Recommendations for smallish VMC?


Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 36

Thread: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

  1. #1
    Member aarongough's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    473
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    Hey guys!
    I'm getting to the point with my business where I think introducing CNC into my processes is a good idea. I'm not new to CNC personally, though I don't have one in the shop at the moment. My CNC experience has mainly been with routers, but I'm sure I'll pick up CNC milling quickly enough.

    I'm looking for a smaller VMC that can fit through a 6x7' double door into my shop and not take up too much space once it's in there. The machine will mainly cut annealed tool steel and G10 composite, as well as making fixtures and jigs from aluminum. The machine will be doing small runs of parts in various materials. It's won't likely be run more than 16 hours per week.

    The machine will be doing 3D contouring in G10, and mainly drilling/side milling on the tool steel.

    I've considered a fully rigged out Tormach machine, but I'm worried that it may not last in the long run or be as capable as a proper small VMC. I've learnt my lesson about buying once, so I'm trying to do it properly now.

    The machines I've looked at so far (online, not seen in person):
    - HAAS mini-mill
    - Kent USA KVR2418 (seems like a nice machine)
    - Hurco VM1
    - Sharp mini-mill
    - Tormach PCNC1100 (with enclosure, toolchanger and so on)

    KBC tools here in Canada have the Kent machine with a lease option for ~$1200 per month which would make life easier.

    I'm also open to the idea of buying used, but it would have to be a solid machine in good shape as I'm not sure I want to spend a lot of time fixing something up. If an older VMC with an outdated control was available REALLY cheaply then that's something I'd consider. I'm comfortable with the electronics/programming side of things so retrofitting a machine to run EMC2 would be an option.

    What do you guys recommend looking at? I'm after something that's going to last and produce a lot of trouble-free parts.

    Similar Threads:
    Gough Custom - http://goughcustom.com/


  2. #2
    Registered
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Posts
    12
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    Recommendations for smallish VMC?-tos-jpg
    As I know, the "MITSUBISHI" is a good in milling... you can google it and find.
    Here is the picture I discovered,not sure whether it is fit for your need.

    Machine, For save labors.
    --Wisebuy365


  3. #3
    Monkeywrench Technician DareBee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Stratford, Ont. Canada
    Posts
    3154
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    A 10000RPM (or faster) spindle and high feed rates would be a must for 3d surfacing aluminum (if it were me)

    www.integratedmechanical.ca


  4. #4
    Member aarongough's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    473
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    Quote Originally Posted by DareBee View Post
    A 10000RPM (or faster) spindle and high feed rates would be a must for 3d surfacing aluminum (if it were me)
    Yes I agree. The Kent KVR2418 seems the nicest in most regards so far. It has a 10K rpm spindle, along with rapids all the way up to 1300ipm, and feedrates up to about 600ipm. It also has a lot of stuff standard that seems to be extras on other machines, though granted it has the price to match. I'm also looking at:

    HAAS minimill2 (doesn't seem like a strong contender)
    Sharp SV2412
    First MCV300
    Hurco VM1
    Hardinge GX300

    I have to go to the shop today and confirm how big the largest doors are in the building, I'm not sure that they're actually big enough to fit something like the KVR2418 through...

    Gough Custom - http://goughcustom.com/


  5. #5
    Member mactec54's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    15362
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    aarongough

    The Kent if you can fit it, next would be the Bridgeport GX300 a little short in travels though, then the Haas Mini Mill 2 or the MCV300

    Look at the weight of the machines, this is a big factor in machine performance, & quality of finished parts, also the controls they have, this is what you have to work with, not all controls are equal, & may not do the work you want it to do

    Mactec54


  6. #6
    Registered
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    87
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    the brother speedio machines would be worth looking at as well



  7. #7
    Member aarongough's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    473
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    Quote Originally Posted by mactec54 View Post
    aarongough

    The Kent if you can fit it, next would be the Bridgeport GX300 a little short in travels though, then the Haas Mini Mill 2 or the MCV300

    Look at the weight of the machines, this is a big factor in machine performance, & quality of finished parts, also the controls they have, this is what you have to work with, not all controls are equal, & may not do the work you want it to do
    Hey Mactec!
    Long time no speak my friend, great to see you're still helping people out! Last time we spoke was when I was embarking on my doomed lathe spindle project

    I've talked to a Sharp rep this morning regarding the SV2412S-F. It seems the control on that has very limited lookahead (12 blocks), so that may not be a good choice for some of my potential work (making positive forms for vacuum forming). The Kent machine has a higher grade control (Fanuc OiMC).

    From what I've seen so far the Kent seems like the most capable machine overall, and it's available locally through a tooling supplier that I already use. Unfortunately though I've done a lot of searching about it and the only information I was able to find was 1 negative thread on a forum... No other user groups or anything. I believe it's a newer machine. Have you had any experience with Kent machines?

    Thanks,
    Aaron

    Gough Custom - http://goughcustom.com/


  8. #8
    Member aarongough's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    473
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    Quote Originally Posted by amish_rabbi View Post
    the brother speedio machines would be worth looking at as well
    I saw those briefly the other day, they look very cool with their unique toolchanger design! Are the Fanuc Robodrills the same machine, or do they just share the toolchanger design?

    Gough Custom - http://goughcustom.com/


  9. #9
    Registered
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    87
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    Different machines I believe but similar design principal. the speeds they run at would make it very good for aluminum and G10, especially with small cutters and 3d contouring. They are also pretty compact.

    BTW, where in Canada are you?



  10. #10
    Member aarongough's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    473
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    Quote Originally Posted by amish_rabbi View Post
    Different machines I believe but similar design principal. the speeds they run at would make it very good for aluminum and G10, especially with small cutters and 3d contouring. They are also pretty compact.

