Don't they all make that claim? Much like CAM systems??

I would lean towards the Alzmettall and the Hermle. Both machines are built very solid and you can get the Heidenhain control on either one. In my opinion, the Heidenhain is the best control going. It may seem weird at first if you are living in a Fanuc world, but it's conversational programming is graphical and very straight foward. Also....since you are looking at a 5 axis machine, the plane functionality and tool center point control has been a strong point of the control long before Fanuc even considered it. Siemens also has had this functionality long before Fanuc, but in my opinion Heidenhain has more of a straight foward implementation of it. In North America, Hermle has more of a foothold then Alzmettall, which I'm guessing most people here has never heard of, so that may sway your thinking.

I've never seen anything like that before. I guess it could make sense in certain situations.

Did you figure out the problem? I'm pretty familiar with the Heidenhain control, but I have no clue what the problem could be.

It's the DL in the tool call. I'm guessing you are cutting with a 1/2 ball mill and you are programming to the center of the tool?

Very impressive!

Crazy.....so you have used hypermill before?

Never thought much about the Fanuc Robodrill. I knew a sales guy for Methods that once said they sell 60 a month! Anyways....I thought this was impressive for a budget machine.

http://www.mmsonline...blisk-machining Not a impeller but a blisk.

Guys.....I guess I stand corrected! Apparently the fix to Shawn's issue of needing secondary software to Mastercam is another seat of Mastercam. This makes perfect sense now!!!! There you go Shawn...your all set now. Hire all the programmers you need and be on your way! And what ever you do...never, ever, ever, ever try something new. You may find out that you'll have more power and control, but no one on earth will be able to figure it out.

I just hate that arguement, and it doesn't speak well for the people that use it as a crutch. If I owned a shop, and I was hiring a programmer, I would want one that wasn't stuck with a single CAM mindset. Same with controls. I worked as an AE for a machine tool company that only supplied Heidenhain controls on their machines. We were always fighting the "Fanuc is all I know" mindset. It's stupid and counterproductive. People need to open their minds, that's all.

Oh boy....nothing like an unbiased opinion! The arguement of picking a system due to the number of local users is such BS. A lot of people eat at Mcdonalds.....doesn't mean its the best.

Not sure if you got your answer, but the letter designation at the end of a HSK tool holder describes the taper configuration. I'm not sure the details, but an HSK#-A has a drive slot, and a HSK#-E does not. In your case of the difference between a HSK125 and a HSK125A.....I think your missing some information because there is always a letter at the end.

Happens all the time in this industry. That's why Fanuc has TCP now. I've seen people use dovetails for years, way before Raptor. I'm guessing 5th used/saw the Raptor design, liked it, and thought they could do better based on specific experience. Who knows/cares at this point, it's just an alternative.

Not sure about Raptor, but I've used this alternative with really good success. http://5axisfixtures.com/