5th Axis on the Cheap?

[M30]

I meant assuming I can get my employer to purchase the $5K 5th axis option... Then, if I mount a the 160 on the 210 I then should then have full 5 axis.


I don't mean to sound ungrateful, all your help has been appreciated. But it sounds like everyone here is discouraging me from adding a 5th axis to a TM1 as if it can't be done and is a waste of time. I can't say I feel the suggestions so far have been incredibly constructive - I still don't know where I can buy a used or cheap 210 for example.

I don't know if everyone else here just pays what HAAS asks for new stuff without question. My apologies if my budget mindset is looked down upon... I'm new to the CNC world.


No worries though, guess I will have to stick with 4 axis.

Cheers.

[big_mak]

Not to be another Downer, but if you are stacking one on another, you will be eating up considerable Z travel as well as having Cable Hell too!!!!!!

Good Thinking, But I don't know it the control will support two separate indexers like what you are thinking

Look on Ebay for 4th axis, or try some suplus machine sellers on the net.

[PBMW]

One of the issues you are facing is that most folks that start a shop are buying Haas equipment mainly because of the price. They can get into a machine and be making money for not a lot of money. Therefore, things like fourth axis' on the used market are scarce and command a high (relative) price. It does not help that Haas (and many other mfgs) password stuff. But you also didn't have to pay for that capability if you didn't need it. It is the way of the industry. I am looking at a five axis horizontal at the moment. it's in the $350k range. A five axis machine is simply more expensive. No way around it. But if you are interested in it, the advantages of less setups and the ability to move into more conplex work will, as a general rule, allow you to have a shorter ROI
I hope I have not depressed you too much and I may have shown you a path to get your boss to consider the real deal instead of trying to make something work.

[M30]

PBMW,

Not depressing news at all - I'd much rather know why something is difficult or unusual to do rather than just being told it is. The industry I am experienced with is much different so I probably have some funny ideas coming in to CNC.

Overall though, it is disappointing. I just wanted to maximize what the machine can do, but there is likely no way way I can get my employer to buy in to this. It is fortunate we even have a mill. The only thing they occasionally use it for is to make replacement parts for downed automation equipment.

Thanks!