http://www.nnseek.com/e/alt.mcahines.cnc/ Posts for alt.mcahines.cnc Tue, 19 Dec 2006 19:20:06 PST http://www.nnseek.com/ http://www.nnseek.com/img/64.png 64 64 NNSeek http://www.nnseek.com/e/alt.mcahines.cnc/if_you_could_buy_a_new_mill_12359991t.html http://www.nnseek.com/e/alt.mcahines.cnc/if_you_could_buy_a_new_mill_12359991t.html NOSPAMkirkland.net> wrote:

>Background: My brother works at a large university in Los Angeles where he
>teaches, does research, and herds around grad students. His lab is an amazing
>place. He called me today and said they have decided they need a milling
>machine. I recommended he go talk to Leigh Knudsen down in Costa Mesa, as I know
>Leigh is a pro, honest, and a great guy to boot. Plus, he puts up with Gunner so
>I know he has to have a soft streak. :-)
>
>I suggested he look for a vertical knee mill with R8 spindle, DRO, powerfeed(s)
>and one-shot oiler. We talked for awhile and then stopped. Afterwards it
>occurred to me that he probably can get budget for something I would never even
>dream of, a BRAND NEW MACHINE. What a concept.
>
>However, given my history I don't know what to suggest. I'm not sure if he can
>get approval for something like an actual name-brand Bridgeport.
>
>What do you guys think?
>
>Grant Erwin
>Kirkland, Washington
===================
It all depends on what they are going to do with it, but serious
consideration should be given to a CNC machining center.

In many cases the necessary attachments/accessories to enable a
manual machine to perform the desired tasks brings the cost near
a cnc machine, and when you add in other items such as a 3 axis
DRO, the cost is even closer.

When total life cycle costs are considered, such as broken tools
and ruined parts, the cost to lay-out and precision machine, etc.
the costs for a suitable cnc may even be lower. This is
particularly true if the same part such as some sort of specimen
mount, need to be frequently duplicated, possibly with detail
modifications.

Most likely a full blown 4 or 5 axis machine, with probes and
automatic tool changer will not be needed/justified as you will
not be attempting 24/7 lights-out operation. However, depending
on what the lab is doing a indexer may be very useful.

take a look at
http://www.tormach.com/Product_PCNC_main.html?gclid=COfakaaKoIkCFRE8gQodixIuNg

I am sure there are others.

Because of the expertese available, I am cross posting to
alt.machines.cnc.



Unka' George [George McDuffee]
...............................
On Theory: Delight at having understood
a very abstract and obscure system
leads most people to believe
in the truth of what it demonstrates.

G. C. Lichtenberg (1742-99),
German physicist, philosopher.
Aphorisms "Notebook J," aph. 77
(written 1765-99; tr. by R. J. Hollingdale, 1990).

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