OT - machine tool recommendation

[Diedesigner]

Hi all,

 

One of our tooling engineers is looking for a machine tool recommendation for rough/finish hard-mill machining of 3D shaped tooling that will go into a turret press. I imagine the machine tool needs to have a high rpm spindle, and heavy duty construction to dampen vibration.

 

Can any of you here share your experiences, both good and bad, of different brand machines you have worked with?

 

The one that comes to mind for me is "Hermle" though I've never run one -- I've just seen the ads in the trade publications.

 

Thanks,

Chris

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

For Hard Milling the "You can't go wrong with ..." would be;

 

[*]Mori Seiki

[*]Yasda

[*]Makino

JM2C

[Hardmill]

Yasda, by far the best with a price tag to match.

 

 

PEACE

[iowajim62]

Hi Diedesigner,

 

I'm gonna get it from James for this

 

MAZAK

MAZAK

MAZAK

j/k James

 

Seriously tho'

 

http://www.americanmachinist.com/full_story.php?WID=7225

 

This article impressed me.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

There was one I was forgetting and that was the one.

 

Mikron.

 

Oh, also Kitamura is definitely worth a look as wekk.

 

Thanks for the reminder.

 

BTW Mazak was INTENTIONALLY left off that list. You said you wanted a quality machine.

[beav700]

Makino would be my choice. We hard mill all the trim dies and hold 0.0003 on RC 56-58 all day long.

[mold100]

Makino V55 or V77 Number 1 in my book.

 

I wouldnt waste my my money on a mikron when there are other machines availble, I run a HSM700

and I cant stand it, It leaks more oil than any 20 year old machine I have ever seen (bad for graphite,it makes mud), its over sensitive, No roughing ability what so ever, A V55 would eat this machine alive.It is extremely accurate(sp?)

but so are the Makinos.

 

I have heard noting but good about the others YASDA- I heard REALLY CHA-CHING$$$$$$$$$.

Mazak pretty solid.

[Chip-pan]

We just got a Kitumara 4apc on the floor.

we are installing probes on in now. My fingers are itiching. Comes with a funac 16i with a lcd color flatscreen. It weighs 36000 lbs

 

 

Chip-pan

[Roger Peterson]

A good freind of mine runs a yasda-very good machine but the fanuc control is setup a little touchy compared to a mori or makino.-fanuc control

 

Makino-obviously-fanuc control

 

Matsuura-Yasnac controls are user freindly on a very well built machine

 

Hermle-very well built. Anyone who has made the transition to the heidenhein is a convert for life.

 

Roeders-High buck, very impressive. Proptietary Controller doesn't like arcs but I have a post for you.

 

Kitamura-good rep, no personal experience.-fanuc control

 

Roku-Roku-their smallest is really a high speed graphite but you bump up a size or two and your rippin.-fanuc control

 

 

I'm pretty sure you'll be very happy with any of the above for hardmilling. The dealer and service can be just as important as the machine.

[Lucky]

lots of good recomendations. Also consider:

 

Mikron

Roeders

OKK

[Diedesigner]

Thanks everyone. Your replies have been forwarded to the tooling engineer.

 

Chris