I have been researching for a while now.
Thanks to the guys here, I think I know what I am getting myself into, but could certainly use another set of eyes on it
First VMC, making some pretty decent parts on a Acer/Anilam 2axis machine. Want an enclosure and tool changer(just like everyone told me when I bought the Acer) , but I’m still glad I went that route first.
I could have bought a new machine, but I know I’m going to crash it at least once ,so I rather learn on this. Plus it wont see full time use for another 2-4 years
Made an offer that was accepted.
Pending inspection I bought a 1993 Fadal VMC 20
Nice overall condition, way covers not dented, lots of original paint still on the bottom of the enclosure. New spindle drive(maybe a con, see below)
Ways looks great, all axis jog and tool changer works.
I think I am aware of its cons:
1) slow cutting feeds 140-200ipm max depending on where you read.
2) Rapids max out at 400ipm
3) it’s DC drives- brush maintenance, but supposedly more robust than the AC ones??
4) it’s a box way machine, the pictures the tech sent me show intact turcite, but it will be the first thing I check.
5) it has a newish spindle drive with an intermittent issue where it won’t ramp up to speed. The drive is a Baldor H2 VMC drive, I think they didn’t even come out until 2008 and stopped selling in 2014?
I was a control tech and electrician in another life, I’m gambling that I can trouble shoot the issue, it looks like worst case scenario is $2500 for a drive??? I’m guessing based on research here that it’s power or set-up related.
The point of the post:
1) some of the turcite is hard to get to for inspection , if the X axis is good, are the other axis generally ok? I looked at another machine and it was easy to see where the x axis had failed , but I didn’t look farther at the Y and Z on that machine.
This machine seems to have good bond on the X axis
2) the machine has CNC88HS with 166k extended memory and external high speed buss and graphics.
Looks like the cpu is -4, that’s one of the faster ones right? (Except the $5000 upgrade to -5??)
- what is graphics??
What can I expect for profiling/3D ?
I can live with the slow rapids and feeds if the finish is ok. Will the machine come to a screaming halt on 3D stuff? I had previously seen a video that seemed ok,but can’t find it.
I have a paid Fusion 360 subscription and am pretty good with it on my 2axis.
There seems to be a few good F360 posts floating around, anyone want to share a proven one?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Thanks to the guys here, I think I know what I am getting myself into, but could certainly use another set of eyes on it
First VMC, making some pretty decent parts on a Acer/Anilam 2axis machine. Want an enclosure and tool changer(just like everyone told me when I bought the Acer) , but I’m still glad I went that route first.
I could have bought a new machine, but I know I’m going to crash it at least once ,so I rather learn on this. Plus it wont see full time use for another 2-4 years
Made an offer that was accepted.
Pending inspection I bought a 1993 Fadal VMC 20
Nice overall condition, way covers not dented, lots of original paint still on the bottom of the enclosure. New spindle drive(maybe a con, see below)
Ways looks great, all axis jog and tool changer works.
I think I am aware of its cons:
1) slow cutting feeds 140-200ipm max depending on where you read.
2) Rapids max out at 400ipm
3) it’s DC drives- brush maintenance, but supposedly more robust than the AC ones??
4) it’s a box way machine, the pictures the tech sent me show intact turcite, but it will be the first thing I check.
5) it has a newish spindle drive with an intermittent issue where it won’t ramp up to speed. The drive is a Baldor H2 VMC drive, I think they didn’t even come out until 2008 and stopped selling in 2014?
I was a control tech and electrician in another life, I’m gambling that I can trouble shoot the issue, it looks like worst case scenario is $2500 for a drive??? I’m guessing based on research here that it’s power or set-up related.
The point of the post:
1) some of the turcite is hard to get to for inspection , if the X axis is good, are the other axis generally ok? I looked at another machine and it was easy to see where the x axis had failed , but I didn’t look farther at the Y and Z on that machine.
This machine seems to have good bond on the X axis
2) the machine has CNC88HS with 166k extended memory and external high speed buss and graphics.
Looks like the cpu is -4, that’s one of the faster ones right? (Except the $5000 upgrade to -5??)
- what is graphics??
What can I expect for profiling/3D ?
I can live with the slow rapids and feeds if the finish is ok. Will the machine come to a screaming halt on 3D stuff? I had previously seen a video that seemed ok,but can’t find it.
I have a paid Fusion 360 subscription and am pretty good with it on my 2axis.
There seems to be a few good F360 posts floating around, anyone want to share a proven one?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro