Well gang, I just took the plunge and bought a 1998 vintage V2XT - in real nice and clean shape. Supposedly only used by a little old lady on weekends to engrave name plates for stamping dies.
Although I can't really afford to buy it, I simply got tired of begging and pleading to have vendors do work for me. The machine is a bit lighter than the TM1 Haas that I'd preferred to have bought, BUT the cost was MUCH less plus we can pretty much service it ourselves.
I'll just have to run the machine a bit easier than I could have run the TM1, Even so, it still will outpace my other cam making operations and should do just fine.
Not being at all adept at running or understanding G code, I'm looking for something in the way of "easy to get and use" and/or inexpensive software (preferrably parametric) that will enable me to draw stuff and then have the code output so that the V2XT will run it??? In that veign, I was searching about and found something called EZFeatureMill that Bridgeport sold in/around 1996.
Supposedly, it was very helpful to mold shoppes in that it parametrically enabled them to draw stuff in 3D. Then they could have the V2XT cut it with the tool paths that it spit out. Any info on this software would be appreciated (good, bad or indifferent).
Anybody have it to sell (older version 2 or 3 or 4 perhaps that is not being used anymore)? Or is a low rent starter version still available??? What other programs are there that would enable me to get up and running ASAP with the machine???
I've got a guy who wants to mill some "designer series" billet golf club putter heads that the machine could make (we already made simpler versions on the EzTrak I have). This machine should make it far easier than doing it on the 'Trak as the 'Trak was only 2.5D.
Any members out there who have 4th axis experience with this machine? That is the next upgrade that HAS to be made as we really need to start lobe milling cams with it ASAP. BTW, also looking for 4th axis "add on" kit for the machine.
Any input on 4th axis upgrade/programming issues that I'll can expect to face is also appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your help and input....