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IndustryArena Forum > WoodWorking Machines > Commercial CNC Wood Routers > Reliability of commercial routers
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Posts
    409

    Reliability of commercial routers

    Hi all,
    My company is preparing to purchase a new Router. The X and Y need to be able to cut 72" by 72"We need 18" of clearance & 28" of Z stroke.
    I am looking at Multicam, and Flexicam. I read recently someone said multicam's are down frequently. has anyone else heard that?
    How about the reliability of the Flexicam?
    Does anyone know of any other manufacturers that make this size machine?
    Thank you for any info.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Posts
    22
    I haven't been looking into machines with quite as much z clearance and travel but I do require similzr y travel.

    FWIW, the Mulitcam sales person cautioned me about loss of rigidity if I added a 4" riser to the 3000 series machine. This would have increased the gantry clearance from 6" to 10". I believe the 5000 series has an optional 16" gantry clearance but that is the max.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Posts
    409
    Granto,
    Thanks for the info.
    Is there anyone else out there who owns one that can tell me about the reliability of their commercial Router?

    Thank you in advance.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    43

    Flexicam and Multicam

    I have yet to receive the Flexi I just ordered. I had several used equipment sales guys warn me against multicams for the "down as much as up" issue. Flexicam and Northwood have exceptional track records according to the sales staff at MLS machines and The CNC Router Store. Both of the companys were brokering several Multicams and stated they wished the had some used Flexicams but since a Flexi is "bulletproof" they almost never show up on the used market. Flexis if used are sold before they are ever decomissioned. I would talk to used guys for yourself. Also talk to software resellers. They deal with a lot of different machine owners and are frequently the first people called when the machine is having trouble. The opinions from guys that are disinterested in what machine I bought were the ones that steered me to my decision. I also talked to quit a few long term Flexicam owners to hear about the reliabilty etc. Although the contacts were provided by Flexicam, the people I spoke with (also looked at thir websites) were genuine CNC professionals and offered me continued support if I needed it in the future. Only 1 out of the 5 Flexicam owners I spoke with had ever had a machine go down and that was attributed to user error. I do know that the stability of voltage and clean dry compressed air are huge issues that can affect reliability. The bearings in spindles are cooled from your compressed air system. Providing the machine hermetically clean dry air will vastly increase the life of your spindle. I have spent several hundred hours researching, but bare in mind I have yet to have my machine delivered. Good luck!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Posts
    22
    I'm still considering the Techno but after hearing more about the Flexicam I'm probably going to give them a call tomorrow.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    5

    Reliability of CNC routers over 17 years

    Quote Originally Posted by cut more View Post
    Granto,
    Thanks for the info.
    Is there anyone else out there who owns one that can tell me about the reliability of their commercial Router?

    Thank you in advance.
    In 17 years of running 12 CNC routers the most reliable we have by far are the Japanese Heians. They are also have the heaviest construction, quietest spindles and best vacuum pumps. (Roots blowers). It's not unusual to go 10 years without a single fault on these. The down side is the initial cost !
    Buy one 5 - 10 years old and you will not be disappointed.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Posts
    409
    Thanks nick,
    What were the 12 routers, Were they all Heian's or were they different makes?
    What type of control do/did they have?
    Thank you,
    Cut more

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    5
    Besides Heian (all with excellent Fanuc controls) we have British Wadkins with Bosch controls. British Rye with Spanish Fagor control. and Italian Biesse. Our Biesse is now quite old so it's probably unfair to comment on it's reliablity. Wadkin still exist but no longer make CNC routers. Wadkin reliablity is not too bad except for the "F" type router heads which are very poor and the regular attention needed to those round slide bars on every each axis which must be dismantled every year to prevent bearing siezure. Sadly Rye no longer exist, but the router heads are Perske and quite good. Fagor are a very helpful company and will provide you with a CD with the machine builder manuals for their controls. This is very useful in times of trouble ! Heidenhein will also give you this information but Bosch will not. I know people with new and very fast Morbidelli routers which have experienced a number of leadscrew failures. I don't think the leadscrew can withstand the forces imposed on it at these very high accelerations. We haven't had an Andi (Anderson) but they were originally a copy of the Heian. They are of much lighter construction than Heian, but I believe a reasonable machine and the Fanuc control will be excellent. We did some trials on an Andi and on very heavy work the finish was poor compared to our existing Heians so we bought a 3rd Heian. Heian's are expensive new but I've yet to see a better built router. Good Luck, Nick

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Posts
    409
    Nick,
    Thank you for taking your time to help, I really appreciate it.
    Cutmore

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    4
    Hi

    We too are looking at a flexicam but have been offered a recon Pacer. Has your machine arrived yet and how's it doing.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    43
    We are still waiting for our Flexicam. We have had several jobs on the road and haven't been home to make final delivery arrangements. I am really anticipating it's arrival. I am still getting extremely quick responses from Flexicam with any issues or questions now they have my money. We have had to make major upgrades to our AC electric in our shop as well as improvements for compressed air. Flexicam has work with my suppliers of rotophases and air dryers to make sure I have what I need. The whole thing, which is fairly complex, has been made a great deal easier by their responsiveness. I had concerns with the customer service I received from other CNC manufacturers and sellers when I was looking. I figure if you get a poor response before the sale it will get worse after. We will take delivery the first week of Dec. I'll follow up after we get training. I've already started working with the software and get stuck often. It has been nice to get help from Flexicam usually within 10-15 minutes. Best wishes. Dan

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    4

    Wink

    Thanks Dan

    For taking the time .. I think you're probably right.

    Denise

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    599
    Who actually owns a multicam machine and can testify to this down time issue?

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    1
    My Boss just bought a Morbidelli 430s, and we are wondering what type of software to run. We want to cut some scrollwork on cabinet doors

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    599
    Quote Originally Posted by Dennis51 View Post
    My Boss just bought a Morbidelli 430s, and we are wondering what type of software to run. We want to cut some scrollwork on cabinet doors
    checkout scanvec amialble the have some very powerfull software for routers

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    43

    10 months with mmy Flexicam

    I have had the Flexicam for ten months now and the only regret is that I didn't get aggregate capability. Flexicam is still always right there if I need support although the need is rare now that we know what we are doing. Usually we are trying something way outside what we usually do before we have problems and that is always the CAM software and fixturing issues and never a machine problem but I get better help with the softare from Flexicam than I do Enroute. It has been neat for us to go from 64th to thousandths in our expectations. I will post again in the future to update my relationship with this beloved machine.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    599
    well, when talking enroute all I can say is "Tom Penner" he is one of their trainers and absolutely amazing. Doesnt flexicam have its own software?

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    43
    I have a private labelled version of Enroute called Flexiroute. Same as Enroute except opening banner. Support from Scanvec. I have better luck with the support from Flexicam though.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Posts
    107
    I have a muticam my a little old and the only this that brakes about every 3 mouths or so are the baring but with a table that small probably not going to be a problem

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Posts
    107
    i have a axyz and have owned it for 5 year and not one thing have broke one it yet the only thing is its slow but there cheap come with a cam software and never brake down

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