Hey everyone, my shop is currently looking at possibly purchasing our first horizontal machining center. We have some verticals now but we’re getting into jobs that require multiple set ups and we’re thinking a hmc could really help with cycle time and save on setups.
I know there are a ton of brands out there and I know a lot of people are going to say something like “get a machine that has great local service” or “the right machine really depends on what mat’l your cutting”. There is a local dealer who does most service and I mostly cut steel like 1020, 4140, 4340 with the occasional 40+ Rockwell thrown in.
We’re looking at all the big brands with 400 or 500 mm pallets Okuma, makino, doosan, dmg-mori. As well as some “lesser known” brands like kitamura, okk, kiwa,toyoda and even grob.
My main question is does anyone have much experience with Kitamura? They are box way machines with rapids just as fast as most linear guides and claim tolerances about as good as a jig bore all with a 12000 rpm geared head(cat 50) or a 20,000 rpm geared head (cat 40) both are big plus…… almost seems to good to be true…. The thing is that I don’t know anyone that has one, most guys I know with hmc’s have makinos, okumas, Mori, or doosans… there is a part of me that wonders why more people don’t have these when the pricing is equal or less then the high end brands like makino or okuma.
If you have any experience with any of the other machines and would like to share that would also be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
I know there are a ton of brands out there and I know a lot of people are going to say something like “get a machine that has great local service” or “the right machine really depends on what mat’l your cutting”. There is a local dealer who does most service and I mostly cut steel like 1020, 4140, 4340 with the occasional 40+ Rockwell thrown in.
We’re looking at all the big brands with 400 or 500 mm pallets Okuma, makino, doosan, dmg-mori. As well as some “lesser known” brands like kitamura, okk, kiwa,toyoda and even grob.
My main question is does anyone have much experience with Kitamura? They are box way machines with rapids just as fast as most linear guides and claim tolerances about as good as a jig bore all with a 12000 rpm geared head(cat 50) or a 20,000 rpm geared head (cat 40) both are big plus…… almost seems to good to be true…. The thing is that I don’t know anyone that has one, most guys I know with hmc’s have makinos, okumas, Mori, or doosans… there is a part of me that wonders why more people don’t have these when the pricing is equal or less then the high end brands like makino or okuma.
If you have any experience with any of the other machines and would like to share that would also be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!