[gizmo_454]

Well, I surely like the sounds of a SMTC on a SMM sized machine!!

Geof, I have a technical question for you. I have been going over the stats on the Mini and the Super Mini. The extra RPM is a big bonus, I know. My concern is that the Mini weighs in at 33 ft-lb@1200 RPM and the Super weighs in at 17 ft-lbs@4600 RPM. Since you have both, I thought I would ask you. Even though the Super has 2 times the HP have you noticed anything you can run at the lower end of the rpm range on the Mini that you cannot on the Super?

I only ask because I tend to run a wide variety of materials through our Mini and in doing so, tend to use the entire RPM range from tapping 1/2-13 holes in steel to 1/32 end mills in brass. I guess what I am saying is, it would be nice to have the higher rpm range. But am I not going to be able to run a 1/2 inch tap in steel anymore to gain the higher rpm? BTW, I do realize that I could threadmill that, but I'm sure I don't have to tell you about engineers and their wonderful abilities at wanting thread engagements of 4X+.

To the other person who mentioned getting a top for the Mini, I just wonder why? I have been running ours for the last 2 years, using the high volume coolant pump, and haven't had any problems with over-spray out the top. Lots of evaporation for sure, but nobody getting doused with chips or coolant.

Gizmo

[Geof]

....Geof, I have a technical question for you. I have been going over the stats on the Mini and the Super Mini. The extra RPM is a big bonus, I know. My concern is that the Mini weighs in at 33 ft-lb@1200 RPM and the Super weighs in at 17 ft-lbs@4600 RPM. Since you have both, I thought I would ask you. Even though the Super has 2 times the HP have you noticed anything you can run at the lower end of the rpm range on the Mini that you cannot on the Super?.....Gizmo

That is a good question................................and all the dots mean I don't have an answer.

I have to be honest, I never looked up the torque specifications so I have never been motivated to do any experimenting.

Most of the time we are machining 6061 and I do know that if I take a program that has a cut at 10000rpm and 100ipm on the Super, if I move it to the Mini it will not handle the same cut at 6000rpm and 60ipm; it is necessary to drop the feed to something like 40ipm or so.

But I have never looked at the lower end performance.

Regarding tapping I have run 1/2"-13 on the Super at 1000rpm but I peck tap in 0.15" steps so maybe I am cheating. But it does it fine in C12L14 or C1018. I mentioned someplace that I have only bogged it down trying to tap 3/8" NPT. The spindle and the feed both stopped and I hit E stop before it alarmed.

[duenow]

"To the other person who mentioned getting a top for the Mini, I just wonder why? I have been running ours for the last 2 years, using the high volume coolant pump, and haven't had any problems with over-spray out the top. Lots of evaporation for sure, but nobody getting doused with chips or coolant."

I made my top out of 1/4" plastic stock used the bolt holes for the Haas top. Cost about $25.00 & about an hour.

[katiebo]

Regarding tapping I have run 1/2"-13 on the Super at 1000rpm but I peck tap in 0.15" steps so maybe I am cheating.

Please excuse my ignorance but how do you do this? Does it require the spindle orientation option?

[Geof]

Please excuse my ignorance but how do you do this? Does it require the spindle orientation option?

You need Rigid Tapping and I think this comes standard with the Super.

This very accurately synchronises the spindle rotation and the Z position so you do not use floating tap holders and the machine can re-enter the thread.

[katiebo]

Thanks Geof. I kind of assumed that the rigid tapping option was needed but for whatever reason also thought that the spindle orientation option was also needed.

[DSL PWR]

You need Rigid Tapping and I think this comes standard with the Super.

This very accurately synchronises the spindle rotation and the Z position so you do not use floating tap holders and the machine can re-enter the thread.

You can only peck tap if the REP Rigid tap is turned on...

One more thing I learned the hard way.

[Geof]

You can only peck tap if the REP Rigid tap is turned on...

One more thing I learned the hard way.

You can Peck, but you sure don't tap. That one I found the hard way also.