I believe that the added spindle RPMs will pay off with big dividends. With servo X,Y AND Z, I think that the machine will be more pleasant to work around in close proximity. Personally, I've disliked the ssound that steppers make. I guessing that the rapids will be higher also. If so, another attribute toward making the Tormach product both capable and very affordable. This really gives the up and coming shop owner a shot at building a successful shop on a budget that has true capability to be competitive within their niche.
Beautiful work! Can you talk a little bit about post-machining mold finishing? BTW we are the proud owners of serial #84 PCNC1100, and she's still runnin' great! Thanks
I'm talking about mold polishing using 22,000+ ripp-ems air tools, the final step to get rid of tooling marks (even though those finish passes are tasty). The type of work that you see the old very experienced sirs doing in the corner of the mold shop so nobody can see their magic techniques...
For aluminum molds, I use 200W dremel instead. Wool, and tiny rubber green polishers do the job very well. Also, I'd recommend the steel wall for tooling marks removal. It is very helpful. The old sirs work with steel, they use special vibratory $$$ tools, dental/mold polishing tools, etc. Hand polishing gives a very good result, but time-consuming.
I am so close to pulling the trigger on a 2nd machine, I just really wish the servos were available as I need the speed on the rapids. I really love PathPilot and how quick I can get a part setup and the machine running, but when you have 60 parts that each need 4 ops, I need faster cycle times!
Maybe I missed a few interesting details: how much machining time went into one of the typical machining strategies for the finishing at a step over of .002"? can you specify the part number and mfgr for the roughing carbide and the ball carbide? thank you
That's a nice part! Can you share the fusion file in the project library as you did before? Very curious to see the toolpath, tools, feeds/speeds, and other details. Also would be very nice if you add the product links/number for the tools that you used in the description. Thank you!
Hello Brian, thanks for the question. This is a seemingly simple question, that can be rather difficult to answer. Cost depends on material costs, and cycle time; along with any modeling, programming, or finishing time needed. On this part, we had everything wrapped up in a couple of days. The majority of the part was run unattended over night.
This is amazing... but... why not do this on your Haas? It seems like you could have cut your roughing time in half or more with the higher HP spindle. Not knocking the Tormach, but that's a LOT of material to hog out.
Why would tormach make a video to show what a haas can do? Of course an industrial machine thats 4x the price can do it faster. Who cares. The tormach is fantastic. Couldnt be happier with mine.
I looked at a Tormach for my aluminum molds but they're the wrong tool for the job. The spindle is far too slow as molds usually require fitting small tools into cavities. For 1/8" and 1/4" carbide end mills in aluminum I work at 18,000 to 24,000 rpm. I know they have an optional high speed spindle attachment but it's hardly ideal. Also, the travel is far too limited on a Tormach which is why you only ever see people making mundane parts. I can't watch another fishing bait mold video or someone spending 5 hours making a bracket they could have got for $5 off ebay.... If you want make a rife stock mold, or one for a guitar or bike frame you're better off using the same money for one of the more rigid CNC routers with 48"x24" travel+ IMO.
Many of our customers, including our employees, use the 24R for their rifle stocks and and guitar bodies and necks. It's the right tool for the job. tormach.com/machines/routers/24r-cnc-router.html
That was awesome! Nice job on the finishes, Jason.
I believe that the added spindle RPMs will pay off with big dividends. With servo X,Y AND Z, I think that the machine will be more pleasant to work around in close proximity. Personally, I've disliked the ssound that steppers make. I guessing that the rapids will be higher also. If so, another attribute toward making the Tormach product both capable and very affordable. This really gives the up and coming shop owner a shot at building a successful shop on a budget that has true capability to be competitive within their niche.
Beautiful work! Can you talk a little bit about post-machining mold finishing? BTW we are the proud owners of serial #84 PCNC1100, and she's still runnin' great! Thanks
Now I know someone has even older 1100 than I do).
