We use Cimco MDC in here.

http://www.cimco.com/product_mdcmax_description.php3

Thanks for the input. Can not reconsider. The deal is done.

The post processor(s) have been purchased from GROB as well.

They brought in G350 yesterday as a loaner to get the project started. We have (15) G550's coming in and I'm just curious what is to be expected.

I have done a search here and G350 sounds like a lower end machine.

How about G550 with 840D control and HSK100 spindles? Any input on those?

23.125" Gage length. This one shows a drill, but we also had to mill c'bores with Ø.375 endmill using exact same setup. Sloooow RPM and Sloooow feedrate.

Precision Components is another choice.

http://pctooling.com/parts/face-millshell-mill-extensions/

Contact Lyndex-Nikken and request a .dxf file of the tool you need. They don't have solid models of their tools, but at least you could revolve it and check it against the print.

I don't think it would be an issue at all. We just ran 152 holes (.4375-16UNJS) in Ti. We will run this cutter in another part.

I believe threadmilling will be a lot less expensive as well as safer than using a die. IMO, It will last at least as long as your die.

Are you sure that you minor Ø is correct? Are you hitting bottom if hole is blind?  I don't know what your code looks like but below is what my threadmilling spread sheet gave me for results. I selected Lakeshore Carbide threadmill #L1/4-20THRDZ  Ø.180 for cutter dia. and .254 thread depth using 350sfm @ .0007 ipt . I don't use mastercam so my NX setting would be useless for you. Attached is a spread sheet for thread milling to help you out.

BTW, I have never used that brand of threadmills so I can't vouch for them.

FYI, I will vouch for the ElTool coolant driven heads. We have just purchased another one for our Integrex. They work great and are a bit less expensive compared to mechanical heads. We drill and mill titanium with them without any issues.

If you feel more comfortable using mechanical heads than look into Koma Slimline. We also use these as well with very good results.

http://www.komaprecision.com/2013%20Literature/Angle%20Heads/Alberti-Slimline%2013.0%20Save.pdf

The setup time was very minimal (if any). We used a combination of  http://www.jergensinc.com/Index.aspx  and http://www.miteebite.com/ for clamping. 

One of my previous places of employment was Omni Mold Systems. Their specialty was mold bases. We used hydraulics on our horizontals as well as verticals.

Rob, do you guys use Cimco DNC-Max on your Matrix controlled machines with ethernet?

No we don't Joe. Those machines are on the network.

Cimco DNC-Max with no issues here.

We use a lot of different systems and brands here and we mainly machine lots of HRSA that are very large. I am lazy in my older years so I usually get brands that have access to their CAD models in order to save me some work modeling them in vericut. Rego Fix is a system we are testing now and it seems to be working fine, but shrink fit is still my choice.

H.01 will check for broken condition only.

H-.01 will check for broken and pulled out condition.

But macro 9687 is for turning tools (according to my Renishaw manual) and it does not show that H value is an option for that macro.

For milling I use macro 9863. Works like a charm.

OK, just a tease then...

Every day's a schoolday!

I really wouldn't have thought that this was cost effective.

From my understanding the cost savings are $2-3 savings per ceramic insert. Not sure about carbide, but when you use $200K+ of tooling per month the savings are significant.

We have been doing this for years on round inserts only. Both carbide and ceramic. Obviously stepping down a size after regrind.

Sorry Joe. I decided to remove the pictures that I posted.

The machine is setup and will be ready to run next week as soon as they install the ball locks in the pallets.

We will be getting a lot more very large machines in the near future. Can't say anything else for now.

Ooops.

I belive CCAT offers that service.

http://www.ccat.us/mantech/section/Our_Resources

You are more then welcome whenever you are in the area Mark.