You experts have probably heard this question a 100 times so if you can even point me to an existing thread, I'd thank you a million times. My last post asking this question was 9 years ago (and I didn't buy at that time). I've seen the Novakon and Syil offerings from there but that's maybe old now. Any new help would be greatly appreciated.
My conservative needs:
1. Ready to use (not a build)
2. AXIS: 3-axis
3. CNC: Full CNC (as advance control as possible, e.g., even spindle speed control via software)
4. MATERIAL: Mostly aluminum but maybe sometimes mild steel (even at slower cutting speeds)
5. SPINDLE SPEED: ~ 10,000 or so (because I need to be able to use small end mills for micromachining)
6. MOTOR HP: Around 0.5HP.
7. WORK ENVELOP: Min. approx. X=7", Y=5", Z=4"
8. MACHINING ACCURACY: 0.001" or better
9.SIZE: Around 48"W x 36"D x 72"H so it might fit in my garage with other equipment
10. OPTIONS: Later possibility of adding automatic tool changer and 4th axis
11. ADDITIONAL PREFERENCES IF POSSIBLE:- BLDC motor
- Servo system (feedback) on XYZ motors
- Ball bearing where there's an option to keep low backlash
My background:
12. BUDGET: Initial (immediate) around $10,000 but could stretch it to $15K. With options later, could go to $20K
13. AGE: 59M
14. EDU/SKILLS: Electrical & software engineer, R&D experience in medical instruments design, with some mechanical fabrication experience (by hand, getting it done through shops, just learning Solidworks/3D modeling
15. PURPOSE OF THIS CNC MILL: Low usage prototyping work for testing new R&D ideas. At my age, it seems more economical (time and money wise) to invest in a hassle-free CNC mill (and maybe a similar lathe later if needed) where I can dump my 3D designs to automatic machines to get them fabbed rather than do a lot manually or get them repeatedly fabbed outside.
Thank you for reading .... (I'll try posting on other forums if I don't get responses here as I know your time is precious and you already answer so many questions.)
:wave: