Brother Naming Convention

[Minimal.ltd]

Hi, this is a basic question and I have tried to find this information online but have not had much success. I am trying to understand the different models of pre-Speedio Brother tapping centers. I am looking to getting a VMC and I am leaning towards an older Brother. I was looking at something like a TC-S2A or B (or newer depending on budget). I understand that the machines with "R" in their name seem to have pallet changers and the ones that end in "-0" have 700mm X travel. Beyond that, I am confused by the triple digit machines as well as some of the other options.
Thanks

 

[BROTHERFRANK]

In my opinion, I wouldn't consider machines older than about 1999. These machines will be TC (Tapping Center) with a letter (A, B, C, D) in the name. Comparable layout to a S500 will be TC-S2A, S2B, S2C and S2D. Pallet machines will be R2A, R2B, 32A and 32B. Less common will be the 22A and 22B machines which are conventional layout with more tools and twin arm tool changer. Big difference will be controls. A00 on S2A, S2B, R2A, 32A and 22A. B00 (big step up) on S2C, S2D, R2B, 32B and 22B. Speedios have C00. Older machines will be TC-229, 228, 227, 324, 323 which I don't recommend due to possible parts availability issues and lower performance spindles and controls. These older machines may have conversational only controls too which for me is like a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. To each their own though...

 

[2outof3]

I am down to recommending only TC-S2D, TC-S2D-O. Let everything else find piece as happy repurposed scrap.

 

[Minimal.ltd]

This is very helpful. I found that some of the pricing on the S2D machines gets close to buying a new speedio which I may consider. My work is more along the lines of a prototyping shop and I would not be overly reliant on the machine on a daily basis but I don't want to veer too far into project/money pit territory. I will see what's out there.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[Minimal.ltd]

Hi, I have another related question. I have read a number of discussions related to this but thought I would try to get a clearer understanding. For someone who does not need a production machine and whose core business is not based on having a vmc, would a clean A00 machine plus drip feed for say $20k be substantially worse than a $40-50k B00 machine? This is assuming that the machines that were not trashed, maybe need a little maintenance. I know this is a hard question to answer without knowing the details of my work. I don't mind having a machine that is a bit slower but I do not want to end up with a "2.5D" machine as some people have described. I do want the ability to do some complex 3D surfacing and HSM toolpaths. I would build up my bt30 tooling,workholding etc and then possibly upgrade to a later TC or Speedio in the future. At the same time, I don't want to he held back substantially if I were to buy a decent S2A/S2B
Related to that, would $25k likely go further buying a used Robodrill rather than a used Brother? I know there are a lot of variables there but generally speaking.
Thanks.

 

[GiroDyno]

I don't know about the S2As but I got a hammered S2B-O and added the Cal-motion USB widget. Ran that for several years doing long 3D surfacing programs without issue* and that machine is running parts for somebody else just up the road now. I see them pop up on eBay and craigslist frequently for around $20K.

*Scratch that, there was an glitch where it would never load the program the first try but hitting cancel and load on the Cal-motion box again always worked.

 

[BROTHERFRANK]

S2A can get the job done. S2B was quite a jump up from the S2A. S2B was heavier, faster, larger ball screws, more horsepower. To have drip feeding standard I believe the machine needs to be around 2003 or newer. S2B will all have it. An older S2A might have drip feed (tape run mode in Brother speak) if the control was ever upgraded. You will have to look in the User Parameters, Switch 1. If it has Tape run mode, one of the first parameter choices with be internal memory or tape run mode.