5 Axis Router recommendation .

[Tyler Robertson]

One bonus robots have is they're damned indestructible. maintenance? hahahahahahahahaha

[Thee Starry™]

And if you are interested in expanding into robotic welding, Tyler is an expert in the field who would be happy to assist you in getting set up.

[mcpgmr]

Can Robots hold the same or better tolerances than CNC's ?

[Tyler Robertson]

Can Robots hold the same or better tolerances than CNC's ?

 

either slightly worse, or very worse. They have much more flexibility but at a cost of not being as accurate.

 

That said they are very repeatable - given their usual role, they have to be dependable even if the initial programming time costs are high.

 

CNC's have the benefit of being usually specific to some task: cutting wood, or cutting metal or grinding or .. etc. and sometimes have restrictions placed on their motion (3-axis) in order to increase rigidity, decrease complexity etc.

 

whereas robots can weld, spray, polish, cut etc.

[mcpgmr]

Thanks Tyler.

[crazy^millman]

Can Robots hold the same or better tolerances than CNC's ?

 

Answered well by Tyler, but things are being done to address those issues. In 20 years do not be surprised to see a lot more things that can be done by Robotic arms once never thought practical just 10 years ago.

[mkd]

Previous to moving their manufacturing to china, and then back to the USA, I would agree 100%. They were more rigid machines, made right here in Minnesota and ran Fanuc controls. Much easier to work with for most people and were so much more accurate and repeatable than Thermwood. The Thermwood SuperControl is easy enough, but still required new training due to the proprietary nature of the system and they weren't nearly as rigid and accurate, nor could they hold tight tolerances very well. With the advent of the Model 90 and the Super 90, Thermwood resolved the rigidity, accuracy and tolerance issues greatly so the gap was negated. The fact that they never left America puts them ahead of KOMO now, IMO.

interesting^^^

FWIW i just reviewed a laser calibration on a model 90 today. worst spot was 1800 micro inch (.018" if i did the math right) on 147" axis. The rest of machine was much closer.

[crazy^millman]

A microinch (μin) is a non-SI (non-System International) measurement unit of length or distance, and equal to one millionth of an inch (0.000001 inch).

 

Sorry, but I think your math is off I think that is .0018" not .018".

 

HTH

[Tyler Robertson]

I hope it is!

[mcpgmr]

Had Breton and CMS in today to discuss their machine tools. Nice stuff! Definitely more than CNC Routers for sure.

[kathy]

Previous to moving their manufacturing to china, and then back to the USA, I would agree 100%. They were more rigid machines, made right here in Minnesota and ran Fanuc controls. Much easier to work with for most people and were so much more accurate and repeatable than Thermwood. The Thermwood SuperControl is easy enough, but still required new training due to the proprietary nature of the system and they weren't nearly as rigid and accurate, nor could they hold tight tolerances very well. With the advent of the Model 90 and the Super 90, Thermwood resolved the rigidity, accuracy and tolerance issues greatly so the gap was negated. The fact that they never left America puts them ahead of KOMO now, IMO.

 

Jay, 'starry69' said it best. I wasn't aware that Komo moved their manufacturing over to China; I've been out of this world since 2006. However, our two Komo's at Applied where workhorses and produced a lot of good hardware. The two Thermwoods we had were just terrible, along with the attitude and non-support from Thermwood.

[Buddy J]

... BTW, COBHAM Defense? You guys have a facility close to where I work I believe. See ya!

 

That would be our Lansdale Facility in Pa.

I'm @ the Baltimore location

Good luck finding what you need