Thread: CNC Mill
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Unread 01-05-2014, 11:14
Andy A. Andy A. is offline
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Re: CNC Mill

Quote:
Originally Posted by Metalcrafters View Post
http://www.southwesternindustries.co.../prototrak-emx

It allows for manual machining with a DRO digital read out and allows for simple to complex cnc programs. These programs can be programmed at the machine or offline such as mastercam or any other cam software.
I'll just offer a counterpoint: I don't really like the conversational programming interface, at least as it appears on the machine I have access to (an EMX, I think). It's functional but has a significant learning curve and takes some time to enter anything moderately complex (all the while occupying the mill). It's a lot of data entry with limited visual cues and many ways to make mistakes. Obviously more frequent use would bring greater familiarity and speed, but even after 6 weeks of fairly intense use I feel like I'm digging a hole with a stick.

95 had to jump through quite a few hoops before we finally had access to mastercam and a working post, but it makes the mill far more powerful and pleasant to use. So I recommend the prototrak on the strength of it being both a reasonable manual mill and a fairly large work envelope cnc mill when coupled with dedicated CAM software. The conversational stuff surely has it's place and fans but its never lived up to the promise, in my mind.