[nardjus]

First, I want to thank everyone on this forum for making such a great resource and online community. I have learned so much in the recent time I have been reading this site.

I work for a company that builds models and prototypes and recently convinced them to purchase a cnc machine as we were doing a lot of out sourcing. Being familiar with Techno ( the school I work at has an LC4896) and doing alot of research I ended up with a techno LC series. Without getting into all of the specifics, it's essentially a LC 48x48 with the upgraded servos and an HSD spindle.

I am having some issues with the initial setup of the machine, and I really don't know if I am being picky or the machine just needs to be set up better. If I zero the z axis at x and y 0 and then traverse the x axis to the other end( X+ 48") there is a gap between the end mill and the table of about .05". Also, if I mill a rectangle that is 24" x 48", the diagonal dimensions are off by about the same( close to a 1/16"). Now, I know this isn't a Mori Seiki or anything, but that seems beyond normal for a brand new machine. The installer is coming shortly to recalibrate it, but I would like to know what my expectations should be for a machine like this. The installer said the solution for the x axis not being square to the table is to mill the phenolic top ( for the vacuum table hold down) so that it becomes level to the x axis. This seems like a half assed approach to make up almost a 1/16" gap on a brand new machine, but again, I don't know what I should expect for accuracy for a machine like this. Any help would be appreciated.

[Pplug]

That sounds fairly normal. I have bolted a sacrificial board on top my 4896 that I then run a surfacing pas over to level the table. Just make sure the table is level before you install a board just to make sure the table is not skewed in any way. For my spoil board, I use 3/4" mdf that you could buy at home depot or lowes for about $25. A spoil board saves the special pads from getting chewed up and will also help in mounting fixtures to your table.