Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelBick
Definitely go manual before you even look at CNC. CNC, with tooling is definitely going to cost you more than 40k. If it was my money, I would rather look into fully outfitting a shop with manual machines first. Also, it is important to know whether you need new machines or are willing to buy used. Also, if you are going to upgrade later, you might as well buy larger now and save money.
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I have both agreements and disagreements with this, you CAN get an amazing amount of CNC for 40k!!!! I work at a robotics company and we bought a CNC router for 10k plus maybe 2k all in for wiring and tooling, it is a 4' x 8' table too that we have used for machining bulk plastic, up to .125 Al sheet, drilling, plywood and so much more. We bought a used Haas VF-0 1994 from a dealer for 17.5k delivered and put in about 2-3k in tooling, expect your students to break many endmills. My team bought our first knee mill this year, an old bridgeport in great shape with a DRO and variable speed for 3.5k delivered, tooling was about 1k to get it to a nice versatile level.
SHOP USED!!!!
SHOP AROUND!!!!
As mentioned, one CNC could end up as a big bottleneck, but with a used CNC mill, a CNC router and a manual or 2 you can squeeze this all in with tooling for 40k and crank out A LOT OF PARTS QUICKLY! Speed is king here, you get to use the router to crank out plywood prototypes in a day or two easy, fab sheet parts, drill square tube, and machine just about anything shy of billet aluminum. Then you have your CNC mill handle the complex, intricate, and high precision parts. Then you have the Manual mill(s) to handle the easy stuff and doubles as a drill press.
In regards to cutting up stock, I have a few opinions.
One, I have a LOT of good things to say about using a chop saw(Miter type) with a special aluminum cutting blade. They make short work of stock and cut clean, get a good chop saw with a slower speed if you can find it. Downside is you must either be VERY careful with hex/round stock, or clamp it so it can't roll.
Two, Did you know that a table saw cuts aluminum? Even with a stock carbide wood blade, just go slowly. I personally have cut INCH THICK plate this way, it takes about twice as long to cut but have had no problems cutting aluminum this way. ($500 Table Saw > $5000 Band Saw in versatility)
Three, If you need a starter band saw, I suggest getting one of the hand portable ones with a table stand. Its a power hack saw and a bench top vertical band saw.
Using the above to cut all your stock(unless you use a lot of steel) should cover almost anything, and when you can cut out complex sheet metal parts on the router you have a lot of design flexibility.
On the subject of lathes, you can get a LOT of lathe for 2-5k. My work just purchased a Hardinge 8 tool turret lathe, it is big, it is solid, it can crank parts like a CNC! Paid $1600 with tooling, less than a dollar a pound. Craigslist and a swarm of post sifting students will be your friend.
In summary
Chop saw with a non-ferrous cutting blade
Table saw with same
Porta band saw
Bridgeport or 2
CNC mill (used) don't need a probe, or 4th axis(just use fixtures and being the clever monkey) get at least 10 tool changer, flood cooling and chip auger.
CNC router 4'x4' bed should be plenty
Lathe get a full to mid size one used
Buy endmills in bulk and get cheap bright finish ones first.
/EndDataStream
Feel free to email me with any questions
devin@greenbotics.com