Compact CNC Mill Evaluation

1 Notes

3 axis machines are nice for very simple prototype parts but as soon as you need to mill objects from multiple sides with multiple tools this can quickly become a a pretty manual process. A 4/5 axis machine could solve that problem though these are drastically more expensive. If this machine could not only be used for prototyping but also for production at a certain extend it could quickly pay for itself though.

Things to look out for:

• control software future-proof (Linux, open source)?
• replacement parts are affordable and quickly available?
• tool selection (requires expensive special brand/kind)?

2 3 Axis Machines

2.1 Haas Minimill

http://www.haascnc.com/mt_spec1.asp?id=MINIMILL2&webID=MINI_MILL_VMC#gsc.tab=0

€ 27.000+

2.2 Shapeoko 2

https://www.inventables.com/technologies/desktop-3d-carving-cnc-mill-kit-shapeoko-2

Full package: € 1061

Open Hardware/Free Software

2.3 Sherline

http://www.sherline.com/8540pg.htm

2.4 Othermill

https://othermachine.co/store/othermill/

2200$

2.5 Microproto CNC Mill

http://www.microproto.com/

2500$

2.6 KarlG's "kleine robuste Fräse"

a compact sturdy 3 axis mill developed by KarlG in the fpv-community.de forum. very precise. To order over pm from KarlG but the list seems to be long...

basic kit 1350€ (no motors, electronic and software)

assembling and calibration 300€

forum link (all german)

Video

3 4/5 Axis Machines

3.1 Novakon

http://novakon.net/bedmills/pulsar/

Ship from Canada

They seem to have pissed off at least one customer in a major way: http://www.novakoncnc.com

3.2 Haase

http://www.team-haase.de/zubehoer/drehachsen

mills ranging from consumer to pro range with accessory for 4th axis

3.3 Roland MDX-40A

http://www.rolanddga.com/products/3d/mdx40/

Optional 4th axis

$ 13,000

3.4 Tormach

http://www.tormach.com/store/index.php?app=ecom&ns=catshow&ref=PCNC770_Mill

$ 7000+

around 15 - 20 k$ for full package with tool changer and 4th axis.

They also have an injection molding accessory for 800$: http://www.tormach.com/store/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=32079

User Feedback:

• http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/cnc-machining/tormach-mill-not-191459/index4.html

• http://www.cnczone.com/forums/tormach-personal-cnc-mill/153360-considering-buying-tormach-pcnc-1100-series-3-a.html

• http://www.cnc-arena.com/en/forum/how-many-emc-linuxcnc-users-here--184364.html

• http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109604

Problems:

• only distributor in Las Vegas
• no CE
• 110V only applies to cooling pump, rest is 230V
• toolchanger works on Windows/Mach3 only

Interesting analysis of their design decisions : http://www.tormach.com/uploads/11/TD30204_DesignAnalysis-pdf.html

3.5 Charter Oak Automation High-Capacity Square Column CNC Bed Mill

http://charteroakautomation.com/our-products/cnc-bed-mill

12K$

3.6 CNC 3040

http://www.carving-cnc.com/cnc3040-series/cnc-3040z-4d-new-version-router-engraver-drilling-and-milling-machine.html

4 axis option probably from China

$1,049.00

3.7 Noname

from China

4 & 5 axis

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Axis-CNC-3040-Table-Column-Type-Engraving-Machine-High-pricision-Ball-Screw-/251454573602?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a8bdc4c22

3.8 Pocket NC P5

http://www.pocketnc.com/products/

5 axis desktop CNC mill - still awaiting crowd funding campaign launch, no product until 2015

3500 $ target price

3.9 nscnc

affordable 4 and 5 axis CNCs available

only for machining wax/plastic, no metal

http://nscnc.com/products/4-axis-mill-evoke/