What are your space constraints? You could get a Tormach
PCNC 1100 with ATC, a few manual benchtop
machines (I personally own the PM-30MV-L - great machine after teardown, clean, and re-lube), and a Bridgeport-type knee mill - all with tooling - for your single machine budget of 40k.
Keep in mind that you may need to get a service contract factored into your cost.
Aside from that, if the school has the budget for the Haas and has accounted for the tooling and training required to use it, then I don't see the problem
Also, you may want to pick up one of the Polygon Solutions rotary hex
broaches and
tool holder. Results
here.
For the bandsaws, get both horizontal and vertical. Units with coolant are nice to have.
For the lathe, get a bigger one. The cost of a larger lathe is miniscule compared to the tooling. Something like
this or
this should be good for most all FRC needs.
Our team wishes we had this kind of problem with our school
