Fadec UMC10 CNC Milling Center | eBay
The computer monitor and z travel of only 8.5 inches helps put its size into perspective. Just thought others might like a look at what I saw on eBay.
Fadec UMC10 CNC Milling Center | eBay
The computer monitor and z travel of only 8.5 inches helps put its size into perspective. Just thought others might like a look at what I saw on eBay.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISzkthutKnA]Scratch Built mini version of Fadal's VMC 15 - YouTube[/ame]
Video putting its capabilities into perspective. I sucked air (mentally) when I saw the fly cutter =)
Bought a 4020 almost 10 years ago... Great machine!
It'll be interesting to see if these take off.
It looks like a great mill, but for perspective a haas tm-1 is 29K:
Haas TM-1 | Haas Automation, Inc. | CNC Machine Tools
Pound for pound, the Haas is a better deal, but it's also a much bigger machine, and the 40 taper means more expensive tooling, and Haas is an all extras are extras company.
Given the size and capability, the Fadal offspring isn't a bad idea.. even if the tool change will put you to sleep.
Thanks for the post, unfortunately it is out of my personal price range. I worry a bit about that Z travel but I'm not sure how that is measured.
If Dave could get a bit more exposure I'm certain he could sell more than a few of these machines. It is a nice little machine that could serve small job shops well.
Here is a machine with a similar price but with a BT30 spindle and 220 3-phase power.
Bolton Tools 3 Axis CNC Milling Machine Mill Drill with 10 Position Tool Changer | eBay
I personally think there's a market for really small machines, in terms of footprint, weight and power requirements.
My main evidence for that thought is that personally I am limited on all 3 fronts and yet I still have a concrete use for a small CNC mill.
If I could get a machine with a work area of 12x6x3 that was sturdy, had an ATC and could cut steel all day I would do it. Then I would spend my weekends and evenings CNC machining custom knives and probably pay for the machine in less than a year.
Something like the UMC10 is definitely more likely to find it's way into my shop than a full-size VMC, or even the other 'mini' VMCs!
Gough Custom - http://goughcustom.com/
If there was an abundance of such machines and they were as cheap as we would all like them to be, then "everyone" would be making knives and you might have a hard time paying for the machine anyway
How the hell do you use a ATC with R8 collets. And the spindle has drive dogs. Somthin fishy there. Other than that, not a bad deal. Hass tm1 is over 30k with a toolchanger now. He made fadal work, so don't see why it won't take off.
IMO Spindle taper is the number one area of stupidity in ALL the small CNC (Fadec, Tormach, Novakon, Syil, ETC).
To use a VMC as a money maker you need to be able to install preset length tools at very minimum and should be viable for an ATC.
R8 is absolutely NOT suirable (Dont start a "what about the TTS system" argument here - this is crap in the real world).
There is no reason why all this machines couldnt come with a BT30 for very much the same money.
www.integratedmechanical.ca
FYI: Tormach offers BT30 spindles as an option:
PCNC 1100 CNC Milling Machine Specifications
BT30 Spindle Cartridge | Tormach LLC providers of personal small CNC machines, CNC tooling, and many more CNC items.
Although I don't know if the BT30 spindle will work with thier ATC.
Accumulated error in both concentricity and tool harmonics is number 1 issue.
Limited holding power of the R8 design
Extended gauge length also affects rigidity.
With a CAT 40 you can get an ER collet or a heat shrink holder that has gauge length of .5" - the ultimate in accuracy and rigidity
The TTS is a band-aid solution instead of addressing the root of the issue
www.integratedmechanical.ca
He states in the video that it is a custom tool holder with a retention knob.
I would have jumped at a machine like that if it had more Z height. 8.5" is not enough. I am lucky to get by with the 14" on my 770.
Wade