Finally got my Mikini 1610L Working!

[moadib64]

My 1610L is on a boat in the middle of the Pacific on its way to NZ.

You mentioned some problems getting things going with Mach3 or were they just with the failed controller?

Did you use the .xml file Phil provided or did you have to make mods? If so are you able to post your working .xml here.


Thanks

Matt

The main problem we had with the controller was the integrated video card chip overheating. We have fixed that by cutting a hole in the controller's case and mounting an additional fan right over the heatsink. It runs very well now.

The other problem that we had was with a power supply board that shorted out.

ultimately, we took out all of the electronics and made sure they were isolated from the mill chasis. I recommend at least a thorough inspection before operating the mill.

As far as the mach 3 settings go the only things I had to change was the screen resolution settings to fill the large screen.

You will also want to synch the axis. While the Y axis is perfect, the X axis was about off by quite a bit and the Z axis just a little. Make sure you check that before you start cutting circles.

[moadib64]

Anyway you could post the specs of the integrated computer so I can price comparable components? Or even what spec/components you would prefer to have had.

You can get the recommended specs from the mach site to build your own controller.

From memory, this version comes with 2gb of ram, 2.xGHz Atom processor, 320GB harddrive. It is running Windows XP. No discs, serials, or backups were includes so if the system goes down I assume i'll have to send it in to get rebuilt.

I'm fine with the specs. If we wouldn't have had the problems we did I probably never would have bothered looking at the controller. It doesn't take much to run mach. Full licensed software would have been nice. Microsoft and Artsoft both offer OEM to system builders.

[moadib64]

I am glad to report that yesterday we ran the mill 10 hours without any issues. The chips were flying. While we have been cutting parts I've been experimenting with feedrates to get the right finish.

Other than a few broken drill bits and having to clean the coolant tray a couple times we've had no more set backs.

I've been drilling a lot of holes so my favorite tool so far has been our keyless chuck.

Phil suggested an er25 tapping head, which we are getting this morning. I'm still not sure how 'll do the tapping in mach, but I have to figure it out.

[kenealym]

I would be keen to hear how you get on with Phil's tapping head as I have ordered one too. I assume you just use G95 (feed per rev mode) with the tension/compression in the tapping device taking up the slack for minor variations in feed.

[caddy]

Hi Guys:
Very interested in this machine. Keep posting. Lots of us looking for such a machine! Thanks for the feedback.

[moadib64]

We've been using our mikini everyday for about 8hrs.
Wish it had more power but I think we have it dialed in.
We are cutting all 6061 aluminum.
Using solidworks with visualmill for the main stuff and the mach nsf wizards everyday for the simple stuff.

[dirtridn2010]

Hi Guys, I'm a little confused. People have bought machines that don't work right out of the box. Where is the quality control. I want a machine that I can plus into a 240v power supply. get the gist of it's operation and start work. I'm not too keen to assemble my own machine (days I hear) or have to mess around (repair/replace) with things, at my cost, for who knows how long, before i can start making my products. If I wanted something that is a lottery as to whether it's going to work or not and have absolutely no support, then I would just buy direct from the chinese, where QC is "something somebody else does". Regards Peter

[howecnc]

Mikini is still a young company. Setting up the machine takes about a half hour. Mikini will support any issues that come up and replace any faulty parts for free.
I have not heard of anyone having major issues upon machine delivery but little things have popped up.

[mcphill]

Agreed. If you buy the computer with the Mikini, it is pretty much plug-and-play. The "hardest" part is getting the proper equipment to move the machine - it is heavy! From what I have seen, the Tormach takes a good bit more equipment and effort to assemble from scratch (more parts to put lift, align, assemble).

I am also not aware of any major issues any user is having. I have had a couple problems (some self-induced) and Phil has always helped me to get them resolved quickly. The only unsolved issue is that I did not get the 4th axis I ordered. I understand that Mikini's supplier was way late in the delivery to Mikini. I did get a full refund from Phil, though.

[dirtridn2010]

Agreed. If you buy the computer with the Mikini, it is pretty much plug-and-play. The "hardest" part is getting the proper equipment to move the machine - it is heavy! From what I have seen, the Tormach takes a good bit more equipment and effort to assemble from scratch (more parts to put lift, align, assemble).

I am also not aware of any major issues any user is having. I have had a couple problems (some self-induced) and Phil has always helped me to get them resolved quickly. The only unsolved issue is that I did not get the 4th axis I ordered. I understand that Mikini's supplier was way late in the delivery to Mikini. I did get a full refund from Phil, though.

I hear ya. Maybe i'm a bit sensitive to what i'm reading. I shall try and stand back a bit and look at the bigger picture, and I think I would be better off. I have found that there is now a distributor for Tormach now in OZ, but, in discussion stage for a distributor for the Mikini in Australia. Hopefully soon. America is still a long way away for support. Phone calls don't solve everything.

[mcphill]

I didn't realize you were in Australia... If I were in your shoes, I would get the Tormach. For me it was down to these two machines. The larger Tormach installed base, and existing in-country support would be hard to beat for you. What tipped me to the Mikini was the enclosure and that the machine seems more solidly built...

[MichaelHenry]

I hear ya. Maybe i'm a bit sensitive to what i'm reading. I shall try and stand back a bit and look at the bigger picture, and I think I would be better off. I have found that there is now a distributor for Tormach now in OZ, but, in discussion stage for a distributor for the Mikini in Australia. Hopefully soon. America is still a long way away for support. Phone calls don't solve everything.

Are you expecting field support? If so you will probably have to look at the mainstream CNC manufacturers. I think that all of the low cost manufacturers (Tormach, Mikini, Industrial Hobbies, Novakon, Syil, etc. only provide support by phone or email.

Mike