5-Axis CNC mill needed

[sinebar58]

The shop I program at is looking into buying a 5-axis Milling machine to do very complex parts. We currently have Mastercam X MR1 SP2. I have never used the multiaxis feartures so I don't know how good they are. Can someone recomend a good 5-axis preferably with it's own software?

[Joe788]

Get a Matsuura/Mazak/Hermle/Mikron/Makino/Mori/Mitsui, upgrade to X4, get the Advanced Multiaxis package, buy a post from In House, and call it a day.

 

Seriously though, you need to give a much more detailed explanation of the type of parts you're making (size, shape, tolerance) and the volumes they are going to be made in for anybody to give a good recommendation.

[Ron Branch @ Verisurf]

I do not know of any 5 axis machine with it own software so can't help you there.

 

Like suggested get up to date that version you have is worthless in my opinion for Multi-axis work. Do a search this question has come up a lot in the lst few weeks.

 

HTH and welcome to the forum.

[MIL-TFP-41]

Matsuura's come with CAMPlete (both a post and verification package). Works very well with mastercam.

 

I also believe that all of the new Mori's come with Esprit built in....just saw a few of them last week

[Greg Williams]

Take a look at Okuma/Makino/Matsuura/Mikron/Hermle

[sinebar58]

Seriously though, you need to give a much more detailed explanation of the type of parts you're making (size, shape, tolerance) and the volumes they are going to be made in for anybody to give a good recommendation.

 

The type of parts I program are prototype parts for chain saws and other yard care products. I make everything from aluminum crankcases to carb adapters from a variety of different materials.

Tolerance are not bad because they are prototypes and anything critical is done on the manual machines. The engineers do like good finish quality and these parts have lot of small pockets that are deep with tiny radii and it's difficult to get small endmills down in those deep pockests and avoid walls. A 5-axis has become a must. As far as shapes go these parts have a lot of sculptured 3D surfaces and are as odd shaped as it gets. They don't lend themselves to simple programming. Hope that helps.

[iowajim62]

Matsurra 40 taper horizontal 5 ax with pallets would be my choice. This would be a great starter machine for $100K.

 

Matsuura-Mam-72-63V

[Mic]

quote:

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Matsurra 40 taper horizontal 5 ax

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I guess you mean vertical? Matsuura doesn't yet have a horizontal 5X in their program

[Quickmike]

Sound like you are doing parts that will be die cast aluminium in production. Lots of times when there are small radiuses in the bottom of pockets I look at using bull mill cutters. Not sure if this would help, but thought I would mention it.

[#Rekd™]

+1000 on the verification software.

[sinebar58]

Hom much has Mastercam X4 5-axis improved over Mastercam X? Is it worth upgrading?

[Josh T™]

quote:

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How much has Mastercam X4 5-axis improved over Mastercam X? Is it worth upgrading?

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100% yes it's worth it. If you are going to buy a custom post for your machine then you will definetly need to be current on X4.

[heavychevy2155]

Look at the X4 videos on Mastercam web page. Looks like the 5-Axis circle mill tool path would be worth the upgrade cost. Would save alot of time.

[vince cannarozzo]

look up SPINNER machine tools. a very accurate well built german machine. Our company just started representing them. spinners are on the same playing field as DMG. 3 control choices, siemens 840d, heidenhain, fanuc. the siemens and heidenhein both have strong programming software in them.

[Greg Williams]

The most inportant part is to get the correct machine spec for the parts that you need to manufacture. I believe that the following are must haves for almost all parts, But hey this is only my opinion

 

- 7MPA high pressure thru spindle coolant

- Thru spindle air

- 3+2 datum tracking in the control

- RTCP

- High speed cutting function that supports all 5 axis

- Direct drive rotary axis mototrs

- ABSO Scale feedback with rotary Inductosyn

- Dual contact spindles - HSK, Bigplus

- Thermal compenstation

- Verification software that is supported by the machine tool company

 

 

Extra's such as pallets, pallet pools and larger tool magazines are really dependant on what you want to cut

 

I would go with a company that has a local office near you. A company that has Apps guys who can prove they have the ability to cut your parts, to your spec. A company that has service people who can prove that they know there product and that they are attentative to your needs. A company that has links to local CAD/CAM people and who can demonstate that they can work together. A company that you have faith in.

 

Now I am not trying to scare you here but I believe that these are very important points. You definatly don't want a situaution where you cannot cut a part, and all of these people are standing in a circle pointing to the guy on the right. (LOL - Hey it happens) And you are still paying 10K per month on a lease with no sellable parts to show for it.

 

If service people, apps guys, CAM and verification people can all work together and can show you history of this then you have found the company to buy a machine tool from and you will not have any issues.

 

Also remember the golden rule, You get what you pay for

 

Good luck in your quest.

[Superman]

Fancy that, Greg didn't even mention a machine Co.

 

But fairs, fair. What tips you is going to be the machine's reputation and it's backup

[Josh T™]

Not to mention service support. Our Hermle support here in SC is pretty non-existant. We just had to fly a guy here from California!

[35K chipper]

Me thinks Greg is an Okuma guy. Me too! You get what you pay for.

 

35k

[Chipmakr]

quote:

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Tolerance are not bad because they are prototypes and anything critical is done on the manual machines.

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