A well-functioning CNC machine can become your biggest strategic advantage over your competitors if you are in the manufacturing business. A well performing CNC machine can help you produce more parts efficiently and accurately. When you purchase a new advanced CNC machine, you receive assurance from the brand about its performance; however, the machines are often too expensive. So what to do? The answer is you can get that same top notch level of performance using used CNC machines. Even if they have some weaknesses you can just get some new accessories or add-ons to improve that machine easily at a lower cost. But what accessories do you need? Or which one will be the best? If you have any one of these questions in your mind then continue reading till the end and you will get the solution.
Why Upgrade a Used CNC?
Before we get into what upgrade you can do to your CNC machines? Let’s find out why should you upgrade it in the first place:
- Cost effectiveness: The first and foremost reason is cost effectiveness because you can buy and upgrade a used CNC machine at a cheaper price than buying a new advanced CNC machine.
- Better accuracy and precision: After a long time of usage of CNC machines, it is common that the parts face wear and tear so upgrading them will drastically improve the accuracy of machining.
- Better capabilities: Upgrading a CNC machine makes it more capable of handling different kinds of materials and machining different complex parts.
- Modernization: Upgrading the CNC machine with more automation features will help you to keep up with modern times and reduce labor costs too.
- Safety: Upgrading the machine helps in maintaining the safety of the operators of the CNC machine.
Best accessories and add-ons to improve a used CNC machine:
Here’s a detailed list of the top accessories that you need to add to make your used CNC machine function like a brand new one:
- Automatic tool setter and tool break detectors: Manual tool setting and measurement is a very time consuming task, they are also highly prone to human errors especially when switching from one tool to another. The automatic tool setter helps with this job, they automate the measurement of tool length and diameter. This ensures accurate tool offsets, reduces scrap, and minimizes the setup error. The main benefits of adding this are faster tool changes, reduction of human error, and improved part finishing and consistency.
- Auto tool changer: This is a very common feature in modern automated CNC machines but you may not find it in the old CNC machine so you will have to make this upgrade. When your work involves frequent tool changes then this upgrade is the best one to make, as it allows the CNC machine to automatically select and change a tool from the inventory. This helps reduce the setup time at a very high rate, brings higher precision and reliability, helps lower labor costs, and makes your machine versatile for different kinds of operations.
- Spindle upgrades: Spindles are the backbone of CNC machining, without the spindles it is not possible to do the cutting works the CNC machines do. If you buy a used CNC machine with an old spindle then this is one of the best transformations you can make to it. Here are some of the main types of spindle upgrades that you can do:
- You can bring spindles with higher RPM as that will help with faster material removal rate and better surface finish.
- You can bring liquid cooled spindles for quieter and cooler machining operations.
- You can upgrade to high torque spindles, which will help in cutting tougher materials.
The key benefits of changing your spindle include better surface finishes, better material removal rate, lower risk of over heating, and longer machine lifespan.
- Thermal management system: The thermal management system needs an upgrade to ensure there is no overheating and machining failure for the same. Proper cooling not only prevents overheating but also helps with extending tool life, improving surface finish, and better chip evacuation. You can change the coolant system by bringing a flood coolant system for heavy machining, or a mist coolant system for minimal lubrication and cooling. Get balancing motor fans to reduce vibration and noise. But make sure to check the compatibility before doing it.
- Dust collection and machine enclosures: Dust and chips are the most ignored threats in CNC machining, many newbie operators often think they are just a nuisance but that’s not the case as they can damage your electronics, pose fire risks, and damage part quality. You should add dust collection systems to your CNC machine, including dust shoes and vacuum systems. There can be different types of dust collection like downdraft tables, dust hoods and shoes, central dust collection systems, and compact dust collectors. The key benefits of modern dust collection systems are cleaner workspace, reduced wear and tear of CNC machines, better surface finish, and better safety for operators.
- Precision Linear rails and ball screws: Old machines have basic guide rails and ball screws but you won’t be able to compete with modern machining shops with those machines. So, you will have to upgrade to precision linear rails and ball screws which can dramatically improve the rigidity, reduce backlash, and help with smoother motion. You will achieve higher dimensional accuracy and repeatability with these upgrades, and the machine’s life span will also increase.
- Safety and environmental control accessories: Different safety upgrades can be done to a CNC machine to make sure it can do complex machining work without any threat of accidents or harm to your operators. You can add emergency stop buttons, then you can also use light curtains, and safety interlocks to prevent any kind of accidents. You can also upgrade some environmental controls like sound enclosures, and proper dust disposal systems helping to create a more healthier and comfortable environment for work.
Conclusion:
Upgrading a used CNC machine is a great financial investment that you can make to take your machining to a different level rather than doing it by buying a highly costly new CNC machine. Now if you are looking to buy used multi-axis CNC machining centers then you can check our collections and select the best one for yourself.
