pic: FRC228 Tormach CNC Mill

[eedoga]

My team needs to get better at fund raising...13K is our entire budget for the year...Thank goodness we have a material sponsor who can cut stuff out for us...Would be nice to do it "in house" though.

Edoga

[davepowers]

Originally Posted by eedoga

My team needs to get better at fund raising...13K is our entire budget for the year...Thank goodness we have a material sponsor who can cut stuff out for us...Would be nice to do it "in house" though.

Edoga

Looks for grants and search for donations, there's tons of free money out there, you just have to figure out where to look! You guys will get there, it just takes determination and dedication!

[ProgrammerMatt]

Some things i have been making with it, i need to teach my team how to use it now including the mentors

[Mk.32]

Originally Posted by ProgrammerMatt

Some things i have been making with it, i need to teach my team how to use it now including the mentors

It appears you are running water for coolant.... and I see rust spots forming. You want to use actual coolant mixed with the water to prevent rust and it cuts better.

If you guys use Solidworks this may be worth checking out: http://www.hsmworks.com/hsmxpress/

The xpress edition is a free plug in for Solidworks, and lets you create 2.5D tool paths within solidworks (it adds another tab), it's quick and really easy for anyone to learn. It also has a Mach2 post built in that runs happy with the Tormach branded Mach3. Also I recently called them up and they gave us the full edition (which includes 3D Milling/4th axis/etc) for free on a educational license.

[ProgrammerMatt]

Originally Posted by Mk.32

It appears you are running water for coolant.... and I see rust spots forming. You want to use actual coolant mixed with the water to prevent rust and it cuts better.

If you guys use Solidworks this may be worth checking out: http://www.hsmworks.com/hsmxpress/

The xpress edition is a free plug in for Solidworks, and lets you create 2.5D tool paths within solidworks (it adds another tab), it's quick and really easy for anyone to learn. It also has a Mach2 post built in that runs happy with the Tormach branded Mach3. Also I recently called them up and they gave us the full edition (which includes 3D Milling/4th axis/etc) for free on a educational license.

We are using water based coolant, which was came with the machine. The vice itself was donated to the team by my father who had it sitting in my basement, we just haven't had time to polish it yet.

We'll defiantly give hsmworks a call and ask about the full edition, that would be awesome! Thanks for the lead!

-M

[Mk.32]

Originally Posted by ProgrammerMatt

We are using water based coolant, which was came with the machine. The vice itself was donated to the team by my father who had it sitting in my basement, we just haven't had time to polish it yet.

We'll defiantly give hsmworks a call and ask about the full edition, that would be awesome! Thanks for the lead!

-M

Ah, that makes a bit more sense.
Just don't do anything to abrasive to clean the rust, I have been told using something abrasive can mess with the squareness of the vice.

You guys also plan on getting the tool changer/power draw bar?

[ProgrammerMatt]

Originally Posted by Mk.32

Ah, that makes a bit more sense.
Just don't do anything to abrasive to clean the rust, I have been told using something abrasive can mess with the squareness of the vice.

You guys also plan on getting the tool changer/power draw bar?

yea, the power draw bar is next on our list then the tool changer,

[peronis]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I am currently in the process of trying to secure funds through our district for a CNC machine for aluminum cutting. I am deciding to get a Tormach 1100, or go with a Shopbot buddy alpha.

I like the large build area of the shopbot, and that it could be used for wood as well. I got a quote with shipping for the shopbot for just under 17000 with shipping. Seems like the Tormach with a lot of extras would run the same or less.

I would love any advice on what machine would be a better use of funds for regular FIRST specific uses?


Thank you so much

[CENTURION]

Originally Posted by peronis

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I am currently in the process of trying to secure funds through our district for a CNC machine for aluminum cutting. I am deciding to get a Tormach 1100, or go with a Shopbot buddy alpha.

I like the large build area of the shopbot, and that it could be used for wood as well. I got a quote with shipping for the shopbot for just under 17000 with shipping. Seems like the Tormach with a lot of extras would run the same or less.

I would love any advice on what machine would be a better use of funds for regular FIRST specific uses?


Thank you so much

I haven't personally worked with either (working on getting a Tormach for our buildsite). But the Tormach 1100 is a very impressive machine, especially for how little it costs. It's got a lot of rigidity and power at it's disposal. I've been following a fella on youtube who uses his to make high-quality pocket knives. He mills titanium and exotic stainless steels no problem, and even hard milling. Not that those are things that you'll do in FRC much, but it speaks to the capability of the machine.

The only advantage I can see to the Shopbot would be the work area, but I think the PCNC 1100's work area is big enough to do just about any FRC part you can think of. The Shopbot might be a bit better for making some sheet metal parts, but I think having proper toolholders and the capabilities of a real mill are worth that tradeoff.

[peronis]

Thank you for the advice... I am really up in the air for the choice. I have seen many youtubes and examples of the products the Tormach can produce, and definitely is made for metal.

I know there are some teams out there that have to have a shopbot. I haven't seen many pictures or videos of aluminum done with them.

I think we will be focusing on using the machines for hole patterns, brackets, gussets, gearboxes, on aluminum plate (proly not much thicker than 1/4"), angle, and tube stock.

Thank you

[Cory]

Do you need to purchase a new machine? You can get a much better machine for the money if you can buy used.

[peronis]

I don't necessarily need a new machine, however I believe it will be easier for the school to approve and buy one from a company. In addition, a new machine would include support and additional resources if problems arise.

Do you have any experience with either machine?