Thanks Dan, The Chevalier may not be a high end machine but I've only heard good things when compairing apples with apples.

Thanks YoDoug, I have managed to get the Fanuc controler on shorter lead time and will go ahead with this. Thanks for your knowledge. Regards Jim

Thanks Newbeeee, My dealer has come back now with a 3 month wait on the Fanuc so that is not to long to wait, so I have gone ahead ahead with this. Thanks very much for your help. Kind regards Jim

Thanks Brad, But I know the price for an Okuma is outside my budget, and I also know they are really good machines, but I need to increase our capacity in a manner I can afford.

Thanks Newbeee, I'm now woundering if the siemens control would be better for the 3d surfacing work you normally do in mould tools, if the block processing is faster, this is wear im trying to get a good increase in productivity in our toolroom. We also program and then send to the machine.

Hi, The machine is going to be a Chevalier QP2440-L

Hi, The machine is going to be a Chevalier QP2440-L

Hi Guys, I am just about to order a new vmc for our mould making Toolroom, this is going to be a 3 axis mill with a rotary table addition so will end up 4 axis. I had requested the latest Fanuc 0iMD Control with an upgrade package for high speed surfacing ( look ahead, and bigger servos, 15k Direct drive head. ) But have been told their is a long delay getting Fanuc controls, and have been offered a Siemens 828D Control, My problem is I don't know any thing about Siemens controls are they as a good as the Fanuc I wanted? Should I wait 4 months for a Fanuc?. If you have any experience with either control, any help would be much appreciated. Thanks Jim.

I have have owed my TM1 four over 5 years now, and still like it I change my max spindle speed from 4000rpm to 6000rpm as it is the same motor and spindle as the mini mill. Max Spindle Speed Parameters ----------------------------------------------- There are two parameters that you will need to change to increase your spindle speed. 131-MAX SPINDLE RPM 183-Sp MAX FREQ (PAR 183= MAX SPINDLE SPEED / 3 * 10) SO IF YOU WANT YOUR SPINDLE TO BE ABLE TO GO TO 6000. 131 = 6000 183 = 20000 You should run in the spindle with no load for 2-3 hours increasing to max speed, and make changes to your warm up program. Jim.

I have this problem and I,m usins X-Mr2 so its been around for awhile.

I think you hold your shift-key and untick that opperation, then it won't be backploted.

Hold on, I thinks its the same anwser. Thanks Ron.

Ok I think I understand that, but what happens if your mould or punch that your machining is using 2 different diameter ball nose cutters that are blending together at some point on the surfaces.

Hi Guys, When your machining in 2d you can set MC to "wear" to allow for cutter wear and size, to get your parts just perfect--How do you do it when 3d surface machining I can see anything that allows for cutter size or wear..in any of these toolpaths. Please enlighten me.Thanks Jim.

Hi Jody, I did just that, and made a bracket that bolts under the spindle head to stop it from turning. Just don't do any tool changes. Thanks for your help. Jim.