Good point
QUOTE=mountaindew;2161270]Comparing Tormach with Haas is pointless. It's like comparing a go-kart to an F1 race car.
That is the point for me only in reverse. What I enjoy the most with the this system is how fast I go from art to precision part with little effort "after steep learning curve of course" is so cool.[/QUOTE]
10 year anniversary iso factory edition
The current Tormach machines use relatively small stepper motors (around 600oz nema 23). You could double or triple the size of the motors without needing servos or anything 3ph. AT sells 2800oz steppers, for example, and they don't need 3ph power (which is not really a problem anyway).
Also, Tormach machines only move the table so travel could probably be increased without needing a motor upgrade at all. If a motor upgrade was required, it would be cheap. The current motors aren't even close to being maxed out though.
On a seperate but related point, these machines bolt together. It's not that difficult to replace any components that need to be switched out for a specific upgrade if the machine is designed to be modular. They do that on the small LMS machines to an extent. I.e. You can switch out the column for more rigid ones and upgrade the travel and table size etc.
We all have our own needs and opinions and they change over time which is why a modular and upgradable design makes sense. It's not uncommon for small volume hobby parts to develop into a low volume small business and then full on production. This is the space Tormach claims to be in.
There are no technical challenges that can't be overcome relatively easily for any of the things people here said they wanted in a new machine.
I have a Tormach PCNC 1100 Series 2 running the Mach III operating system. Granted, my Tormach only has 1.5 horsepower, rapids at about 90 IPM and only has a 5,140 RPM spindle, but I’m here to tell ya, I can do “ANYTHING” on my Tormach that you can do on a Haas, Mazak, Mori Seiki or any other high dollar 3 axis CNC mill, it’s just gonna take me a little longer.
True, I only have 18 inches of X axis travel, and I only have 9 inches of Y axis and 16 inches of Z axis travel, but if I can’t hold 6 parts in one hand, they’re too big for me anyway.
BUT, I can cut 718 Inconel and 6AL4V titanium. Actually, I would rather cut Inconel and titanium anyway because for the same size parts as I make in aluminum for $10.00, I can get $50.00 for an Inconel part.
And aluminum chips are worth 45 cents per pound, Inconel is worth about $4.00.
There is plenty you can't do on a Tormach that you can do on more expensive machines. If you wanted to make an aluminum or steel part that is 20" long or more, your machine is maxed out. If you wanted to start a business, that speed limitation is going to be a hinderance unless you can make money on 3 parts a day. If you needed real precision to do some micro-lens cylinder engraving, you don't have the accuracy or spindle speed. You also can't take full advantage of the high speed milling opportunities afforded by modern coated end mills.
Now, that doesn't mean that a Tormach mill can't do anything you need it to but.... you can't speak for everyone. It certainly doesn't do what I (and some others) need.
It is expected that $30,000 to $500,000 VMCs will have a superior capability set than a $7,000 hobby mill but that doesn't mean that Tormach shouldn't be able to offer a little more travel or a larger motor for an appropriate extra fee for those that need it. There is a gap in the market that Tormach could fill quite nicely imo.
RAD. Yes those are my initials. Idea, design, build, use. It never ends.
PCNC1100 Series II, w/S3 upgrade, PDB, ATC & 4th's, PCNC1100 Series II, 4th
I did this 30x12 part on my 1100 a few years ago. 4 setups on each side.
Attachment 388984
A larger work area would make it a simple 2 setup job.
I didn't miss anything. You said the Tormach machines can do anything you can do on a Haas or Seiki etc. You are just wrong on that and the fact that some people use them to make a small living doesn't make you correct. They are a hobby / prototype machine and that's how they are marketed.
The idea that people are paying $30,000 - $500,000 for VMCs when they could have done everything on a $7000 Tormach is ridiculous.
As a former owner of a FADAL and a HAAS and now a 7 year owner of a Tormach PCNC 1100 I have to completely disagree with your statement that I can’t do anything on my Tormach that you can do on a Haas or any of those other high dollar machines.
I CAN do anything on my Tormach that you can do on those other machines, it’s just going to take longer because those other machines have 15 to 30 horsepower and my Tormach has 1,5.
You can buy GOOD PARTS or you can buy CHEAP PARTS, but you can't buy GOOD CHEAP PARTS.
Dang! That part is too big for the camera.
Lee
Tormachs are quite capable but the tolerances and precision are not as good as a non-cast iron professional Cnc.
UOTE=Steve Seebold;2165728]As a former owner of a FADAL and a HAAS and now a 7 year owner of a Tormach PCNC 1100 I have to completely disagree with your statement that I can’t do anything on my Tormach that you can do on a Haas or any of those other high dollar machines.
I CAN do anything on my Tormach that you can do on those other machines, it’s just going to take longer because those other machines have 15 to 30 horsepower and my Tormach has 1,5.[/QUOTE]
Your Tormach is as good as you are.
If it isn't square, then square it up!
If it doesn't repeat, then identify what's happening and find a solution.
Find out how to achieve the precision you need, and find out what precision you really need.
If your machine is properly set up then backlash shouldn't be an issue if you understand how to handle it (see also precision and repeatability).
Buying a better machine won't make anyone a better machinist. Its like buying a 50MP camera expecting it to make you a great photographer - it won't happen.
Step
=TurboStep;2165800]Your Tormach is as good as you are.
If it isn't square, then square it up!
If it doesn't repeat, then identify what's happening and find a solution.
Find out how to achieve the precision you need, and find out what precision you really need.
If your machine is properly set up then backlash shouldn't be an issue if you understand how to handle it (see also precision and repeatability).
Buying a better machine won't make anyone a better machinist. Its like buying a 50MP camera expecting it to make you a great photographer - it won't happen.
Step[/QUOTE]
I see a lot of dumb arguments going on here like how a tormach can do anything a 500k vmc can.
Obviously it can’t and it doesn’t matter because that’s not it’s purpose. It’s here as a cheap starter machine that can do lots of small work. Also my fadal is single phase from the factory with 7.5hp. I think tormach could definitely fill a niche by providing a machine with linear rails, just a bit more travel, servos, bt30 or 40, a real atc, rigid tap and 5hp. And I think they could do it for 20k or less depending how much China sourcing they do.
hello good morning, I had a leadshine engine like the one that appears in the photo, the supplier tells me that it is not possible anymore.buy a new engine and the only difference in the red box that stands out. the engine does not work for meThey tell me it's a power tool from the pines in the motor cable. can anybody help me?
hello good morning, I had a leadshine engine like the one that appears in the photo, the supplier tells me that it is not possible anymore.buy a new engine and the only difference in the red box that stands out. the engine does not work for meThey tell me it's a power tool from the pines in the motor cable. can anybody help me?