IH versus Mikini Mechatronics 1610L

[ruawake]

Wonder what anyone thinks of the Mikini.......3hp?

[Runner4404spd]

i think the work envelope is kind of limited for what you get. the IH has full 30" of travel in the x and up to 13 in the Y. i can fit 3 6" vises on my ih mill and can get to each of them with plenty of room. i can't really tell if the complete mikini is running on mach 3 or their stand alone controller?

[EvanVH]

No dove tail ways ????? No ways period???


If I read the web site correctly they are using linear guides. I would worry about the longevity, rigidity and accuracy. (when you are pushing the machine hard)




Evan

[ruawake]

That is a good point, about the ways.
ruawake

[deon]

Hi

"longevity, rigidity and accuracy"?????? Bigger mills like Haas etc. have them.

What seems to be the problem , if you stick to a the work machine scale relation then I cant see the problem.

It's not a good idea to break down a other manuf. just because you have a IH machine.

Just my two cents.

[oltimer]

deon
nobody is cutting down anything. just an opinion on an IH forum.
oltimer

[EvanVH]

Originally Posted by deon Hi "longevity, rigidity and accuracy"?????? Bigger mills like Haas etc. have them. What seems to be the problem , if you stick to a the work machine scale relation then I cant see the problem. It's not a good idea to break down a other manuf. just because you have a IH machine. Just my two cents.

Hey deon

After doing some research I was off base with that comment. Sorry Can you separate the mill from the stand. The reason that I ask is the stand is cast (?) and the rep from Mikini said "the stand and mill don't separate". There web site said the mill weighs 2000 lbs with the stand. If the stand is cast it must be pretty heavy. I would like to know how much the mill weights with out the stand.



Evan

[Runner4404spd]

Evan,

your point of longevity is valid. in the cnc world hass machines are considered disposable, after a while it actually becomes cheaper to buy a new one vs repair the one you have. cast ways will definitely last longer than the linear ways when under alot of load. i personally don't know what the load rating is on the mikini ways but on my ih i can machine stainless steel with no problems, on the cast iron ways. also i upgrade my ih with 3hp 3450 rom motor.

granted i don't have quite the upper end rpm of the mikini but on harder metals you don't need the upper rpm anyway. the ih will definitely be slower than a mikini on plastics due to the slow spindle but the trade off is versatility and the ability to cut harder metals.

[EvanVH]

Originally Posted by Runner4404spd Evan, your point of longevity is valid. in the cnc world hass machines are considered disposable, after a while it actually becomes cheaper to buy a new one vs repair the one you have. cast ways will definitely last longer than the linear ways when under alot of load. i personally don't know what the load rating is on the mikini ways but on my ih i can machine stainless steel with no problems, on the cast iron ways. also i upgrade my ih with 3hp 3450 rom motor. granted i don't have quite the upper end rpm of the mikini but on harder metals you don't need the upper rpm anyway. the ih will definitely be slower than a mikini on plastics due to the slow spindle but the trade off is versatility and the ability to cut harder metals.

Hey thanks for the info. It is very interesting. You made a conversion plate to convert the metric spindle motor to a standard spindle motor on a IH mill. Did you ever make a drawing for it ? Maybe a dxf file If so I would love to have a copy. If not no big deal. Thanks for the info on linear ways.


Evan

[philbur]

I think if you work an IH as hard as an average Haas you will find it is also disposable, much sooner.

It seems the Mikini, with its C3 screws and linear ways will have much higher precision/repeatability than either the IH or Tormach. The down side is that it is a lighter weight machine (minus the stand) with a smaller envelope. So it's horse for courses, again.

Providing the service is there I think it looks like a great piece of kit.

Phil

Originally Posted by Runner4404spd Evan, your point of longevity is valid. in the cnc world hass machines are considered disposable, after a while it actually becomes cheaper to buy a new one vs repair the one you have. cast ways will definitely last longer than the linear ways when under alot of load.

[ruawake]

Just a bit of info that a beginner like me is still trying to understand. When I spoke to the Mikini, He said that they built the machines a single unifiedpiece(built like a Haas), with a lower casting and an upper casting. A machine that is built all the way to the ground. I am looking forward to hearing from a new owner, and for the new videos.

[Kipper]

Originally Posted by EvanVH Hey thanks for the info. It is very interesting. You made a conversion plate to convert the metric spindle motor to a standard spindle motor on a IH mill. Did you ever make a drawing for it ? Maybe a dxf file If so I would love to have a copy. If not no big deal. Thanks for the info on linear ways. Evan

I bet he never gets back to you.... Attached is a version another person made.


On topic....I'll bet the Mikini is a better machine....better spec and probably better made......should last a home user 20-30 years.....just think no gib strips to adjust....and a column all the way to the ground.....I'll take one.