    BTW, where in Canada are you?
    In Downtown Toronto, which is why getting a large machine like this can be a little interesting!

    At least I'm no longer working out of my bedroom, getting a VMC in there would be a challenge

    Gough Custom - http://goughcustom.com/


  11. #11
    Member mactec54's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    15362
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    aarongough

    The Brother & the RoboDrill are both good machines, the Brother being the lightweight, of all of the above machines, Both of these machines were designed for high speed drilling & tapping the Robodrill is almost twice the weight of the Brother & the Kent is around double weight of what the Robodrill, this tells you what to be looking at, how well the machine is built, the weight ( minimum 5,000 LBS ) for a medium performance machine & the control Fanuc Nano control if you can

    Bedroom would be a hard fit for any of these machines, you would have to re enforce the floor some unless it was already concrete

    Mactec54


  12. #12
    Member aarongough's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    473
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    Quote Originally Posted by mactec54 View Post
    aarongough

    The Brother & the RoboDrill are both good machines, the Brother being the lightweight, of all of the above machines, Both of these machines were designed for high speed drilling & tapping the Robodrill is almost twice the weight of the Brother & the Kent is around double weight of what the Robodrill, this tells you what to be looking at, how well the machine is built, the weight ( minimum 5,000 LBS ) for a medium performance machine & the control Fanuc Nano control if you can

    Bedroom would be a hard fit for any of these machines, you would have to re enforce the floor some unless it was already concrete
    I spent some time measuring up all the doorways and such at the shop today, unfortunately there's no way I can fit the Kent, or Sharp machines into the shop, they won't fit through the building doorways, nor the shop doorway.

    The Hardinge GX480 would fit though (it's 62" wide), so that's a potential option. The Brother S500X1 would also fit, I'm looking for other options too.

    Gough Custom - http://goughcustom.com/


  13. #13
    Member Tkamsker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Austria
    Posts
    1189
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    Did you Look at smaller Option like novakon ?


    Gesendet von iPad mit Tapatalk



  14. #14
    Member aarongough's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    473
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    Quote Originally Posted by Tkamsker View Post
    Did you Look at smaller Option like novakon ?


    Gesendet von iPad mit Tapatalk
    I haven't heard of that before, I will look it up.

    I was looking at the Hurco machines last night, they look like they'd fit and they look like nice machines!

    Gough Custom - http://goughcustom.com/


  15. #15
    Member Tkamsker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Austria
    Posts
    1189
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    Novakon is Canadian maybe you can Check factory. I am working also on similar mill but it is really Europa build ... so have a Look at novakon because i believe we Should Try to buy locally ...



  16. #16
    Member aarongough's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    473
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    Quote Originally Posted by Tkamsker View Post
    Novakon is Canadian maybe you can Check factory. I am working also on similar mill but it is really Europa build ... so have a Look at novakon because i believe we Should Try to buy locally ...
    Right, I will have a look at them!

    As an update: I have chatted with reps from Kent, Hurco, Hardinge and Sharp now.

    Apparently the Kent machine will fit into the shop if some of the sheet-metal is removed beforehand. The Kent KVR2418 still seems like the strongest option overall, with the Hurco VM10i running in second.

    Gough Custom - http://goughcustom.com/


  17. #17
    Monkeywrench Technician DareBee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Stratford, Ont. Canada
    Posts
    3154
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    I'm sure the Novakon is a great machine but it is not in the same class as the other machines you are shopping.
    Powermax Machinery in Mississauga has been very good to me and always has quality products. They now sell a line called BaronMax that you could look into

    www.integratedmechanical.ca


  18. #18
    Member Tkamsker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Austria
    Posts
    1189
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    You are right about class if the Bigger like Kent are Avail fit to Budget then go for it i just wanted to make the canadian Option Known ,..


    Gesendet von iPad mit Tapatalk



  19. #19
    Registered jid2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Auburn, WA - USA
    Posts
    605
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    When i asked Hurco if a VM10i could be broken down to fit into a 7' height doorway they said no.

    Be sure to dig into memory and program size on any fanuc machine. If you have big surfacing programs you may run into issues. You end up having to use sub programs and run directly off memory cards and crap. Fanuc Oi controls are basically user unfriendly and behind the times.

    I went through this same decision and got a Brother Speedio. Its a beautiful Japanese machine, as fast as they come and dead reliable. But you pay for that.



  20. #20
    Member aarongough's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    473
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Recommendations for smallish VMC?

    Quote Originally Posted by jid2 View Post
    When i asked Hurco if a VM10i could be broken down to fit into a 7' height doorway they said no.

    Be sure to dig into memory and program size on any fanuc machine. If you have big surfacing programs you may run into issues. You end up having to use sub programs and run directly off memory cards and crap. Fanuc Oi controls are basically user unfriendly and behind the times.

    I went through this same decision and got a Brother Speedio. Its a beautiful Japanese machine, as fast as they come and dead reliable. But you pay for that.
    Thanks for the feedback! Interesting that they said the Hurco machine can't be broken down. The Kent is bigger and the rep said they wouldn't have any issues fitting it through the door by removing some sheet metal... I will also keep an eye on the control specs. The Kent machine comes with a Fanuc control, but it's shipped standard with 200 block of lookahead, not sure how much program memory it has, will have to check into that.

    I've gotten some rough quotes back:
    Kent KVR2418 ~$53-55k
    Hardinge GX480 ~$82k

    Waiting on pricing from Hurco and Sharp still.

    Gough Custom - http://goughcustom.com/


Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


About CNCzone.com

    We are the largest and most active discussion forum for manufacturing industry. The site is 100% free to join and use, so join today!

Follow us on


Our Brands

Recommendations for smallish VMC?

Recommendations for smallish VMC?