Just had to post a few videos of my new Automate CNC mill

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07-17-2019, 04:56 AM
wwendorf

Just had to post a few videos of my new Automate CNC mill

I know this is mostly a Smithy forum, but since Detroit Machine Tools is the parent company for Smithy and Automate, I hope it will be OK.

https://youtu.be/4HncSFHa4zQ

https://youtu.be/Olk8NiTIqa0

Really happy with the new mill so far. Definitely exceeding my expectations!

Wade
07-20-2019, 02:33 AM
Steve303

Re: Just had to post a few videos of my new Automate CNC mill

Looks like a really nice set up. I'd like to hear how it compares the the Tormach mills. Please report back after a few months use and let us all know. Is the Siemens control a step up from PathPilot?

Steve
07-20-2019, 05:21 AM
wwendorf

Re: Just had to post a few videos of my new Automate CNC mill

I can't talk bad about Tormach's. I have 2 of them and they have served me well. I've been running production with my 770 for a long time, and just added the 440 this January. It's been a great little machine as well.

That being said, speed and power wise there is no comparison. The automate eats thru metal a lot faster that I think a Tormach ever could. I just did some cuts where I chewed thru a 3/4" deep cut in one pass with a 0.075 woc with a 3/8" endmill at 90 ipm and I only hit 50% on the load meter, meaning I can probably push it even more.

It's bigger for sure, about 4900 lbs, all servo and 5hp spindle as well. So far I am very happy with it and it's abilities. It's hard to watch the tormachs while the automate is running as there is such a difference in speed of everything.

The siemens control isn't bad. Different and far more fussy and a little more vague, but it functions well.

Wade
07-20-2019, 01:57 PM
AirChunk

Re: Just had to post a few videos of my new Automate CNC mill

Awesome ! Looks very nice!
07-20-2019, 05:01 PM
Steve303

Re: Just had to post a few videos of my new Automate CNC mill

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwendorf

I can't talk bad about Tormach's. I have 2 of them and they have served me well. I've been running production with my 770 for a long time, and just added the 440 this January. It's been a great little machine as well.

That being said, speed and power wise there is no comparison. The automate eats thru metal a lot faster that I think a Tormach ever could. I just did some cuts where I chewed thru a 3/4" deep cut in one pass with a 0.075 woc with a 3/8" endmill at 90 ipm and I only hit 50% on the load meter, meaning I can probably push it even more.

It's bigger for sure, about 4900 lbs, all servo and 5hp spindle as well. So far I am very happy with it and it's abilities. It's hard to watch the tormachs while the automate is running as there is such a difference in speed of everything.

The siemens control isn't bad. Different and far more fussy and a little more vague, but it functions well.

Wade

Thanks for the rely. I hope to add a second mill in the coming months and was thinking 1100MX looks like the 550 Pro could be a mill to put on the list to research further.

Steve
01-17-2020, 07:07 PM
n1tr0

Re: Just had to post a few videos of my new Automate CNC mill

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwendorf

The siemens control isn't bad. Different and far more fussy and a little more vague, but it functions well.

Wade

Can you elaborate on fussy? This has definitely made my short list after getting a really good quote from Automate, including upgrading the spindle and switching to the Siemens 808D Advanced.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve303

Thanks for the rely. I hope to add a second mill in the coming months and was thinking 1100MX looks like the 550 Pro could be a mill to put on the list to research further.

Steve

Did you make a decision on a machine? I had been planning on doing the 1100MX as well, but by the time I had everything added to my cart, the price was enough to get me looking for other options.

Thanks
Kris
01-18-2020, 11:03 PM
Steve303

Re: Just had to post a few videos of my new Automate CNC mill

Quote:

Originally Posted by n1tr0

Can you elaborate on fussy? This has definitely made my short list after getting a really good quote from Automate, including upgrading the spindle and switching to the Siemens 808D Advanced.

Did you make a decision on a machine? I had been planning on doing the 1100MX as well, but by the time I had everything added to my cart, the price was enough to get me looking for other options.

Thanks
Kris

I am holding off till the spring to make a final decision. Novakon is also coming out with a mill using the Siemens 808D control. I was hoping it would be out late 2019. The Automate 550 is still on my short list.

Steve
01-19-2020, 02:26 AM
ihavenofish

Re: Just had to post a few videos of my new Automate CNC mill

Siemens has a bunch of 808 tutorials on youtube so you can get a good idea of how it works. most industrial controls will feel quite a lot different from the hobby pc controls.

Siemens had at one point a software training emulator for the 808 as well, I don't know if that was free or you had to buy it.