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
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)
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$: http://www.tormach.com/store/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=32079
User Feedback:
Problems:
- only distributor in Las Vegas
- no CE
- 110V only applies to cooling pump, rest is 230V
- toolchanger works on Windows/Mach3 only
Interesting analysis of their design decisions : http://www.tormach.com/uploads/11/TD30204_DesignAnalysis-pdf.html
3.5 Charter Oak Automation High-Capacity Square Column CNC Bed Mill
http://charteroakautomation.com/our-products/cnc-bed-mill
12K$
3.6 CNC 3040
4 axis option probably from China
$1,049.00
3.7 Noname
from China
4 & 5 axis
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