Hi All

I run a small workshop and its a one man show. I machine plastics and small odd jobs bigger companies generally don't want to do.
I have a Vision Widetech VMC with fanuc 18i-mb controller that is 4th axis ready.
Its been great for the past couple years but now I need a C axis.

I had a quote from the company that sold me the machine and its quite pricey.
The unit they were selling is made in Taiwan.
So I was thinking if it would be possible to buy a cheap Chinese unit and have a technician just come in a wire things up.

If this is possible can anyone suggest to me what I'll need to purchase for this to be possible. I know I'll also need to purchase a servo amplifier and that's all I know. Is there anything else needed?

I was told that everything needs to match up, does this mean the amplifier needs to match up with the other 3 amplifiers as well?

Does the brand of the rotary matter for a Fanuc controller, is there anything i need to look for in the unit?

Should I buy a secondhand branded unit, tho I think this is still expensive.

I would like the rotary to have full contouring capabilities too.

Any help and suggestions hugely appreciated.

Thank-you in advance