Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Opinions wanted on Monarch VMC 45 with GE Fanuc 11 controls. Retrofit ?

krlux wrote:

> I should add that the parts are presently being run by a 3rd party on a CNC
> even bigger than the VMC45 ! It seems that all the used CNC VMCs are big,
> like nobody ever buys the smaller ones or maybe they never sell them. The
> VMC 45 does seem like overkill for that job, but with a 6,000 RPM spindle I
> think it isn't too bad.

No, there are smaller machines. The reason you see the big ones is that
shop floor space is at a premium, and large, unneeded machines are sent
out, while a smaller machine will be kept as long as it works. there may be
something to the pattern that a small machine may be junked when worn
out, while a big machine may go to a rebuilder. The really HUGE machines
are VERY hard to get, and truly ancient G&L and Cincinnatti HBMs and such
just keep getting rebuilt and reinstalled.

> If someone has an affordable better solution, I am all ears. I've had
> several people tell me to buy a small "hobby toy" CNC mill without a
> toolchanger and use that. I used to own a small "hobby" CNC lathe. I
> didn't find it anything more than a toy compared to our 14x40 lathe.

For heavy production use, multi-part fixtures or pallets are the way to
go. the operator can be loading/unloading stock into the pallets off
the machine.

Jon