The New vs Old Machining Centers

it is fundamental question to all innovators, such queries develop interests of learners for science and technology.

the best example for the understanding the theme of this question is 'survismeter' vs (viscometer + stalgmometer, tensiometer), survismeter measures viscosity, surface tension and interfacial tension together but viscometer, stalmometer/tensiometer measure the same parameters individually. hence survismeter uses only 1/3 resources of the experimentor.

I am sure that Gary, Milo and RCCapper, as well as others will chime in. I have been out of the actual machine side for a while.

However, your question is WAY understated. Are you wanting to compare a new multi-axial machine to 2 older machines - 1 vertical and 1 horizontal mill?

Are you wanting to compare older 5 axis to newer 5 axis?

You're gonna get better responses if you tighten up the parameters a bit.

hope this helps,

cr3 (no relation)

I can address Old vs. New on a broader level. NASA is retiring the space shuttle fleet and designing the new generation space vehicles now. What do these new vehicles look like? Lo and behold ... the Apollo space capsules! Never has the KISS rule been applied so radically. All the bells and whistles of the space program since Apollo have merely added more things to go wrong. They have finally decided that they don't actually need all them there fancy high falutin' things. The old way did the job just fine, after decades of trying to go higher tech.

The moral of the story ... I suggest you get only what you need, depending on what you will be machining. You can certainly hold very high tolerances on any model from the 1980's as long as wear and tear of the machine has been addressed, and calibration is kept. But if you will actually put the newest features to good use, and can not do without them ... then go for the new. That's my humble opinion.

couldn't of said it better myself.

Why thank you CR3. I appreciate that, coming from a guru chimp.

Are you by chance one of those 1,000,000 chimps that was given 1,000,000 typewriters, that eventually came up with the writings of Shakespeare?

"How can we compare the new machining center (HMC/VMC) with the Old one people normally go for? How to compare the benefits of new vs. old tooling?"

List wants/needs; make matrix of cpabilities of new/old; evaluate cost per feature, as well as if both meet deminimus criteria for performance; then look at intangibles such as availability of service, trained operators,tooling etc.

Understanding the requirements of the work is the key first step; then comparing list of features. Then dollarizing cost benefits.

milo

Sir?:

Having lived through machining from flat belt line drives, WITH LEAD AND LAG BUILT IN TO THE OPERATORS HAND/EYE...to CNC "hands off machining changes".........I'd go for the most up to date equipment your budget will permit.

To stay competitive in the world market.....even if you only "deal" locally....you will find better technical capability will enhance your marketing spots and keep YOU competitive.

We have found price marketing on products benefit from hard analysis/increased production/lower cost to sustain profitability and provide our customers with an increasingly superior product at increased profit in our pockets.

MR. GUY