New vs. used

[medesigner]

My company has the option of either a new or used machine. Obviously a new machine would be great but we have also looked at a few used machines as well. The issues that we have with the used machines are how long will this thing last? Probably quite some time but all the machines we have looked at were at used distributors and they claim ignorance on how hard the machine has been run. So what are the main things to look at, ask about used machines?


Currently we are entertaining the idea of a new Haas VM3SS. Anybody have one of these? Are they a good machine? Given the choice would you prefer a Haas or a Fadal?

Lots of questions...hopefully some of you can answer some of these.

THanks

[MikeOD]

I've seen some used machines that are excellent performers...see if you can get your local HFO to run some ballbar tests on the table and a vibro on the spindle. Then listen to the machine move, make sure it's noises are consistent through it's travel...if it passes all those tests, it's worth considering.

That said there's no such thing as a Haas VM3SS....a VM and an SS are exact opposites in the Haas line. They have the same spindle, but after that all similarity ends.

[Al_The_Man]

Originally Posted by medesigner Lots of questions...hopefully some of you can answer some of these. THanks

In case you look at other makes.
Check to see if control is still supported and the manuf. still around.
The controller OEM maybe still in existence but is the MTB?
Make sure all documentation is with the machine including, and particularly Parameters.
Al.

[automizer]

If you go to the Alarms page then push the right arrow key it will go to a page showing the last recorded alarms. Depending on how old the machine is will depend on how far back the alarms go. You just keep pushing up untill the alarms stop and look at how hard of a life its had. If you push list programs then go to the alarms page it will give you the option to write the alarm info to disk.

[HuFlungDung]

I usually shop for good used, even though I might almost have a budget for new. Considering that good used is about half of new price, I always figure that for another $10K to $20k, I can fix up the weak spots as they appear, and still come out ahead.

Mind you, I've never bought a machine in a panic, so there is definitely a loss of production time while the machine is down for repairs. If it is your 'one and only', then you've got no backup, and that casts a different light on the situation.

[medesigner]

Thanks for the replies!!!

No wonder the VM3SS sounded a little wrong...I do not know all the different terminologies that each manufacturer uses...VF VM VMC etc...

[Geof]

Possibly you mean VF3SS?

Is there such a machine?

You should spend some time searching threads on the Haas Forum. The SS machines did have some problems. These machines used faster lead ballscrews to get faster rapids with the result that precision suffered. Some people swear at them and some people swear by them. I do not have any SS machines, but I do own 20 or 21 Haas machines, obviously I must think Haas machines are worthwhile, but I do think they fumbled the ball on the early SS machines.

[haasguy]

i would say that new wins every time, you know exactly from day one what has happenned to it and the kind of life it has had, that being said if you do buy used the haas factory service backup is awesome, we have service techs all over and their vans are stocked with parts, unlike service techs from other companies who have to order and wait for parts!
either way you are safe with a haas, but i would say that as they pay my salary, lol.

[haasguy]

also we are now a long way from the quirks if at all there were any with the super speed sries, they are a phenominal performing machine, i couldnt believe the tool change speeds ( speed of the cam box ) , these machines are worth every dime and will pay you back in production speeds in no time .
for more info on haas or onecnc cad cam packages mail me at: craig@machinetoolscnc.com . happy machine hunting

[medesigner]

Well we ended up going the new machine route...VF3ss...should be fun!!

[haasguy]

if you need ant cad cam software let me know as we have somoe great one cnc packages and also mastercam contacts