Hey Everyone,
I need help picking out a new to me machine.
BAckround:
we have a mycenter 3x that has the counterbalance cylinder break(sheared both bolts off in the casting)
its a late 90's model and has been a very good machine running 50+ hours a week for 20 years.
90 percent of our work is titanium inconel and stainless(usually HT)
What i need:
3 axis VMC
min 40 taper
box ways
TSC would be a nice comeup
same size or bigger(30 x 20 x 20ish)
easy to fix/maintain/troubleshoot
i dont need probes or any of that fancy stuff
currently we have a mix of mycenters, okumas, mattsurras and robodrills
I am currently exploring a 2007 Mori DuraVertical 5100 with a MSC-504M Control.
we have a few mori lathes so i have worked with a MSC control before
thoughts?
Apologies for the three page essay.
Isn't the DuraVertical 5100 a linear (rolling element) slide type machine -(slides and trucks) - , [Have to dig up really old literature on an old 'puter.].
The
NVX being box way machine, and 2nd generation NVX being hybrid box(ed) ways and linear slides and trucks [(on Z axis ) I believe.
-
mycenter 3x Kitamura - integral box ways to the castings but cuts really straight.
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@tay2daizzo8 looking for second hand machines rather than new ?
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It's odd how some builders "Treat" or employ box ways vs. slides + trucks. And on which axes (some MTB that go "Hybrid" have box ways on X and Y but trucks on Z, and other MTBS have boxed ways on Z with trucks and slides on an XY table ? ).
Makino on their ultra precise machines might use box ways, for example a V33i, or V56i (for vibration dampening / surface finish) BUT the spindles are typically for 30K rpm / 40K / 45K rpm type applications - ultra rigid, but lower torque higher rpm spindles for mold work and hardened materials. Not so much for serious MRR(s) in tough / difficult materials + parts like larger
Titanium structural components, or
nickel alloys (inconel ) vs.
hardened stainless. On some of these more ultra precise machines higher torque 20K rpm spindles are available but seems like an "Odd" mis-match. I.e. a V33i with 20K spindle options seem to be missing the point + mucho dollars burnt in the wrong direction.
OTOH for more generic production work Makino would have PS-105 (new) PS-65b (new), PS-95 2nd hand, and PS-65 2nd hand, powerful spindles but linear rolling element slides.
I "Think" that's why makino brought out the S56 (back in the day) - as a more all rounder 20K type spindle , bridge style machine so can do mold work in hardened materials but can also have a pretty good stab at
titaniums and nickel alloys + have the ability to have various coolant options i.e. you can cut WET or DRY, and they kinda extended that to Graphite machines that can also be re-tasked to cut aluminum (Thru-spindle coolant as option - if memory serves me right).
~ Wonder if Makino had an awareness of the Okuma Genos M-560 V and hence put a pallet changer on the front of the S56 and S33. (S 33 still available new -without pallet changer AFIK ?).
Makino has good support for second hand machines (dedicated team) but you have to subscribe and hand over $ / annual subscription (type of thing) i.e. it's not FREE.
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Begs the question on second hand machines with
integral box(ed) ways (
integral to the casting) that were beautifully hand scraped and polished to micron straightness (full travel) what happens with an older / second hand machine (older than ten years) that was in a aggressive environment ? Do the ways need to be re-scraped etc. by a technician / machine tear down. Won't be as good or anywhere near as good as factory original ?
So seems a linear rolling element slide machine wouldn't be such a bad choice for second hand; from a replacement / maintenance point of view but the machine's basic squareness and geometry can be more "Off" after a few bad crashes etc. But could be set straight (theoretically). (Some builders use wedge-locked rails.).
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Theoretically - box ways with hydrostatic-ish bearings can last almost indefinitely but if contaminants get in that could be an unfixable train wreck ~ makes me wonder about older Makino V33(s)+ V56(s). [box way - ultra precise .].
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Other builders like SHARP and Methods (custom to their spec from Taiwan) - lines have box way machines for more regular low end - high torque cutting that are more affordable. 
