Yasda YMC430 vs Matsuura LF-160: Linear Motor Machine Comparison

[JCDFCM]

Does anyone have experience with either one of these two machines or any other linear motor machines? They are expensive to say the least. Our parts fit in one hand and usually consist of the exotic materials with close tolerance (true positions between .001-.004). We don't like to get too wrapped up into specs such as scales of .010 micrometers or .0001 mm scale feedback as both machines are all insanely precise but we would like opinions of actual positioning accuracy as well as repeatability in X,Y,Z,B, &C axis (pallet change repeatability as well). Also any feedback on long term maintenance would be great.

Basically what are we getting ourselves into regardless of which machine we get. Besides a good balancer and  precision holders, thermal systems, etc., what other factors should be considered. Has anyone had either machine for more than 5 years. If you had to do it all over, would you get another linear motor machine?

Thanks, JCDFCM

 

 

[Leon82]

We have a microcenter 2 430.

It has the big dashawa camera tool setter and the omp700 probe. Mql lube system and 40k spindle. We have the haimer balancer and their holders have the smiley face when we run them. 

Also the column design is more rigid than a regular vertical. The tool changer passes thru the middle of it. 

 

It's nice. But I don't know if they make boring bars for the hsk32. We interpolate holes to less than 10 micron true position. Not much torque however. A 4.7mm drill when dull has caused torque alarms in TI.

 

You can use the probe with the handle so that's handy sometimes. It has a fluid thermal thingy on it but to get the advertised accuracy it needs to be in a lab probably.

 

The camera has a flat checker so it will run the spindle and check the tool and if it's not at the right height it will run some more and recheck.

 

Also if it sits and you run a program it will hold and run the spindle untill it feels it's warm enough. So basically there is no need to warm up the spindle because it will do it on it's own.

It is pure fanuc also. No manual guidei or overlay except for an easy me screen

[Newbeeee™]

IMO you need a good temp stable (not necessarily temp controlled)  shop, and an even better floor before even looking at this type of machine.

[Leon82]

It sits on some kind of isolation device with an adjustment screw. I'm not sure exactly what it does but the tech leveled it with them

[JCDFCM]

We plan on investing in a climate controlled room with the proper foundation and are looking into a Haimer balancer with a Haimer heat shrink machine as well...your thoughts on the Haimer balancer? Is it worth the investment? I believe Big Kaiser may have some boring heads on HSK. This is a huge investment and homework needs to be done. Thanks for the replies.

JCDFCM

[Leon82]

5 hours ago, JCDFCM said:

We plan on investing in a climate controlled room with the proper foundation and are looking into a Haimer balancer with a Haimer heat shrink machine as well...your thoughts on the Haimer balancer? Is it worth the investment? I believe Big Kaiser may have some boring heads on HSK. This is a huge investment and homework needs to be done. Thanks for the replies.

JCDFCM

The haimer rep told us that the tolerance for the hsk32 was so low and the holder so small that the balancer accuracy was close to the limit( .5 gram mm I think).  

We got the bt40 cartridge for it also to get a little more value but we don't use it much

 

The hsk32 haimer holders are all under 1 gram mm empty. It does a 0 and 180 degree balance and usually you can rotate the tool to fix.

being g linear machine it does a z axis break check every time you turn it on and they had to change some settings for the auto timer to come on properly

Our machine has the interchange ferrite heads in the magnet. The Gen 2 has a dial on the magnet for the size

[JCDFCM]

What percentage of cutting tools do you run over 30,000 rpm?  We too were kicking around the idea of a BT40 cartridge for our 20,000 rpm machines for more value but the Haimer balancer was mainly considered for the 46,000 rpm Matsuura. The cutting tool diameters range from .015 - .125 and the material is a variety of stainless and Titanium. HSK-E40 is the taper. Do you notice better surface finish and better tool life on cutter assemblies that are balanced? Is it marginal or substantial? On paper and an assumption, the answer is "yes" but I would like to know from someone that actually uses it as an HSK-E40 heat shrink from a high end vendor is extremely cylindrical without notches and runout is minimal to begin with...and a good balancer is not cheap.

Thanks, JCDFCM

 

[Leon82]

Our bt40 machines are 20k max. Honestly We don't use it much. We haven't really done a side by comparison between balanced and in balanced.

 

But at 40k harmonics could play a role in finish