Vertical Machining Center Vs CNC Router

If you’re a fabricator new to CNC technology, you may be wondering where to start when purchasing the right machinery for your needs. Two popular options are the Vertical Machining Center (VMC) and the CNC router. Let’s compare the two technologies and help you decide which one is right for you. What is a CNC

How Manufacturers Can Market Their Business

What’s your why? What’s your strategy? These are two key questions you should be asking yourself when marketing in the manufacturing industry. Too many people miss out on the great ways you can market your product and company in this industry and help your team out.

Problems with CNC Machining

CNC machinery can have problems arise, and some of these problems are more common than others. When these problems occur, FlexCare+ steps in to get them resolved for you and back on track for new or current customers. These problems can include:  # 1 Fixturing CNC machinery can have problems when the workpiece that is

Flex Machine Tools Partners With Landmark Solutions

We are happy to announce Landmark Solutions as the newest distributor of FlexCNC and FlexBeam in the West. Landmark is based out of Orange County, California, with coverage throughout Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, and all of California. They pride themselves on being a professional manufacturing consulting, project management, and capital equipment distributor. The

Standard Features

  • Hand Pendant
  • 22″ Touch Screen Monitor
  • Omron FlexCNC Controller
  • Mobile Control Panel
  • Through Spindle Coolant 
  • Auto Tool Changer 
  • Flood Coolant
HP
Max RPM
FT/LBS
Series

18

4000

92

C-20-02 / C-10-02

18

6000

61

C-20-02 / C-10-02

33

12000

61

CM-20-02

Auto Stand-Off – This is currently defined to be surface stand-off and not to be confused with vector stand-off in 5-axis mode. The current auto stand-off is based on a changing surface and will adjust vertically based on the angle of the “A” Axis, so there is five (5) axis taken into account during the calculations, but this is not the same as the tool vector stand-off. There is the ability to do the vector stand-off change while the machine is running manually with buttons on the screen.

Z-Reader Probe – The Z-Reader is a device for mapping the location of the surface. It can be controlled manually & programmatically. The option is NOT active while cutting & is retracted out of harm’s way. It can be triggered to verify the surface at every pierce before the cutting process starts, or it could be used to drive surface mapping of the whole part before cutting starts. It begins with initialization or zeroing of the device to the surface at the beginning of a program and then accumulates or tracks the difference from that zeroing effort.

Automatic Edge Finder – The edge finder is or can be utilized manually (Jogging Method & Screen Buttons), programmatically (M & G codes), or fully automatic routine (dedicated program). This option sets offsets & program rotation to match the orientation & location on the cutting table.

AC Unit Installed on Electrical Cabinet – The unit is mounted on the cabinet’s High Power (480v) side. It is close to the location where the drives are mounted. This option keeps the cabinet temperature stable and allows heat dissipation faster. The servo drives for all axes are the most significant contributors to heat inside the electrical cabinet.

5-Axis Renishaw CalibrationThe calibration unit is a Renishaw model APCA45 with a modified spherical stylus. The device has a retractable cover and air purge to clear debris & dust during the activation process. It mounts to a swing arm controlled by a pneumatic rotary, so it is out of the way during regular operation and swings into the calibration position for calibration only. 

HP
Max RPM
FT/LBS
Series

18

4000

92

G-20-06 / G-10-06

18

6000

61

G-20-06 / -10-06

40

4000

217

GM-20-06 / G-20-06 / G-10-06

40

6000

145

G-20-06 / G-20-06 / G-10-06