I have been looking for a small footprint VMC or HMC that will fit my small budget.
I went and looked at an 1995 Advanced VMC 520 (big label on spindle/Z axis says Advanced VMC-520, but one plate says Model: VMC 500P, another plate says Model VMC-500S). Also known/sold as Mighty Comet, I think. Shop is moving and downsizing.
Mitsubishi control, 8000RPM, box ways, 16 station carousel ATC, BT40.
I jogged it under power and ran the spindle through various speeds up to max of 8000 RPM and it sounded good. All axes sounded good. Did tool changes.
CRT looked good, no burn in.
Shop said it’ll easily holder better than 0.0005”
He said that the only problem with it is that the X axis stopped referencing recently and that it’s probably a limit switch that needs cleaning up or fixing or replacing.
Asking price is close to being in my budget.
What would you pay for a 24 year old VMC with the X axis not referencing (but maybe easy fix)?
Informed opinions on Advanced (Mighty?) VMCs? Quality? Reliability?
What are the things I’m forgetting to ask or check?
What sort of headaches can I expect from an old VMC?
Anybody here have an old similar/same VMC this age and still holding good tolerances, making good parts?
How long can/will such a machine last?
I went and looked at an 1995 Advanced VMC 520 (big label on spindle/Z axis says Advanced VMC-520, but one plate says Model: VMC 500P, another plate says Model VMC-500S). Also known/sold as Mighty Comet, I think. Shop is moving and downsizing.
Mitsubishi control, 8000RPM, box ways, 16 station carousel ATC, BT40.
I jogged it under power and ran the spindle through various speeds up to max of 8000 RPM and it sounded good. All axes sounded good. Did tool changes.
CRT looked good, no burn in.
Shop said it’ll easily holder better than 0.0005”
He said that the only problem with it is that the X axis stopped referencing recently and that it’s probably a limit switch that needs cleaning up or fixing or replacing.
Asking price is close to being in my budget.
What would you pay for a 24 year old VMC with the X axis not referencing (but maybe easy fix)?
Informed opinions on Advanced (Mighty?) VMCs? Quality? Reliability?
What are the things I’m forgetting to ask or check?
What sort of headaches can I expect from an old VMC?
Anybody here have an old similar/same VMC this age and still holding good tolerances, making good parts?
How long can/will such a machine last?