Review BR80/150 after 4 years of use
We purchased a BR80/150 4 years ago. The machine replaced a huge Haas machine because we needed a really wide Y axis. Upon initial starting of the machine the conversational programming never worked. Even a simple drilling cycle the machine would go up in Z rather than down. It displays MACRO instead of Gcode so you never know what it will do next....what can an operator do with 20 lines of MACRO on the screen at all times while cutting. Absolutely disgusted with the conversational side. I chalk it up to more than just operator error the machine would not take a -3. for drilling 3" deep it wanted a positive number and would only move upwards. All I can say is THANK GOODNESS for MASTERCAM. Which we had. A simple switch of the post processor and we were off to the races. We never looked back again at the conversational control. Everything we do is SD card to the machine.
So lets talk about the control which at the time was a Centurion 7.
The BAD.. Leaving a SD card in errors out the control on start up so you have to walk around, pull the SD card and restart. The menu choices are different to say the least than a Fanuc, Fadal, Haas, Mazak or almost any other major brand when loading or editing files. They could make it easier. So if you want to bring in a program but check it for editing you need to go to program/conv/drive/e...but then it errors once...then esc/drive/e then you have your list. So you pick your program and edit it with the clunky key buttons. Some of them..depending on moisture level or sea level or distance from the moon would not work without pressing harder than normal...next day..fine. So then you save your changes. Now you go to jog and set your part G54 which is pretty cool but the keyboard jog is totally independent from the jog handle they are two separate options. There is a part zero set button for the axis you select on the jog handle but it does not register in the control...so why have it. The only real way we found to touch off a tool was to use the jog handle button (HDW) then jog to the part, then esc and go to jog (Which is the keyboard) then use the Z tool button. Now when your ready to run there is an active program number...now lets back up. You actually have to remember this number as the same number from your editing of the program or it will run the last program you ran. So if you werent sure if you are on the right program you are headed back to Program/conv/drive/e...error...drive/e/...oh yeah thats the program number...so esc/run/program/drive/e...esc/run/start. The feedrate also controls the rapid speed so if you want to slow down you have to click it counterclockwise. And it has a very strong click. You can hit slide hold but the machine wont stop on a dime it takes almost 2 inches to stop in a z rapid move. The machine used so much air a 10hp V twin could not keep up so we disabled the air purge and ran it to our main air supply (rotary). When the oil runs low it has a fire alarm decible single pitch alarm that will get your attention. But it uses very little oil.
Ok so that was the BAD....which is all about the clunky interface. Now the good!
Machine is superbly accurate. The bed had about .0005 of sag which for us is very acceptable we did not remill it. The chip conveyor work pretty well but 30 foot augers can get bound by stringers. The coolant tank is massive....is that 150 gallons! We had to put a PHASEP unit on it to keep the coolant fresh. Works great! The machine actually had more power than the 50 taper monster haas it replaced. It was an older haas but it had a 50 taper and a 40hp drive. We have milled steel and aluminum mostly. The machine is like a huge monster mill that is totally access-able and very simple to use once you get the control quirks down. The control is also rock solid and we have not done anything to the machine but add oil and coolant. Tapped holes in the table have proven themselves priceless. I actually prefer this type of table over T slot. It is super easy and faster to clean. All in all I think the BR8/150 is outstanding for a 40 taper bridge mill. It cuts like an old high torque Fadal, has 1000ipm rapids, taps like a mad man and comes back for more every day.
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We have had good luck with our Fadals milling mostly soft steel and aluminum up to 5 axis. We are always looking for spare parts :) If you have a broken down Fadal give a shout.
Re: Review BR80/150 after 4 years of use
Hi Carbide, WOW. that is so "untypical" of a Milltronics. I have to wonder if there is an under lying problem, bad / loose connector for the key boards or ??? ask on the site, this is unheard of.
give me a call, 952-288-6340, 8am to 8pm Monday thru Sat. we will get to the bottom of it.
sportybob
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