Slave and all the rest. You are starting to narrow my choices .. which I needed. Since I have a CAD.. what are the disadvantages of going just the CAM route. Such as ESPRIT or EdgeCam? The more I look at MasterCam the more I like it. Plus I could hang around here and bug all you folks. Explain the advantages of MC vs CAM add ons. This will enable me to justify my choice to my upper management folks.

Lloyd, What current model Okuma would compare to your Crown L1420? I would like to do some research online to view the options and capacity of this type.

Robert T. 25 miles East. Walker

Very fortunate. Lost power 2 days. Minor wind damage on trees. House fine. Compared to most of the rest of the folks we were blessed.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

Hardmill, We will be machining shaftsthe most in a diameter range of 4-6 inches 48-54 inches long. Tolerance .0005 on bearing fits about 2-3 inches long. .001 tolerance on impeller, coupling fits 6 inches long. Most of the time the middle of the shaft is just along for the ride to hold the ends together. We would like to use the same machine to make wear rings for the impellers and case wear rings. 4-18 inches diameter with wall thickness of 12 inch .. up to 6 inches long, material bronze to inconel. tolerance + or - .001 on OD and + or - .005 on the ID. Coupling hubs up to 10 inch OD, 6 inch bore. tolerance .001 Id, OD .002, and right now we broach the keyways up to 1 " wide.

OK folks. I have read alot since joining. I have on my flame protection suit. I am looking for that ole free advice. Background: Machinist 30 years. OK at 3D drawings with Autodesk Inventor 11. CNC experience: 2 axis and 3 axis knee type mill experience. Not yet a registered MC user. I am here and posting because you have allowed me to do so. And by the way I do appreciate the privilage. We are looking to move into the CNC pond. We are a large rotating equipment repair facility for a major refining company. We do not and will not have a staff just do CNC programing. We are looking at producing more of our long term delivery parts in our shop rather than being at the mercy of some OEM's. Regular ole pump shafts up to about 4 foot. It would be nice to cut the keyways at the same time. Having the ability to machine and index in the 4 axis would great. Production.. no. short runs of 2 or 3 at the same time of the some shafts, coupling hubs, etc, maybe repeat those runs 3-4 times a year. Considering training 3-4 folks to learn to use the software and the machine. Not sure which type of Machine would be the most flexible to meet those needs. Materials will run from 4140 to 316 SS to 410 SS to Inconel. The software should be of the type we can train some folks and get them up and running in a few weeks. We have no need to make molds. However, the technology is neat and it would be nice to make a few trick parts to show off. A diameter of around 6 inches at 4 foot or less would be about the range we are looking to fill. Also, the machinig center should be capable of convential milling type operation on flat parts such as flanges, adapters, etc. I realize this is very general information and covers a wide range but I am not sure without specific questions from you just the best way to narrow it down. Now on the the software phase.. again about 4 folks who are already machinist, familar with 3D drawings and the concepts. As folks get promoted (yes some do) then we would train ourselves and pass it along until we reach the point we need some formal classes. We have a 4 year apprenticeship program and I plan to include CNC into its curriculum. We have many older manual machines that we plan to upgrade on a 5 year plan to "teach" type lathes and mills. We have some very large vertical and horizonal mills that will remaing manual. We like the results from our knee type mill. Conversational programing, flexible and user friendly. Now we need to take the next step to full CNC. The software is very important in that it a regular ole Joe with some excellent machinist skills and desire can learn will be asked to program and produce parts. I do realize this is the MasterCam forum. However, that being said and after reading many posts I have come to the conclusion the experience here is not limited to MC nor any particular brand/type of machines. Folks share their knowledge and experience without reserve. Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated. I will try to narrow down any of the gaps I have not covered. Thanks for taking the time. I am ready to duck

Hmm, hit return key ... Anyway IMHO for a small shop doing short run production work the control is fine. Easy to learn and with MasterCam you can produce some very good parts rather fast. Like mentioned above it aint a 4/5/6 axis CNC but.. it offers many more jobs opportunities than the convential manual knee mill. Good luck

Mike, Is the Bridgeport a Series I or Series II? Was it a CNC type machine such as the Boss? SouthWestern Industries makes a retro kit for many models. If it was a CNC already and the ball screws are good then that will save them a few bucks. The latest controls (SMX3) come with many options.. such as electronic handwheels, DXF input, G Code editing at the machine, etc. The extra options of course cost extra. Thread milling is any example of a canned cycle that comes with the higher end package. Also, Route 66 makes retrofit kit with a nice Z axis. I believe the costs for all the options including electronic hand wheels is under 20K. IMHO