Opinions wanted on Monarch VMC 45 with GE Fanuc 11 controls. Retrofit ?

Subject: Opinions wanted on Monarch VMC 45 with GE Fanuc 11 controls. Retrofit ?


Hi people.

I don't know if this is off topic or not. Let me know if it is.

We are interested in purchasing a small, used Vertical Machining Center for the mass production of a bunch of small parts. One of the more interesting machines we have seen is the Monarch VMC45. I'd be interested in hearing about a better make/model if someone knows of one. The other machine that interests us is a Myford Mycenter #1.

Does anyone in this group have personal experience with a VMC 45 ?

This will be our first CNC purchase. I am a pretty good manual machinist and I have a background with controls and computers, so I am not too frightened by CNC in general. However, I don't know anything about the GE Fanuc 11 CNC controller. What does it use for memory ? (1990 vintage). Does it have an RS232 port to upload programs to ?

If we needed to, could we ditch the GE control system and retrofit with Linux EMC ??? I don't think the X,Y,Z axes would be a problem, but this machine has a tool changer AND dual pallets.

I'd also appreciate some pointers on what to look for/watch out for with a used CNC machine.

Thanks.

Newbie CNC guy




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]