability since it would defeat the purpose of the machine concept not to have conversational programming. BUT, I would make sure of that fact if it's important to you, especially if you intend to purchase that particular machine. You might also want to make sure it will accept code from whatever source you may whish to use in the future.

[fourperf]

thanks a lot

Mark

[DareBee]

Mark

It has been my understanding that the HAAS TRL is a conversational machine.

Another "known" name is the TRAK.
Harrison also has superb higher end machines of this type.

A lot of the Tiawanese manufacturers have machines with conversational controls and are VERY inexpensive.
I have a 16x40 "TURRETT". It has a FAGOR 8040T control. This machine is super easy to program and run by anybody. If you are feeling extra dumb you can crank the handwheels as well.
This http://www.moderntool.com/new%20pics...20open%202.jpg is actually identical to my machine with a different name on it. And another http://www.legereindustrial.com/new_lathes.htm

[fourperf]

thanks darebee, I will look into those. There seems to be such mixed reviews on the haas stuff. I guess that can be said for anything.

Mark

[msomerville]

Check out Milltronics. They have some good reasonably priced equipment. They are also made in the U.S.A.

[fourperf]

that milltronics looks like quite a nice machine. I am going to see if there any rviews on the milltronics forum on this board

Mark

[Geof]

Originally Posted by DareBee ....It has been my understanding that the HAAS TRL is a conversational machine....

Haas has their Quick Code and their Intuitive Programming System and their TL machines will also run standard G code programs, exactly the same as the SL series except the number of tools is different.