HAAS MDC-500, anyone has one?

We're running out of capacity in our two HAAS VMCs (One VF2-SS and one SuperMiniMill)
Thinking about stepping it up a bit with something equipped with pallet changer.
Since we don't run really large quantities of anything (100-500 pcs) a HMC seems a bit overkill, both in initiall investment and setup times with tombstones etc..

The MDC-500 looks good, but is it any good? Table size is good for us, two 150mm vises on each pallet would handle 90% of the current work we have for it.
We would like it to be at least as stable as the VF2-SS.

HAAS doesn't have that much information about it on their site, and I haven't found any videos of any actual machining on Youtube.

Any input from anyone with experience of the MDC-500 would be appreciated.

Haas MDC-500 Customer

Paws Workholding uses an MDC-500:
PAWS Photo Gallery

dallack said:

Since we don't run really large quantities of anything (100-500 pcs) a HMC seems a bit overkill, both in initiall investment and setup times with tombstones etc.

Click to expand...

Do these 100-500 jobs repeat?

If so, an HMC can still payoff. With the fourth axis you can eliminate 2nd and 3rd ops needed on a VMC and you can be setting up one job while another one is running.

End result, your loaded hourly cost for the machine is higher but it can be pumping out a lot more parts per hour and with less rejects from re-fixturing the parts for multiple operations. Plus the HMC will have a higher metal removal rate.

Its not an easy call because of the higher cost for an HMC but it might pay for you.

Good luck-

Paul T.
Power Technology

We've made some progress since my first post.
We went to a shop that has a 2 year old MDC-500 they're probably going to sell.
We watched the machine running, and it looked ok, but they where only machining Aluminum, so stability in steel is still a question.

It was equipped with probing system, and Chick subplates. Also an extra wash down pump was installed by the shop themselves.

Price seemed reasonable, now it's up to them to decide if it's really for sale.

I would stay away from them. Crap way covers and dont handle chips. Get a horizontal if you have production. Unless you only drill and tap holes, you might be ok then.

Now the used MDC-500 is ordered, delivery in august when we have moved the shop to a larger place, no room for it at the present.

Regarding chiphandling, this machine has been equipped with a large capacity washdown pump. with nozzles all around the inside of the machine. This took care of the chips at least for the current owner.