CNC conversion AMAT25LV AMAT30LV WM18 advice needed for total novice

[dazp1976]

Hi Guys, along with designing a cnc router I am also looking to buy a milling machine.

I will use it manually prior to a CNC conversion.

I have limited space in my garage so the max sizes are the WM18 /AMAT25 /AMAT30LV size.

I have heard many good things re the Amadeal mils and them being belt driven and having a larger cutting area.

I basically have a rough idea re drivers and board but I get confused re spindle speeds.

Do you buy a seperate spindle and fit that with a VFD or do you modify the existing one. ??

Also is there a way to determine the ball screw length easy enough, and are they end machined at all ?

Where does the community purchase from ? Any recommended sellers at all ?

As I am starting from scratch I will also need to buy cutters, clamping and a machine vice so I am trying to keep the cost of items to a minimum but not hinder quality.

The machine is for hobby use only to make prototype parts in steal and aluminium.

The mill will sit on a pre built workbench.

Unfortunately I dont have space for Bridgeport sized machines.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks again

Mike

The AMAT25LV is the machine I'd go for. (Mine is still sitting in it's crate)
Unless you need a longer Y, then I'd go for the 30.

The 25 is closer to the Precision Matthews PM25V in terms of build. There are some subtle differences from the G0704 looking at the pdf manuals.

I'll be taking about 3 months to finish mine I reckon!!!!.

[dazp1976]

Following on from my last comment.
Have been rebuilding the X2 which is why I hadn't got round to look at mine yet.

Now in truth I am a little stumped!?
Just got round to un-crating my AMAT25LV and noticed the spindle center is nowhere near the table center.
It's as though the head needs a spacer of at least 1 inch thickness fitted.

It has 185mm table movement on Y axis but with the column bellows fitted the distance between these and the spindle center is only 160mm.
Couldn't get full 185 cut with them fitted when there's work on the table, only the 160mm is acheivable.

With the bellows removed the spindle center measures 185mm distance from the dovetails, just.
Also the table doesn't go all the way back (you can see the brass nut hit first) and hangs right out all the way to the handle when coming forward.
With the table as far back as it goes there is still 40mm of the table left to go to the spindle center.
With the table full forward the spindle center hangs right off it into empty space.

Need to have a good look at this. Doesn't seem right at all.

Info on it shows it's a 1100w motor with speeds of 0-1500 & 0-3000rpm & feels pretty damn solid so isn't all bad.
I'll be pulling it apart soon so it looks like a case of using it without the column cover bellows for now.

I'll see if I can source some longer M10 T-bolts for the head unit and add a 1 inch spacer at a later date. Hopefully it will be that simple.


I bet these size machines are all about the same. I've seen a fair few spacers put behind the head on those G0704 ones.
May have been better off with the 30LV myself beings I need at least 180mm Y travel, hmmmm. The 2250 max rpm and the weight put me off that. Shame.

[Hulksmash]

Thanks for the update dazp1976. Keep us posted. Is it a fault with the AMAT25 or is that just how it is with the spindle?? Almost sounds like the lead screw nut controlling the table is off.

I have been looking at these machines too. They look very similar to Warco but are belt drive, larger motor etc.

http://www.toolco.co.uk/categories/milling-machines

Re spindle speed... I am unsure as yet if to buy a 3kw spindle eventually and add an adapter to the machine holding it or to upgrade the the main spindle to increase the speed.

[Doddy]

Following on from my last comment.
Have been rebuilding the X2 which is why I hadn't got round to look at mine yet.

Now in truth I am a little stumped!?
Just got round to un-crating my AMAT25LV and noticed the spindle center is nowhere near the table center.
It's as though the head needs a spacer of at least 1 inch thickness fitted.

It has 185mm table movement on Y axis but with the column bellows fitted the distance between these and the spindle center is only 160mm.
Couldn't get full 185 cut with them fitted when there's work on the table, only the 160mm is acheivable.

ARC advertise the SX2.7 as having 165/190mm travel depending upon having the bellows fit, or not. I think you're right - a number of these machines have similar issues

[dazp1976]

ARC advertise the SX2.7 as having 165/190mm travel depending upon having the bellows fit, or not. I think you're right - a number of these machines have similar issues

I'd have bought the 30LV if I'd known about this. At least I'd have got the 180mm travel I needed straight out of the box! (states 220mm max).
Once I start converting the 25 I'll set the table 20mm further back from where it is now and later on fit a 25mm head spacer.
That should be enough to achieve what I need.
Kind of annoyed.

I'm actually considering putting the motor and control box from the 25 onto the X2 while I'm messing with this. I get 160mm on the X2 with the changes I made.

[komatias]

you guys seen this: http://www.mycncuk.com/threads/12274...e-for-December

[dazp1976]

you guys seen this: http://www.mycncuk.com/threads/12274...e-for-December

I suspect it will be exactly the same as my 25LV (identical spec) with Y travel limitations when the chip guard bellows are in place. Saw a post on CNC zone mentioning this the other day regarding a similar machine.

My advice would be: If you want a machine about this size with 180mm Y travel then the AMAT30LV is in stock atm.
Might not be for long though.
I'm unfortunately committed to my 25 now :(

[Hulksmash]

I suspect it will be exactly the same as my 25LV (identical spec) with Y travel limitations when the chip guard bellows are in place. Saw a post on CNC zone mentioning this the other day regarding a similar machine.

My advice would be: If you want a machine about this size with 180mm Y travel then the AMAT30LV is in stock atm.
Might not be for long though.
I'm unfortunately committed to my 25 now :(

What about this machine ? These better than the warco wm18 or AMAT30 ?

http://www.toolco.co.uk/products/vm3...ling-machine-1