Thanks Ronald,

I don't think of this as an argument either, but an opportunity to share opinions based on our various experiences. What is obvious to you, me, and several other commentators may not be obvious to all. That is what makes it hard to answer such a broad question as the original question, and then we all may have different definitions of what constitutes production. To some anything less than 100k pcs is not production. To to others anything over 10 pcs is production.

When you say Bridgeport, most people envision one of 2 models of manually operated kneemills that may or may not have been retrofitted for CNC. Only a few years ago this was an accurate paradigm. Today it is not. It was only my intention to share the information with whoever may be interested that the Hardinge/Bridgeports being produced now are at the leading edge of machining center technology and are a worthy consideration to anyone who is shopping.

It is really interesting to me that machining technology has nearly been turned upside down in the last few years, and everybody has a different idea on how to use it. My brotherinlaw has a shop that does a lot of medical devices. In keeping with your observation he uses Japenese mills, in particular, Tsugami horizontal multipallet machines. They often run all night unattended. That shop quotes nothing less than 50-100pcs. In my shop where the production seldom exceeds 1000pcs. those machines would be way too cumbersome. I have to be able to change setups quickly (usually in less than an hour) to make parts that would not fit in the Tsugami's work envelope.

Just for the record, I am not anti-Japanese machinery. They make a lot of really great stuff which I would recomend depending upon the application. Again, it all boils down to what you want to make and how many.