TM-1P questions

[kochevnik]

I'm thinking about buying a Haas TM-1P in the next few months. I sent an email to Haas and want to ask some of the same questions here to see if what they say is the real truth or not.

Haas has two different probing options, MIPS and the Visual Quick Code - anyone here use one of them ? And just what exactly is the difference between them ?

This mill can be setup to run on 1 phase power instead of 3 phase, anyone know if this affect performance in any way ?

If the chip conveyor option is not purchased, what would be the best way for an operator to remove chips from the machine ? (Shop Vac ?

There are two different floppy drive options - what is the difference ? Someone here mentioned that this floppy option is really now a jumpdrive/USB drive - is this true and if so is there any maximum size to the jump/USB drive which can be used ?

And another dumb question (sorry) - what exactly is 'spindle orientation' and how is it best used ?

Any other options I should seriously consider ? (like maybe buy some other machine ???

I really value the information I find here - all the guys are out to find the truth whatever it is - I sincerely appreciate any advice you guys can give me as this will be the biggest purchase I have ever made.

Thanks,
Matt

[AMCTony]

I have a TM-1 and have used a VF-3YT. I run my TM-1 on single phase and really tear into some material. I have no trouble at all. It is my understanding that the machine converts the power input to 320VDC but I am not 100% sure about that.

GET THE CHIP CONVEYOR!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have heard that the USB is standard now but this may not be so on the TM mills. MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET THE USB. Floppy is worthless in comparison. I have a floppy and 1M of memory and always am out of room.

Get rigid tapping and if you are going to do 3D work absolutly get Highspeed Machining. The difference is VERY noticible at feeds over 20IPM on 3D surfaces.

These are things that I have first hand experience with and your application will be one of the biggest factors in the options that you get. Is this machine for hobby use or business use? If it is for business use then anything that saves you time is cash in the bank.

[pit202]

> GET THE CHIP CONVEYOR!!!!!!!!!!!!

thats 100% true

[btomlinson]

Hi Matt, I'm considering the same machine for myself sometime in the future.
I have used both the IPS and visual quick code. IMHO I would get the IPS over the Visual...Its well worth the price. These aren't full blown programing systems but great for quick keyways,pockets, Bolt-hole patterns,etc. Haas has a great Calculator feature in the IPS for Trig and feed/speed calculations.

Get the chip conveyor..!!

Get the USB option. 3.5 floppy's will get you by but if your doing and serous programs the floppy wont cut it ( no pun intended)

Spindle orientation ( M19) This would be used if you wanted to perform a broaching operation. Its one of those options that you may go years without using but I would get it

Like AMCTony said I would get the rigid tap and possibly the high speed machining opp. I would also consider a 4th or 5th axis prewire

One very cool feature about Haas is some options can be purchased by simply entering a custom code into the control. Some options like Rigid-tap
(I think) and Macros come with a free 200 hour trial

Best of luck and keep us posted


Brian

[btomlinson]

AMC Tony, are you running on 1 phase at home ?


Brian

[Zeekh]

Matt, I just bought a TM2. I love it. I think getting some of these options greatly depends on your budget. I skipped the USB/floppy drive. I just hook up my notebook computer. Minor hassle with cabling but saved $. I think the USB option came with a different screen size also. I would run on 3 phase if available machine will use less electricity. I was told no difference in machine performance also but I don't know first hand. I don't know anything about probing. All of the options like spindle orientation, rigid tapping, etc can be turned on for a 200 hr test drive at no charge to you after you get the machine. I would get the chip guard to keep coolant where it belongs, way covers, coolant pump. I didn't know this macine came with a chip conveyor. I do use a shop vac in mine. It a pain in the butt but thats what I doought my machine. Most of the options can be added after delivery of the machine so if $ is a worry now upgrade down the road. Tim

[btomlinson]

Tim, is the TM2 available enclosed ?

[Zeekh]

They have a chip/coolant guard that mounts to the table ($729). I don't know how good it works, I didn't buy it. I do alot of large plates so I figured the guard would be in the way and I didn't know how easily it monted.. I presently have a couple of piece of lexan mounted to the table to keep coolant where it belongs. I eventually plan on mounting these with magnets for easy on/off mounting. As I said I was on a very tight budget when I bought the machine.

One thing that did annoy me about the machine was the chip trays are not sealed very well the the machine. Coolant dripped everywhere when I first got the machine. I pulled them all off and resealed. It helped but I still a few small drips

[Zeekh]

The USB drive connection is $3,000 without any drive just the USB port. I can't see paying that much. Run an RS232 line and you're cooking with gas!

[kochevnik]

I'm not a job shop - so I don't need to be setting up all new designs all the time - and speed of production is not as critical as quality and the ability to make changes to my designs efficiently. I work mostly in steel and have a number of designs I hope to be able to sell, but the Haas would have to wait till there was enough demand to justify moving to a bigger machine (bigger for me, small for most I suppose ) I think I would probably skip the USB and the FDD too - the goal is to just get data to the machine - a cable is actually
a better solution anyways.

BTomlinson : I'm confused, I thought the MIPS and the Visual Quick Code system were both probing systems, for probing work and tool offsets. What else do these do ? Doesn't the general Quick Code language ( that allows for bolt hole drilling, pockets, etc.) come standard on the mill ?

I don't do 3D stuff, so HSM isn't for me, neither is extra memory since our programs are pretty simple (just thinking out loud here) - Rigid Tapping is a yes, as is spindle orientation (anyone know how many degrees the spindle can be moved with this option ?) seems like S.O. would be VERY useful if you did ANY angle work at all (and we do). Fourth axis would be nice, but other things would take priority so I don't think that would fit under the budget. I've read about the power failure option elsewhere here and isn't worth the money for me.

It seems to me the best strategy for buying a Haas is to concentrate on adding the 'physical' options first and then the options that are turned on with a code could be added after the 200 hours are up. A basic question - I've seen conflicting reports that the 200 hours period is based on either machine powered on time or is it based on the hours that the option code is enabled ? Anyone have first hand experience in how this works ? Seems like some of the options 200 hours could last quite a long time if you don't use them very often.

I'm mostly interested in the 1P because of the enclosure and having the tool changer as standard. If we go with the stategy outlined above, seems like the coolant kit and the chip conveyor would be at the top of the list - $2000 buys a lot of shop vac time tho - I'd have to think about it ...

Which leaves: Coordinate Rotation & Scaling, Macros, and the spare M functions - any opinions on these ? Anyone using them ?

So this means 33.7K or 35.7k out the door (and pay for the other stuff later )

Last thing - I've looked at some other machines like the Sharp 2412 and the Hurco VM-1 all in the same price range, anyone else think these are a better buy ? Seems to me the Haas has a bigger table and better service options (but not as good of a warranty). And anyone know if Haas will be coming out with enclosed versions of the TM-3 or TM-4 (that would be nice).

Thanks again for all the help and advice everyone - much appreciated.

[AMCTony]

Im Running 1 phase at an industrial building in Yuma, AZ. This is the only place that I have ever been that the industrial buildings were ALL setup with 1 phase only. There is 3 phase at the road but it is cheaper to buy a CNC qualified add a phase than to have the power company run it in. As for the 200 hours. I was able to get 2 years out of it by turning it on only when I needed it and then turning it off as soon as I was finished.

[AMCTony]

Spare M functions would be very usefull if you are a tech automation geek. If you are you will definitly find use for them