Below are the most frequent questions our customers ask us. We have included short answers to these questions and links to pages and documents for further explanation.

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General PCNC 1100 Questions

Where is the machine made?

Tormach machinery is manufactured to our specifications in China. We have daily contact with the factory. In addition to setting the test tolerances for each product, a Tormach employee audits the final QC on every machine at the factory.

Can the machine be taken apart to move in pieces?

This is certainly possible and quite a few people have done just that. All castings are pinned with precision ground dowel pins to allow disassembly and reassembly while preserving the alignment of components. Never the less, you do need to be careful and disassembly does have warranty implications for operation and precision. We recommend you test run your machine before you take it apart.

Are the PCNC mills suitable for commercial work?

Absolutely. Most machines are used in small factories, universities, or hobby shops, and quite a few are running continuously in multiple shift operations. The mills get their hardest workout when used as part of a dedicated work cell in a production environment. For examples of Tormach customers using the PCNC 1100 for commercial work, visit our Customer Stories webpage.

Why is the PCNC rated for "short run production?"

The reason we mention short run production is that we want people to be realistic about the commercial application of a 1.5 hp mill that does not have an automatic tool changer. If you typically have to make 10,000 parts in a run then you probably need a different machine. The reference to short run production does not imply any limitation in durability or duty cycle. The PCNC 1100 mill can be run continuously, 24 hours a day. We have reports of complex mold making or engraving tasks where our customers are running 16 hour programs. The physical limit of single code is 10 million lines.

What can I expect for manufacturing quality?

You can expect every machine to meet the specifications recorded in our inspection report. The inspection report form can be seen in the Document Library under PCNC1100 Certification Inspection. The castings are high quality, using a resin based casting system instead of the crude sand casting methods typical of low cost Chinese machinery. Resin based casting delivers more uniform castings with consistent wall and web thickness. Way grinding is preformed on modern CNC surface grinders. Sheet metal fabrications are built with heavy gauge steel, but you may note some variability in the sheet metal and welding as there is still considerable hand work in the fabrication process.

Technical Questions

Can I upgrade for increased accuracy?

We do not offer any accuracy upgrade package, nor would it be practical. The differences between a mill that can consistently deliver 0.001” accuracy and one that can deliver 0.0002” are significant and require changes throughout the machine. There is no magic bullet, no single component change, that will transform the mill into a different beast. Dropping a Corvette engine into a Chevy Impala does not make it a Corvette. Likewise, substitution for higher grade ballscrews, glass scale feedback, or high performance servo, that will not deliver a significantly higher level of performance.

What types of ballscrews are used?

We use a ground ballscrew, P4 grade with a double nut. P4 specification is 0.0006” per foot and is 100% inspected using a laser interferometer. Many commercial machines use a lower grade like P5. P5 screws have a larger tolerance for error and are generally spot inspected, not 100% inspected. Retrofit machines and conversion kits typically use a rolled ballscrew such as Rockford Screws. These are typically ungraded but are roughly equivalent to C7 or C8 with 0.001" to 0.003" error per foot.

Do you need two wrenches to do tool changes?

The spindle has a built in spindle lock. This allows a single wrench to be used for tool changing; allowing your other hand on the tool to prevent it from falling out after it’s loose. There is mechanical interlock on the spindle door which makes it impossible to forget to remove the spindle lock before starting the spindle. Finally, there is an electrical interlock on the spindle door which prevents the spindle from coming on when you’re in the middle of changing a tool.

Why are there two belt positions on the spindle motor?

The spindle drive is infinitely variable in speed, but there are practical limits because an induction motor delivers very little power at low speed. The motor/spindle ratio needed for 4000 RPM would not be able to deliver any effective cutting power at 150 RPM. By offering two belt positions our spindle delivers good torque through a wide speed range. Changing belt positions is rarely needed because there is considerable overlap between the high speed and low speed positions. When a belt change is required, it takes less than a minute.

What is the dovetail surface and will it wear out?

The plastic surface is PTFE filled acetyl. Common trade names for this type of material are Turcite or Delron AF. The plastic slide surface is not a coating, it’s a bonded strip, about 1/32” thick. This type of slideway was common on mills in the past but now is only seen on expensive high precision machines such as Hardinge VMCs. The ways must be hand scrapped by experienced technicians. Many machine manufacturers have switched to linear rollers due to labor costs, but manufacturing in China allows us to provide this superior design at a low cost. It’s conceivable that the slideway could get worn out, but it would take a lot of hours. Additional engineering details of the slideway design can be found on page eight of our PCNC Design Document.

Can the PCNC mill be purchased without controls?

We do not sell the machine frame without controls for several reasons. Unless a machine is completed it cannot be fully tested for precision and quality. In addition, we do not want any confusion between a home-built Tormach mill and professionally finished Tormach mill. Finally, there is no savings to the consumer. Motors, drives, and other control components cost far more when purchased separately.

Is there a servo driven version available?

