Just pulled data from our tracking software. This is in cycle for our three lathes (Okuma Multus B300, B250, LT3000) since Jan 1, based on 24/7 production. Not too bad considering we do multiple setups in each machine everyday. We try to hold no more than 2-4 weeks inventory. We have about 300 part numbers that go through these three machines in monthly quantities ranging from 10 pcs to 500 pcs. Also, we only run one shift a day and minimal weekend times. We run a few different short 10-20 piece runs during the day and switch to longer running parts for overnight unattended. We also have a new Okuma U3000 that we are building the robot cell now. The auto door option for the machine is not scheduled to be delivered until mid next month. Once that is installed that machine will go into full production as well. That should give us a break on weekend demand from the machines, at least until we develop more products to sell.

A machine with a 530 HH is capable of taking a program created on Mcam, where you don't need to know anything about the tool lengths or the distance from the part from the Centers of rotation . You can position your part anywhere on your table and you will get an identical part every time with no reposting. For that you need a post using the PLANE or CYCLE 17 command for 3+2 work and M128 for 5-axis work. Mastercam has finally created a Generic 5-axis post which you can try out before making any monetary decisions. Programming a 5-axis machine using COR can be a thing of the past... Gracjan

We have 2 MX330's w/ 20K spindles in a robotic cell. Runs 24/7. Machine #1 has over 25,000 running hours on it. Machine #2 is around 18,000 hours. We did have issues with Machine #1 blowing out the internal air lines on the 4th/5th axis table. We wound up replacing all of them & have not had an issue since. Machine #2 never had that problem, guessing Matsuura changed the hose material sometime between the 2 mfg dates. Other than other general maintenance stuff (thru spindle coolant union, etc) They have been way solid. With a combined time of 43,000 hours if there was an issue we would of found it.

"...Issues..." That kind of specificity really helps.