CNC mills with 40" travel, styles- Deckel FP6NC vs Deckel FP42NC vs console vs other?
NOTE: I used a word "console" in the subject and later learned it's not really a proper name, it's just a bad translation that's often used on auction sites etc. What I meant was a bed-type milling machine. I updated the post to use the proper naming, but I can't update the subject
Hi,
I need a CNC machine that will be able to machine parts up to about 40" (not very wide, though), probably mostly in cast iron. Flattening, drilling, tapping. I don't need exceptional accuracy, I think up to 10 thou of flatness over entire travel and +/- 1.5 thou hole spacing accuracy. I guess the latter might be harder, but I think replacing a worn screw might be easier than scraping the ways.
Anyways, I currently live in Germany and there's quite a lot of old CNC machines that would fit the sizing spec, but I have no idea if any of them would have advantages. Four categories that I often see:
- "eurostyle" mill, but very big, like Deckel FP6NC, Maho 1000C or Klopp UW5 CNC. So like an oversized toolroom mill. When I look at them I'm wondering if the table has enough support
- A very original and interesting design of Deckel FP42NC, ie. a stationary table and a traveling milling machine. I guess the biggest advantage of these mills is that the weight of the job doesn't really matter much
- A more conventional style of a universal milling machine or a knee-type milling machine
- A bed-type milling machine
I'm pretty sure that any of these types will do the job, because it's nothing special. I also don't mind older Heidenhein controls, I don't expect any complicated parts. Of course having the capability to do more would be nice, but those old style of CNC controllers are obviously driving the price down, so I don't really want to spend extra money at the moment.
Is there anything I should know about these (or other) styles? Are there any big trade offs between them? The only thing I could come up with just by looking at them is that eurostyle machines seem like the table is oversized and at this size it should just be a knee-type or a bed-type milling machine. That said I think that it's easier to find a Deckel/Maho/Klopp eurostyle CNC machines than bed-type milling machines or knee-type milling machines.
NOTE: I used a word "console" in the subject and later learned it's not really a proper name, it's just a bad translation that's often used on auction sites etc. What I meant was a bed-type milling machine. I updated the post to use the proper naming, but I can't update the subject
Hi,
I need a CNC machine that will be able to machine parts up to about 40" (not very wide, though), probably mostly in cast iron. Flattening, drilling, tapping. I don't need exceptional accuracy, I think up to 10 thou of flatness over entire travel and +/- 1.5 thou hole spacing accuracy. I guess the latter might be harder, but I think replacing a worn screw might be easier than scraping the ways.
Anyways, I currently live in Germany and there's quite a lot of old CNC machines that would fit the sizing spec, but I have no idea if any of them would have advantages. Four categories that I often see:
- "eurostyle" mill, but very big, like Deckel FP6NC, Maho 1000C or Klopp UW5 CNC. So like an oversized toolroom mill. When I look at them I'm wondering if the table has enough support
- A very original and interesting design of Deckel FP42NC, ie. a stationary table and a traveling milling machine. I guess the biggest advantage of these mills is that the weight of the job doesn't really matter much
- A more conventional style of a universal milling machine or a knee-type milling machine
- A bed-type milling machine
I'm pretty sure that any of these types will do the job, because it's nothing special. I also don't mind older Heidenhein controls, I don't expect any complicated parts. Of course having the capability to do more would be nice, but those old style of CNC controllers are obviously driving the price down, so I don't really want to spend extra money at the moment.
Is there anything I should know about these (or other) styles? Are there any big trade offs between them? The only thing I could come up with just by looking at them is that eurostyle machines seem like the table is oversized and at this size it should just be a knee-type or a bed-type milling machine. That said I think that it's easier to find a Deckel/Maho/Klopp eurostyle CNC machines than bed-type milling machines or knee-type milling machines.
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