Rep Quandry

[designerpatrick]

I've recently purchased a Milltronics ML-14 CNC lathe and an MB20 CNC mill from a private party.

I confess to being a noob, I own (and use) a Bridgeport mill and a Jet Lathe, but I am not a professional machinist.

My question is related to costs and repping structure. I've been given a rough verbal of $3,500 per machine for initial setup (1/2 day each) and what appears to be 8-12 hours of training. I am nor ragging on the repp - but, In my real life I am a product design consultant and this appears a princely sum. Am I out of line to question this? (No I haven't bought a machine from them).

Are there alternatives? - or should I just shut-it and accept it. As I will likely need support in the future.

Thanks in advance.

[Farmers Machine]

Do You Have Tools And Equipment To Set Up And Level The Machines Your Self ? Can The Tool Rigging Company Do That For You? Can You Go To Milltronics For Class And Training At Their Factory? How Far Are The Machines Being Moved? Is It Possible For The Person Selling The Machines To Train You How To Use Them? As Far As A Dealer To Help And Answer Questions You Are Going To Need One Many Times. There Are A Lot Of Variables And Options To Look At. But 7 Grand In One Day Is More Than I Make. Experience Cost But How Do You Price It.by The Way You Made A Good Choice In Precision Tool Room Machinery You Are Jumping Off Of A Bycycle And Hoping On To A Mercedes. Be Careful And Good Luck.

[designerpatrick]

The machines are at my garage shop now (Rigger). I will level them presently, need shims and rubber damper feet. Have a Phase Perfect phase convertor showing up shortly.

The Rep would do a standard setup (like when you buy a new machine) to confirm that the equipment is working. And then the light training. I was told that we where only going over the conversational programming.

I was left with the impression that I could screw the machine up if it is wired incorrectly. It seems to me that phase direction is my only issue if I've done the standard three phase stuff correctly.

Patrick

[single phase]

I would not pay that, no way! You can get all the help you need right here, that is what our community is for. It will take a little more work but if you are patient and careful you will do fine. They are not going to teach you anything you can't learn by reading the manuals and just spending some time playing. Save the money and buy a great machinists level.


My $.02


Cheers
SF

[pixburghenat]

...The book is very good to learn from.
Get the simulator from milltronics website for trying out your programs.

I wired a ML15 backwards, the only problem was the oil pump spun the wrong way and the control gave me an error code and shut down the machine.


enat

[designerpatrick]

I didn't get the big looseleaf binder with either machine. hmmmm. Seller sez he's looking, outlook uncertain - I think I better call Milltronics. I purchased a Phase Perfect 3-phase convertor (per a discussion with the factory) as the lathe has been modified with a AC drive motor apparently.

So reversing phase for first startup is unlikely to beat it up? I just got the convertor trucked in and frankly I can't wait to wire it and fire em up. I've already run the conduit and air, just need to pull wires and rig the converter.

Any other first post shipping startup advise would be appreciated.

Thanks Patrick

[Dave1]

Pat,
Sent you a PM

Dave

[single phase]

Patrick, if you want to get the phase right the first time just follow the wires to the coolant pump. Then disconnect the pump and run it by itself. When you get it running forward you got the correct phase. Of course this only works if the coolant pump is three phase.

Make sure you have the 220 single phase transformer on the house phase wires. That will put the least load on the PP saving it for more machines.

I use the Phase Perfect for my machines too. It works great.


Cheers
SF

[jpawelk]

Make certain that the generated leg is wired to L2. Incorrect phasing will not hurt the machine at all when starting it up. An easy way to determine if the phasing is correct is to rotate the tool changer CW and see if it actually rotates CW, if not swap L1 and L3.

Also, if you plan to set the machines up yourself, make certain that you check all wire connections and screws inside the electrical cabinet.

[Ben Colby]

I had my shop wired by professional electricians with a three phase drop from the power
company. Over Fifty percent of the 3-phase machines were initially wired with the incorrect rotation. Instead of incurring more cost for extra time, I changed the wires
myself. They told me to turn off the main power breaker, remove the cover and change one wire with another at each machines breaker, they said it didn't matter which ones
were exchanged. I've been runnning this way for 5 years. Three CNC mills and one CNC
lathe didn't incurr any damage by initially being wired wrong.

You should be able to order any manual you need from Milltronic's part department.
Ask for Bob.

good luck
Ben

[Farmers Machine]

Save up the money and spend a week in Minnesota at the factory training. It will be the best money and time ever if you intend to be proficent, productive and profitable. Their controls are so powerful you cant put every thing in a manual. and there are a lot of short cuts for specific programming that will save time and money.Good luck the Farmer