Re: Mill recommendations needed for new CNC Project

Assuming the manhours to put it all together and make it work are
valued at commercial rates then a ready out of the box mill like a
Tormach at USD6,800 might make more sense.

Phil

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "mayfieldtm" <mayfieldt@...>
wrote:

>
> I'll be approaching my Boss on the possibility of putting together

a

> small CNC Milling Station.
> Our need is quite specialized and it might be better suited if we
> build our own. I know a ready made commercial machine will be out

of

> the question. All of our in-house CNC Machines are tied up in
> Production or tool making.
>
> So I'm asking you-all on your recommendations on a good new starter
> Mill that could be converted. Would like to keep the Mill price

around

> and under $2500 (new). I'm figuring another $1500 for other parts.
>
> For my Home Shop, I converted a Grizzly (of the rong-fu type

design).

> Although it's perfect for my hobby use, It would just not be tight

or

> beefy enough for our application. And of course, you-all know about
> the round column problems.
>
> We often design Forming Dies (two dimension) for various types and
> thicknesses of spring steels.
> The results of bending a part, often, is not quite as expected
> (calculated) and will fall out of tolerance, so the Die needs to be
> reworked or remade. The second try is usually successful.
> Most of our Dies are EDM'ed by an outside source, and can be

expensive

> and most importantly, time consuming.
> I believe I can justify the concept of a small in-house CNC for

this

> purpose only. I would not expect nor want the Machine to be used in
> Production.
>
> My Maximum Milling Envelope would be: X=6" Y=3" Z=1".
> The Typical size of a Die is 3"w x 1.5"h x 0.25"thk. with a profile
> along the 3" dimension.
> Most of the time I would be using an 1/8" Mill in 0.125 - 0.25"

thick

> material. Typically "O1" or "D2" tool steel. (Annealed of course)
> Probably use Servo Motors, speed is of no importance, so Step

Motors

> might be OK.
> Dual Nut Ball screws mounted on Annular Bearings for Minimal

Backlash.

> Will be using Gecko Drives, a Brute Force Power Supply, Computer
> Interface and a Computer running Mach3.
> I found that the most difficult part of converting the grizzly was

the

> Z-axis, so the basic machine should be well suited for that.
> The converted machine will be CNC only with no manual operation.
>
> What did I forget?
>
> Thanks in advance for suggestions, support and???
>
> Tom M.
>