I have been recently looking more into cnc machines as my cash situation has been improving.
I was always thinking that a bigger machine running smaller parts would offset any weaknesses that a smaller machine may have. Example - 5c collet system on an A2-5 spindle (lathe) keeping diameters to 1.00" or under to make sure the machine has enough power to do its job.
Now I am looking into mills and 4th axis stuff instead of looking at live tooled lathes. With a 4th axis setup I could essentially run parts that a live tooled lathe would do but still have the ability to mill other parts that a live tooled lathe cannot do. I could even get a 5th axis unit and do 3+2 setups quickly.
My question is more related to the Haas DT machines. I have seen videos of them milling somewhat impressively. Looks like more high speed machining techniques but seemed to not have problems.
So the more I look into these machines the more I like them for my current situation. I am sure they will have their limitations too. I hear great things about the Brother Speedio line and have been told it has little power milling anything hard or anything with heavy cuts (understandable), but they do say great things about aluminum and steels and no one can touch the speeds they have.
Share your thoughts on the good/bad/ugly about the BT-30 spindles. I dont know if one would be a good investment for me or not. Any cnc milling will allow me to take on additional work that would bring in additional cash to the company. A 2 axis cnc lathe will not really bring in too much additional work but will make my current workload easier to handle.
I was always thinking that a bigger machine running smaller parts would offset any weaknesses that a smaller machine may have. Example - 5c collet system on an A2-5 spindle (lathe) keeping diameters to 1.00" or under to make sure the machine has enough power to do its job.
Now I am looking into mills and 4th axis stuff instead of looking at live tooled lathes. With a 4th axis setup I could essentially run parts that a live tooled lathe would do but still have the ability to mill other parts that a live tooled lathe cannot do. I could even get a 5th axis unit and do 3+2 setups quickly.
My question is more related to the Haas DT machines. I have seen videos of them milling somewhat impressively. Looks like more high speed machining techniques but seemed to not have problems.
So the more I look into these machines the more I like them for my current situation. I am sure they will have their limitations too. I hear great things about the Brother Speedio line and have been told it has little power milling anything hard or anything with heavy cuts (understandable), but they do say great things about aluminum and steels and no one can touch the speeds they have.
Share your thoughts on the good/bad/ugly about the BT-30 spindles. I dont know if one would be a good investment for me or not. Any cnc milling will allow me to take on additional work that would bring in additional cash to the company. A 2 axis cnc lathe will not really bring in too much additional work but will make my current workload easier to handle.