About the Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the most frequently asked questions our customers ask us. We have included short answers to these questions and links to pages and documents for further explanation. If you have any additional questions, please Contact Us.
General PCNC 1100 Mill 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.
-
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.
-
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.
- 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.
- 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
PCNC 1100 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 - 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
PCNC 1100 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 on our
Support Documents
webpage. 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.
- 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 on our
Support Documents
webpage. 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.
- 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.
Sales & Support Questions - 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.
- 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
Upgrades & Maintenance
webpage. The replacement part
sets are mainly of interest
to international customers who
do not have an option of overnight
shipping.
- We stock all replacement parts
and can provide overnight domestic
shipment, if necessary. We offer
sets and individual maintenance
parts on our
Upgrades & 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 Series II
webpage for more information.
- 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 Series II
webpage for more information.
- Do you support older models
of PCNC milling machines?
- Yes, we support all PCNC models,
regardless of what model we
are currently selling. Please
see our
Previous Models
webpage for more information,
including links to older documentation.
- Yes, we support all PCNC models,
regardless of what model we
are currently selling. Please
see our
Previous Models
webpage for more information,
including links to older documentation.
- Are field service technicians
available for installation or service?
- Currently, 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.
- Currently, 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. Please see our
Mill Demos & Referrals
webpage for more information.
- 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. Please see our
Mill Demos & Referrals
webpage for more information.
- 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. Please see our
Mill Demos & Referrals
webpage for more information.
- 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. Please see our
Mill Demos & Referrals
webpage for more information.
- 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.
- 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 do not offer any financing
ourselves, but we are 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, please visit
our
Lease, Finance, & Resale
webpage.
- We do not offer any financing
ourselves, but we are 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, please visit
our
Lease, Finance, & Resale
webpage.
- More questions?
- If you have a question that
is not answered on this page
or website, please do not hesitate
to
Contact Us.
- If you have a question that
is not answered on this page
or website, please do not hesitate
to
Contact Us.