[hydrospin01]

So, im looking into purchasing an okuma LB3000-SBB with milling option. making round parts with a variety of shaped flats, never know what the future hold though.
Ive never used c-x contouring, but i like its price alot better then a lathe with y-axis, can all contouring be achieved with c-x option? open to everyone's thoughts/experiences.
I know one advantage of y-axis is gang style tooling.

[alan_3301]

here is a picture that shows the main difference (in my amateur opinion)



gang tooling works on either configuration, and Y axis machine will do C axis operations, but not the other way around.

[underthetire]

There is no way to use gang tooling without the Y. C/X axis is ok for key slots if you can go full cutter depth, otherwise the bottom wont be flat. The other issue with C/X is doing something like a hex on the face of the part, you will get a small line in the center of the flat from C axis reversal. Still good for side holes/face holes.

[fordav11]

I have CX contouring and its pretty useless for real milling. there are just too many negatives. a lathe with live tools but no Y its really only useful for milling slots/flats on OD the same width as the cutter and for drilling holes on side and face.
whats the price difference for the machine with a Y axis compared to without?

[Timeliner]

I currently program and operate an LB3000EX MWY, it has the Y axis and also a sub spindle. I can tell you that having the Y axis opens a whole different realm to what your machine will be capable of. only downside iv run into is the controls are kinda picky on the format of the code sometimes but seeing as I went from running a Romi EZPath to this thing, its kinda like skipping middle school so im sure I missed a few key classes.

[redbaron88]

Look into an okuma multus. I program an b200w 7 axis lathe and it does cx milling and y axis milling. It also has two chuckes And 190 degree swing on the turret(b axis)

[fordav11]

they're also a LOT more expensive than the LB3000EX MWY.....

[redbaron88]

they're also a LOT more expensive than the LB3000EX MWY.....

True but they're worth it.

[hydrospin01]

Awesome, thank you everyone, its much appreciated
I think i will go with the Y-option, model: LB3000EXII-SBB MY