Update 1 - 11/14/2022
I have received several other quotes from OmniCNC, Acctek CNC, and a few much less common brands. The prices are all close in line between $14k-$18k delivered CIF (shipping with insurance to NY port) for a 1530 (5'x10') machine with vacuum table and auto tool changer. The differences seem to be minor and are partially related to components and specs, partially related to quality. I will detail the differences between an Acctek quote and StyleCNC quote.
The differences that I see so far -
Style CNC always has pneumatic pop up pins in their vacuum tables. It is an option for Acctek. These do seem to be necessary.
Acctek has a 7.5kw vacuum pump while StyleCNC sends two 2.5kw vac pumps with an option for another 1 or 2 at $400 each. The table has 6 zones, so pumps can be plumbed into individual zones.
StyleCNC is offeringTaiwan LNC is standard while Acctek is using Syntec 60W-e standard. I like the look of the LNC controller better, but I know Syntec is more common.
StyleCNC has 12 tool changer, while Acctek has 8 tool changer (upgradable).
StyleCNC is quoting 1500w Leadshine servos and Acctek is quoting 750w Delta servos. Delta may be better, but Leadshine are larger - thoughts?
Warrranty on Acctek is 1.5/3 year Warranty on StyleCNC is 1 year.
Acctek machine is a brand new design for their company, so perhaps it has some bugs to work out.
StyleCNC has many more and better videos of their machines including a nice video on Controller setup for the LNC controller.
I talked to a customer in CT, USA that bought a StyleCNC machine in 2017 and visited their factory (because his bank told him not to purchase in case it was a scam). He said that they had good support to help him get setup and work out the issues. It has been 5 years and his machine is still running and has good things to say about it.
Price with everything similar is within $2000 or less for both companies when you work out all the different parts and options. StyleCNC is open to me increasing the specs on any of these components, but also not recommending that I do that as they feel the standard machine is good enough for most people. I am probably "most people" as I have not seen the perfect precision of a $200k machine. Is it worth it to upgrade to Yaskawa servos, try to specify a German rack, and go with a more expensive HSD spindle? Probably not for most applications since I would otherwise be purchasing a basic CNC machine from someone in the US with basic Nema 34 steppers, no vacuum table, a 3kw spindle, no ATC, and no stand alone control system for the same price. Any of these specs are certainly better than that option.
Any thoughts on vacuum pump size? I know that I should have at least 7.5kw of capacity, and for production that is not high volume, it may be nice to have separate pumps that I can turn on and off f I am just using a small area of the bed at a time.
So unless anyone can talk me out if it in the next few days, I will place an order with StyleCNC for a STM1530C machine and see how it goes. It was good talking to a local customer that bought from them, and being 5 years further in the future is probably a good ting as I can't see their quality or service getting worse over that time. I will use Alibaba Trade Assurance, Alibaba inspection Service, try to get a good contract written with them and include a few specifics such as that the machine is clean, oiled, greased, and rust protected, a measurement report of machine (anyone have a list of things to have them measure?), - what else? I have a shipping broker that I use for LTL and they can certainly help handle the customs and shipping for me. I am close tot he port, so I will borrow a 20' trailer and go pick it up. Then it is just a matter of getting it off the trailer and into the shop.
I have two North American Rotary 20hp phase converters, but the voltages are not perfectly balanced on the different legs. I am hoping that they can help send new capacitors to help with that.