No. Our stepper motor control system is superior to brush style servos in terms of dynamic accuracy, reliability, durability, and cost. Brush style servos do offer higher speed, but we are not willing to accept the compromises associated with brush servos to achieve a bit of speed. Brushless AC servos do not suffer the problems of brush servos, but their cost is excessive. Further details on comparison of axis drive systems can be found on page seven of our PCNC Design Document.

Does the stepper control system sometimes lose steps?

Proper engineering of a stepper system is not trivial. The fact that stepper driven motion control is commonly used on mission critical systems, such as medical equipment, is testament to the reliability and accuracy of the technology. The technology has been given a black eye by a few poorly design machines offered by others, as well as a large number of hobbyist CNC projects. A proper engineered machine, like the PCNC 1100, will not lose position in normal operation. The PCNC 1100 axis system can deliver 850 lbs of force before missing a step, more than enough to break most cutting tools. Step loss has simply not been an issue for us.

Software Questions

What is the control software and is it fully configured?

Our machines are delivered with a Mach3 license and a fully developed Mach3 machine control program. While other manufacturers may provide nothing more than a Mach3 profile, Tormach delivers custom screens, accessory plug-ins, special machine macros (M codes), and integrated CAM, and more. The standard installation includes functions and features for turnkey support of Tormach accessories such as our 4th axis, digitizing and touch-off probe, tool height calibrator, and electronic hand wheel. Our Mach3 installation package is available as a free download in our Document Library. The software can be operated in an off-line mode so you can see how your machine will operate even before you buy a machine. Legacy Tormach machines receive free updates to the latest release.

Can I modify the control configuration?

Machine owners who sign a release statement can obtain information on how to modify the machine configuration. The machine wiring is fully documented. The combination of configuration control and the machine wiring diagram allows endless modifications. Some PCNC mills have been integrated into larger manufacturing systems while others have been modified to become dedicated work centers for specific products.

Can a different control program be used?

PCNC mills can operate with any number of control programs. EMC2 is perhaps the most interesting alternative. EMC2 is a GNU GPL (General Public License) program using Linux operating systems. More info is at http://www.linuxcnc.org. As with all GPL programs, it is free to use and includes complete source code. As with Mach3, EMC2 is fully expandable and configurable. EMC2 is of interest to many research and educational institutions, as well as Linux advocates, due to the open architecture of the software and the unique terms and conditions of the GNU GPL.

Service/Sales Questions

Are replacement parts available?

We stock all replacement parts and can provide overnight domestic shipment, if necessary. We offer sets and individual maintenance parts on our Maintenance webpage. The replacement part sets are mainly of interest to international customers who do not have an option of overnight shipping.

Why is the warranty only six months?

We match the period of Haas Automation. Haas is the clear leader in medium to low cost CNC machinery (less than $250,000). Tormach warranty is less restrictive than Haas but covers the same time period. We also offer a 12 month warranty extension which is renewable on an annual basis, rather like a maintenance contract. Visit our PCNC 1100 webpage for more information.

Are field service technicians available for installation or service?

We do not have service technicians for local service. We provide guidance on installation, troubleshooting, adjustment, and component replacement, but when it comes to measuring a voltage or turning the screwdriver, that's the machine owner's responsibility. The machines are designed for durability and simplicity; making problems rare and repairs easy. Never the less, there may come a day when someone on your end will need to make a repair. You must be comfortable with general electrical and mechanical repair concepts, including the appropriate safety procedures, before working on your machine. If you do not have the required skills you will need to find someone locally to assist you.

Can I visit Tormach to see a machine?

We love to have visitors. Our showroom has several machines running and we are open weekdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM central time. Weekend or evening visits can also be arranged. We ask that you make an appointment in advance of your visit.

Can I see a Tormach machine locally?

Very likely. We have machines in most states and provinces, as well as on every continent (except Antarctica). Many of our customers are willing to discuss their mill and perhaps even show you their shop. If you send us an email request with your address, we can send you information about the closest machine customer in your area willing to talk with you about our products. Tormach does not provide any kickbacks, compensation, or special pricing for these referrals. We build our fan club the old fashion way, through value, quality, and service.

Will you cut my part to prove the machine suitability?

No. This practice is common among companies that sell machines on commission, often with a high profit margin. In trying to provide the lowest possible price on a quality machine, we do not pad the price of the machine as would be required for this sort of presales effort. If you need to confirm production of your specific part on a PCNC mill we suggest contacting one of or PCNC consultants on our Consultants webpage. They can manufacture your part on a PCNC mill for a reasonable fee. The PCNC consultants are independent of Tormach.

Is financing available?

We have posted a link to Direct Capital on our website, but we are also happy to work with the capital finance company of your choice. Conventional equipment financing is written up as a lease, where you own the machine after the last payment. To learn more about Direct Capital, please visit our Lease/Finance webpage.

More questions?

If you have a question that is not answered on this page or website, please do not hesitate to ask. For the quickest response, please call us at (608) 849-8381 or email us at: info@tormach.com.