General PCNC Mill Questions

  1. What are some typical applications for PCNC mills?

    Please read our Typical Applications

  2. What level of Quality Assurance is performed on each PCNC?

    Please read our Quality Overview.

  3. Where can I find out about new products?

    Subscribe to our technology blog, Milling Around. Weekly updates, tips, and tricks to satisfy your CNC fix.

  4. 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 . 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 performed on modern CNC surface grinders before final fitting using craftsmen hand scraping techniques. Ballscrews are hand fitted and inspected. Electric motors are built to the highest standards at modern factories – the same motors we use are also private labeled by some of the most well respected worldwide brands. 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. All new machines are painted with an Acylated Alkyd Resin/Amino Resin Paint which adheres strongly to metal surfaces and had been tested for resistance to common way oil and coolant.

  5. 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.. 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 mills can be run continuously, 24 hours a day. We know 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. That being said, a PCNC mill can be fitted with several options to boost productivity. These include a pneumatically actuated power draw bar, and 10 position automatic tool changer (ATC).

  6. 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. In this capacity, Tormach machines are used as dedicated mill/drill machines, plunge EDM electrode mills, or even portable secondary operation stations. System integrators have even used our mills as a custom motion platform for some very unique applications. For examples of Tormach customers using their PCNCs for commercial work, visit our Customer Showcase webpage

  7. 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. In particular, The PCNC 770 is designed for disassembly into 3 subcomponents. This not only makes lifting more manageable, but allows transport of the mill into smaller spaces, such as basement shops. For more information on the PCNC Moving Kit, visit our PCNC 770 webpage.

  8. Where are Tormach accessories made?

    Our accessories are sourced around the world, including the USA, Germany, UK, Russia, and many other places. Light assembly and manufacturing of several of our products takes place at our location in Waunakee, WI.

  9. Where are the machines 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.