Mighty Viper Gantry 5-axis mills

[Mjölnir]

We're looking at taking our first plunge into 5-axis machining and have heard good things about Mighty Viper machines from a reliable source.

 

Anyone here have an opinion about them? Better yet, anyone using Mighty Viper 5-axis mill we can see in action preferably in the North East US or South East Canada?

 

Barring that, as 5-axis neophytes, what are some questions we should be asking? Using Mastercam for programming has already been decided and people have been selected for training.

 

A preemptive thanks for anyone who has anything to offer.

[MLS]

Used to run an old Viper B5000... bridge style, nutating head... Programmed some 3+2 parts for it.

We didn't have a good Mastercam post, other guys were using NCL and did full 5-axis decently.

Post?
Vericut?
RTCP capability with it?

 

 

[Guest]

Some suggestions for the 5-Axis Neophytes (non-machine tool specific but still helpful).

 

DO NOT SKIMP on options. You'll pay a DEAR price. :

 

Get 600 Block Look Ahead MINIMUM (prefer 1,000 but 600 does pretty well except for mold making).

 

Get Smooth TCP

 

Get AICC-II

 

Get  NANO Smoothing

 

Get Bell Shape Interpolation

 

Get a Dataserver. 1GB. The control memory isn't quite as important but can be helpful.

 

Get Custom MACRO B and max out the variables.

 

Get at least 48 add'l work offsets.

 

Get at least triple the number of tool offsets that you have tool locations.

 

Get a spindle Probe.

 

Get a aTool Measurement System

 

Get a chip conveyor.

 

Get Through Spindle Coolant

 

 

That's a good start.

[Guest MTB Technical Services]

Before you buy, make a personal visit to their headquarters in Torrance, CA.

 

 

http://www.mightyviper.com/

[Newbeeee™]

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/cnc-machining/mighty-comet-cnc-198565/

 

May help a little?