Mori Seiki NL2000/2500 series the good the bad the ugly

[victor-arcp]

Our company is thinking about purchasing a Mori Seiki NL2000/2500 with live tools and subspindle. I was just wondering what everyone's opinion are in this machine. I have experience with the NL3000 and Duraturn-series. I have programming experience offline and some Capps but wondering if the NL2000/2500 if there is anything different that I should be aware of. Any tips would be helpful. I dont care if the opinions are good, bad, and/or ugly. This way it will give me a better view of these machines. Thanks in advance guys.
We do alot of Inco, hastx, and some stainless. Tool holder suggestions would be helpful too.

[Glacern]

How old was the NL3000 you worked with? The controls should be the same across the entire current NL line.

We've got an NL2500SY in our shop that has been working flawlessly. We never bothered with the Caps... G-code only for us, so I can't comment on that. Milling performance is similar to that of a small VMC. No problems running exotics and stainless. The headstock, frame, and turret are about as rigid as they get for machines this size.

As for live holders, we've used a bunch of different units from the ones sold by Mori to Taiwan-made and US-made models. They're are pretty similar as far as performance and fit and finish. You save a grip of money with the Taiwanese holders, which adds up after 6 to 8 units. Capto holders, both live and static, are nice too if you don't mind shelling out a few more bucks, as it saves you toolsetting time.

[victor-arcp]

Thanks for the info! The previous company I worked for bought the NL3000 about 5 years ago, but it didn't come with any of the bells and whistles no subspindle just a tailstock no live tooling. Programming wise was done offline all G-codes. The new company I am at has 2 Mori Seiki Duraturn 1530. But we are expanding. I haven't ever dealt with live tooling and subspindle work programming wise or operating. They have a Star Swiss turn here but I haven't had much time with because of all the new stuff coming for the Moris.