looking into getting a hurco

[dniemela]

The shop i work for is looking into getting a hurco 5 axis machine. i do not know hardly anything about hurco...what are the positives and negatives about them?

[Jeremy A Flores]

VMR42SR or VTXU?

[glovebox20]

Hello

I do not know much about the 5-axis machines from Hurco, but I am quite fimilar with the HTX 500 and the VMX's. All I'll say about Hurco Machines their great for simple, quick setups with there abilty to program the machine "on the shop floor". But if you have complex setups, or lot of surfacing to do, You might still find out you would rather have a CAM system (gibbs,masterX,ect) for the complex stuff and run the machine in G-code. Hurco machines are not the fastest or the most accurate machine on the market, but they do offer a lot of bang for the buck with good customer support. If your going to do a lot of G-code programing though, I would still prefer a machine with a G&M code controler cause it would be simpler to use and industury has proven the code out quite well.

glovebox20

[Motherlode97]

First consider your requirements. Do you need 5 axis positioning then 3 axis motion or do you need real 5 axis tool motion. Hurco machines are fine for most 3-axis stuff but 5 axis I would look elsewhere.

ML97

[Jeremy A Flores]

I disagree. When programmed offline the hurco will run industry standard (G&M) programming just as well as any machine. Cotroller takes a little getting used too but what doesn't.

[millmonkey1]

Hurco lathes are junk. The mills did not impress me a whole lot more. Do yourself a favor and buy a Haas or Mazak or such.

[Motherlode97]

Hurco machines can run Industry Standard G codes (Optional) that is true. The question posted was regarding 5 axis applications. They have neither the experience nor expertise in that field. IMAO

ML97

[glovebox20]

Originally Posted by Motherlode97 Hurco machines can run Industry Standard G codes (Optional) that is true. The question posted was regarding 5 axis applications. They have neither the experience nor expertise in that field. IMAO ML97 First consider your requirements. Do you need 5 axis positioning then 3 axis motion or do you need real 5 axis tool motion. Hurco machines are fine for most 3-axis stuff but 5 axis I would look elsewhere. ML97

I strongly agree with ML97. Hurco may have one of the best mills for 3-axis protype or short production runs, but they also severly lack the experiece in the horizantal and 5-axis areas. The biggest problem I have face with Hurco is when It come to the HTX 500. I can ask the Tec poeple question on how to set the machine up, but they can't relly give me the answers I'm looking for. It wouldn't be so bad, but I can go on the internet and find just as much or or info. horizantal maching then what they could give me. Exspecialy on the G-code part. The biggest downfall with conversanial programing is you do not have standard work offsets (G54-G59) like you would in a G-code type program. So you need serveral part set up blocks to make up for this and if a vise moves half way throgh your run, you may have to change 5 or more part set up blocks (more or less depending on your set up) to change this witch is a big pain and clumzy Vs. a G-code program where all you have to update is the G54 offset. I know, I've been there and done that. Somedays, I wish my shop would of went with a HAAS machine instead. Or maybe something better like a A51 Maknio. But thats $$$, but they are relly sweet machines.

I also feel a Fanuc or other G&M code controls also runs smoother on G-code programs but maybe the new WinMax controls is different. I could try to explain the difference to you, but it would be easier if you could see the machines run so you can judge for ourself.

If you like the price of the Hurco's and don't mind that your not getting the biggest badest machine out there, you may find out the Hurco will work for you just fine.

glovebox20

[Motherlode97]

Well stated glovebox20. If you really do your research you'll find that Hurco systems use a software PLC as opposed to a hardware PLC meaning that one mpu is in charge of all real time events. This and fact that Hurco systems do not nor have they ever (to the best of knowledge) ever used G codes as it's native navigational system (meaning even though they offer industry standard G codes the system must convert the G codes to the conversational native navigational commands.)
Now if I was a 5 axis machine I'd spend a lot of time waiting around for all the above to happen. Almost all builders base their machines' nav system on four G-codes passed on to a hardware PLC (newbies pay attention here as if you get this part your interest in CNC will get a lot simpler):

CNC machines do one (1) uno thing which is go from this point to the next.


These are the four codes used:

G00 x1 y1 Go to this point as fast as you can (doesn't matter how)

G01 x1 y1 F10 Go to this point in a straight line at F10

G02 x1 y1 I0 J1 F10 Go to this point by way of a CW arc of 1 ending at x1 y1 at F10

G03 x1 y1 I0 J1 F10 Go to this point by way of a CCW arc of 1 ending at x1 y1 at F10




That's it.

Just about any tool motion your machine can do can be done with the above codes. You can also use Z, A & B, C and U and on and on.
Almost all the rest of the G codes are made up from the above 4.
How fast your control can read, interpret then accurately interpolate the movements defines a good quality machine from ......
Enough said I hope.

ML

[glovebox20]

Hello dniemela

Has your shop decied on the machine to buy? Did our advice help your shop in your purchased? I'm sure the people on the forum would like to hear.

Thanks

Jeff Schueller

[Geof]

Motherlode97; I like your explanation, it show how simple CNC is in fundamental terms, but you forgot Incremental. The 'go from here this distance...' part.

[68sixspeed]

If it helps I've purchased a VM2 and a VM1 in the last 13 months and love them, getting ready to buy another VM2; we run them conversational w/dxf files on the easy parts and with Featurecam on the more complex parts.