OK, long backstory short. You may know that I own and run my own machine shop out of my garage. I started my business with a 1973 Bridgeport CNC mill that I upgraded and added 4th axis capability to. I expanded my business with the aquisition of a Femco Durga CNC lathe. Now, I have upped the ante and purchased...
THE SABERINATOR!!!<clicky pics for bigger views>
A little over a week ago, I took delivery of a brand new 2012 Haas Mini Mill 2 (because I can't let LDM have all the mini mill fun ;D).
It has the following features and options:
7.5 HP 0-6000 RPM spindle with CAT 40 taper
20" (X) x 16" (Y) x 14" (Z) travel
full enclosure
USB port
20 pocket tool changer
Renishaw Intuitive Probing package
4th Axis drive hardware
Rigid Tapping
Chip Auger
Programmable Coolant Nozzle
High-speed Machining
Remote Jog Handle
HRT-160 rotary table
6" 3 jaw chuck
Manual Tailstock
I bought all brand new CAT 40 tool holders and tools. I can load 19 in the changer at a time and it only takes a few minutes to swap tools for a given job. (I leave one pocket empty so I can turn the machine off without a tool in the spindle)
I also upped my game by opting for twin, dual station vises. I can now do multiple parts at a time without needing to change tools or parts every few minutes.
Yes, I realize the table is a bit crowded. To use the vises, the tailstock and chuck come off the machine. To use the rotary table, the vise jaws are removed and the vises opened. I wanted to cram as much capability on the table as I could and still maintain effective work setups without needing to constantly remove and re-install my fixtures (time spent indicating fixtures is time not spent cutting parts).
Before you ask. No, the black camera looking thing on the back wall is not a camera. it is the sensor for the wireless probing system. The base unit (tool setting unit) is on the table between the tailstock and vise on the left side of the table). The work probe is the tool with the red tip in the second picture.
I am still working through the initial steps in setting up the machine. I had to install the rotary table myself because it was not shipped with the machine originally and was delayed. I have also setup all my tools and set their respective offsets. next, I will work on using the part probing system and then I can start to cut some test pieces to make sure I don't FUBAR anything. It's an extremely steep learning curve compared to my other machines. But I am hoping that I will be cutting production parts in a week or so.
Oh, and I opted not to get the self destruct button.