PCNC1100 Serial #14 checking in.
I'm talking about mold polishing using 22,000+ ripp-ems air tools, the final step to get rid of tooling marks (even though those finish passes are tasty). The type of work that you see the old very experienced sirs doing in the corner of the mold shop so nobody can see their magic techniques...
For aluminum molds, I use 200W dremel instead. Wool, and tiny rubber green polishers do the job very well. Also, I'd recommend the steel wall for tooling marks removal. It is very helpful. The old sirs work with steel, they use special vibratory $$$ tools, dental/mold polishing tools, etc. Hand polishing gives a very good result, but time-consuming.
Always happy to hear from proud Tormach owners! There weren't any post machining ops with this part. The finish is straight off the machine!
I am so close to pulling the trigger on a 2nd machine, I just really wish the servos were available as I need the speed on the rapids. I really love PathPilot and how quick I can get a part setup and the machine running, but when you have 60 parts that each need 4 ops, I need faster cycle times!
Maybe I missed a few interesting details: how much machining time went into one of the typical machining strategies for the finishing at a step over of .002"? can you specify the part number and mfgr for the roughing carbide and the ball carbide? thank you
That's a nice part! Can you share the fusion file in the project library as you did before? Very curious to see the toolpath, tools, feeds/speeds, and other details. Also would be very nice if you add the product links/number for the tools that you used in the description. Thank you!
This is a proprietary file, so unfortunately we can't share the files. We'll be adding links to the cutters used shortly!
Beautiful finish
I just saw this part at IMTS 2018. Looks awesome!
how did you fixture the back side? or was the video of op2 and the backside was already done?
The back side was done as op 1 using the same vise.
What's the story on those MiniShear's? I don't see them on Tormach or AB's site.
How much would a part like this cost if a customer only had a 3d model to provide?
Hello Brian, thanks for the question. This is a seemingly simple question, that can be rather difficult to answer. Cost depends on material costs, and cycle time; along with any modeling, programming, or finishing time needed. On this part, we had everything wrapped up in a couple of days. The majority of the part was run unattended over night.
Would you tell us what the total machine time was?
Thx.
Marty
Total machining time was about 23 hours for the functional side of the mold.
This is amazing... but... why not do this on your Haas? It seems like you could have cut your roughing time in half or more with the higher HP spindle. Not knocking the Tormach, but that's a LOT of material to hog out.
Why would tormach make a video to show what a haas can do? Of course an industrial machine thats 4x the price can do it faster. Who cares. The tormach is fantastic. Couldnt be happier with mine.
Do you make molds for the public?
We do not, but you could ask around on the various Tormach groups on Facebook to see if anyone can help you out.
With the part and the max travel in the X
being 18" can you tell us how you Indicated this part in the X ?
This is badass!
hello i have a question what sofware did you use for make this piece?
Sorry we missed this comment when it came in. The part was designed in Solidworks, and the CAM was done in SprutCAM.
would love to see all the cam that went into this .....
Expensive ass mold for laying carbon.
Or cheap vs an injection molding die.
I looked at a Tormach for my aluminum molds but they're the wrong tool for the job. The spindle is far too slow as molds usually require fitting small tools into cavities.
For 1/8" and 1/4" carbide end mills in aluminum I work at 18,000 to 24,000 rpm. I know they have an optional high speed spindle attachment but it's hardly ideal.
Also, the travel is far too limited on a Tormach which is why you only ever see people making mundane parts. I can't watch another fishing bait mold video or someone spending 5 hours making a bracket they could have got for $5 off ebay....
If you want make a rife stock mold, or one for a guitar or bike frame you're better off using the same money for one of the more rigid CNC routers with 48"x24" travel+ IMO.
Many of our customers, including our employees, use the 24R for their rifle stocks and and guitar bodies and necks. It's the right tool for the job. tormach.com/machines/routers/24r-cnc-router.html