Haas ec-500 series mill, your thoughts

[MotoMike]

The EC300 is quite a bit smaller than the 500, I only have one auger, and it is virtually useless. Machine has 4th axis, TSC, 12,000 RPM spindle. I must admit my ignorance, I am not a very experienced machinist, in fact I have been refered to as "The accidental Machinist" by a friend. Most of my experience is on 3 axis machines and pretty easy stuff at that. I bought the 300 to satisfy a need and it only makes 2 parts (for now), and they use the same set up. I paid Haas to deliver the machine turn key, which they did (sort of, took quite a bit of de-bugging).

I also bought an MDC500 which I really like. It came with a conveyor

Almost forgot, I was wrong about the pot solenoid, it's the APC switch that took a dump. It's underneath the turntable and the Haas guy has been standing on his head for the last two days messing with it.

[fuzzyracing1967]

"The accidental Machinist" I like that,

Yeah the 300 is a bit small for us that is why were looking at the 500,I'd like to take a little work off anouther machine we have and put it on the 500.

Hey any and all input is good,you can't make an informed decision without facts and opionions,ones constant and one you take with a grain of salt.
That's why I posted the question, one persons hate is anouther persons love.

[Crash]

We have had a EC-400 for over 2 years. It has dual augers, and they work ok. We cut mostly aluminum, but some steel, plastics and Ti too. We have Chick tombstones on the pallets and have to remove them for some jobs. There is barely enough clearance to get them out with the sheet metal in the way. I can see how it might be a problem to load large heavy parts with a crane. Overall it's been a good machine. I would buy another one.

[fuzzyracing1967]

Thanks Crash,yeah that whole door thing is realy the only complaint I see as being a problem.We will be mostly keeping pallets on,but there are a few parts that we want to get off anouther machine and onto this one,(then again I don't see that big a problem after I get the saws all out .)

Just to let everyone know,it was ordered and they say 8-10 weeks,then you all can come back for the OPPS i quess you can't do that thread.

[bmartin]

We have a EC-500 and have had it for 2 years. It has been a great machine and at some point we will get another. We have the auger and have had zero issues. The cross bar at the loading station unbolts so that you can load larger parts and or tombstones easily. You can leave the bar off and and still be able to close the door. The probe package is a must have as the small door on the side makes it hard to see in the machine. Ours is also equiped with the TSC that works great. If you have any other questions let me know.

Bernie

[fuzzyracing1967]

Thanks for the heads up about the door cross bar,will probably be unbolting as it's being set up. It will be placed under a fixed crane becouse of some of the parts we need to do on it,and that was bothering me a little.Becides I don't want to be setting the thing up and throwing 75 pound vices or what not on the thing I ain't a kid anymore.
I do have one question for you though,do you have any problems with tool weights? I know there is a slow change for heaver tools,but what if you foget to go slow?

[bmartin]

Originally Posted by fuzzyracing1967 Thanks for the heads up about the door cross bar,will probably be unbolting as it's being set up. It will be placed under a fixed crane becouse of some of the parts we need to do on it,and that was bothering me a little.Becides I don't want to be setting the thing up and throwing 75 pound vices or what not on the thing I ain't a kid anymore. I do have one question for you though,do you have any problems with tool weights? I know there is a slow change for heaver tools,but what if you foget to go slow?

We don't do much for heavy tools, but do have the probe set for the slow tool change. You could just designate a couple of tool pockets for the heavy or large tools and keep them on slow. Also the rapid over-ride will slow down the tool changer, so if you dry run your programs with the rapid turned down you could use it as a reminder.

[fuzzyracing1967]

The only reason I bring that up is we have a few parts that were using 4" shell cutters on,and know they weigh a good bit.Not that I see the weight thing being a big deal,I just wondered if you forgot about it what would happen? We have a big hmc (traval is musered in feet not inches) that has had the small problem of throwing tools out while changing,and it will keep you on your toes .

[fuzzyracing1967]

Hey there folks just thought I'd give a little update here,ordered the machine as I said before but now we have to make room for it.We decided to move a bunch of stuff (another machine some shelves that kind of stuff) and put it where it will work best.Do you have any idea how much stuff you can acumulate in 18 years? That's how long that machine sat there,I'm finding fixtures that we haven't used in 15 years (company they were for went out of buisness 10 years ago) don't think we'll need them so out they go.How ever did plan on keeping some that haven't been used in years, their for the rail road industry and we still do some parts from 70 years ago (replacement parts go figure).Next will be getting ready for new concreate floor where it will sit.

Will update when it hits the floor,damm I love new toys .