The guy we bought the vcu from was selling the mazak to get a haas umc 750 5 axis. I was surprised about that at the time.
I'm not sure if the floating leg problem of the VCU -400 5ax and 500 5ax had been resolved then, later on they made a much more substantial casting for the far end bearing of the trunnion.
It's a Kentucky "Home grown" machine made from MAZAK parts.
Some of the Mazak machines (as you know) normally have the trunnion go side to side and have a very deep and long Y axis travel so that 90 degree tilt works as one would like it.* Even the trunnions in the Y orientations (larger Variaxis) have long Y travels with the overhead (modified) gantry arrangement... BUT can have a short
x-travel , so the part needs to be swung into the narrower machining volume/ work envelope.
I saw VCU 500 5ax at the West Coast Mazak open house (couple of years ago) and as you indicate good job with large impellers.
Sorry I'm originally from the UK so my geography gets a bit wonky from time to time so YES what you are saying for things substantially "East" of the Rocky Mountain Region. Western Region seems better but still similar kind of issues can happen.
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YouTube
^^^ Shows Mazak UK's CV5-500 … So that would get around a lot of the physical problems of the VCU 500 5ax, be more rigid and more accurate. (smaller footprint).
Not sure if it's possible to import these without Kentucky or Japan fixing to break one's legs. + provide actual tech support for an "Entry" level machine with an entry level price. + close the gaps on CAD/CAM side / posts and other gaps that you are describing here
@Green0.
(There seems to be a hole or gap that someone could fill if they can do the leg work/initiative.).
MAZAK UK and MAZAK Singapore make several machines that are not offered in the USA.
I think the HAAS UMC 500 has thrown the Cat amongst the pigeons … in terms of price performance /$, and to grab that repeat business.
SolidCam have a good relationship with MAZAK in Europe also. Much more plug and play and willing to close gaps more directly as an opportunity rather than going "Meh" / "Too bad" or "Yessss, but it's gonna cost you" .