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CNC Milling Machines


Here are my notes on the milling machine evaluation performed in Spring of 2007.

Note, that this file is located in the documents area.  Also, if I had it to do all over again, I would have still bought the Sherline, but I would have gotten all the components seperately instead of as a package

Make/Model Base Price* X travel Y travel Z travel Table Size  Max Cutting Feed Rate Leadscrew Stepper or Servo Ways Accuracy Resolution Repeatability Max table load Axis ATC Spindle Spindle HP RPM Weight
Sherline Products 8620 4579 8.65" (220mm) 5" (127mm) 6.25" (159mm) 13"x2.75" (330x70mm) 25ipm 60° vee thread stepper   0.0036"/ft^       4th optional n/a No. 1 Morse 0.33 70-2,800  
Syil - X3 5499 14.4" 6.3" 9.1"       stepper           4th optional     1.3 80-3,600 425lbs
CNC Masters CNC Jr. 5250 19" (485mm) 7" (178mm) 5" (127mm) 28.75"x8.25" 50 ipm (20mm/sec) ballscrew(X&Y) stepper iron dovetail (X&Y) +,-0.0005/3"^ 0.0001"   100lbs 4th optional n/a R-8 2 12 speeds 661lbs (300kg)
MicroKinetics Express Mill 6995 17" (432mm) 7" (178mm) 5" (125mm) 28.5"x8.25" (724x210mm) 180 ipm ball screw (X&Y) stepper iron dovetail (X&Y) 0.003"/foot^ 0.0005" 0.0005"   4th optional n/a R-8 2.0 AC 12 speed 700lbs (317kg)
Tormach PCNC 1100 6800 16" 10" 16.25" 31.5"x9.5" 65 ipm ball screw stepper PTFE coated iron dovetail 0.0006"/foot^     500lbs 4th optional n/a R-8 1.5 300-4,500# 1130lbs
MAXNC Inc. 10 CL-EC 3600 10" 7" 9" 16"x4" 14 ipm   stepper^^ Al dovetail 0.002"   0.0002" 30lbs 4th optional n/a collet 0.2   47lbs
MicroKinetics 4-axis CNC 104** 3975 9" (229mm) 5" (125mm) 6.5" (165mm) 13"x2.75" (330x70mm) 20 ipm 60° vee thread stepper dovetail 0.0036"/ft^ 0.0001"     4th standard n/a No. 1 Morse 0.5 DC 75-2,800 58lbs
MicroProto - DSLS 3000 4500 12" 5.5" 6"                              
MicroKinetics Benchtop 006** 2595 9" (229mm) 3" 6.5" (165mm) 13"x2.75" (330x70mm) 20 ipm 60° vee thread stepper dovetail 0.0036"/ft^ 0.0001"     4th optional n/a No. 1 Morse 0.5 DC 75-2,800 45lbs
MicroProto - MicroMill 2000 3200 12" 5.75 6"                              
Super Tech & Associates Servo Micro Mill 3495 12" 5.5" (140mm) 6.0" (152mm) 18.5"x3.5" 90 ipm   servo     0.0000625"       n/a collet 0.125 1,100-10,000 (6 speeds)  
Taig Tools MicroMill 2026 2095 9.5" 5.5" 6.0" 15.5"x3.5" 30 ipm   stepper     0.000125" 0.0005" 25lbs 4th optional n/a collet   1,100-10,000 (6 speeds) 85lbs
Taig Tools MicroMill 2027 2295 12" 5.5" 6.0" 18.5"x3.5" 30 ipm   stepper     0.000125"     4th optional n/a collet 0.25 1,100-10,000 (6 speeds) 105lbs
FlashCut CNC Mill 2000** 2925 9" (229mm) 7" 6.5" (165mm) 13"x2.75" (330x70mm) 30 ipm (x& y) 60° vee thread stepper^^ dovetail 0.002" 0.000125" 0.002"   4th optional n/a No. 1 Morse 0.5 70-2,800 45lbs
FlashCut CNC Mill 5400** 2695 9" (229mm) 5" (125mm) 6.5" (165mm) 13"x2.75" (330x70mm) 30 ipm (x& y) 60° vee thread stepper^^ dovetail 0.002" 0.000125" 0.002"   4th optional n/a No. 1 Morse 0.5 70-2,800 35lbs (15kg)
MAXNC Inc. 10 1395 8" 5" 6" 11.9"x4" 7 ipm   stepper^^ Al dovetail 0.002"   0.0002" 30lbs 4th optional n/a collet 0.1 3 speeds 37lbs
MAXNC Inc. 15 2595 10" 7" 9" 16"x4" 14 ipm   stepper^^ Al dovetail 0.002"   0.0002" 30lbs 4th optional n/a collet 0.2   47lbs
Sherline Products 8020** 2915 8.65" (220mm) 5" (127mm) 6.25" (159mm) 13"x2.75" (330x70mm) 25ipm 60° vee thread stepper   0.0036"/ft^       4th optional n/a No. 1 Morse 0.33 70-2,800  
Sherline Products 8540** 2695 8.65" (220mm) 5" (127mm) 6.25" (159mm) 13"x2.75" (330x70mm) 25ipm 60° vee thread stepper   0.0036"/ft^       4th optional n/a No. 1 Morse 0.33 70-2,800  
Alecop Armoni   (200mm) (200mm) (200mm) (450x180mm)                            
Boxford Limited 190VMCxi   8.9" (225mm) 5.9" (150mm)  5.5" (140mm)  16.1"x5.1" (410x130mm) 78 ipm (33.3mm/s) ball screw stepper     0.0004" (0.01mm)     4th optional 6 optional   0.6 (450W) DC 350-3,500 285lbs (130kg)
Boxford Limited Duet   5" (125mm) 3" (75mm) 10" (260mm) 7"x4.31" (180x110mm) 19.7 ipm (8.3mm/s)   stepper linear slides (sleeve-type)               0.43 (320W) DC 200-2,500  115lbs (52kg)
Boxford Limited MidiMill   11.8" (300mm) 7" (180mm) 9" (230mm) 17.7"x6" (450x153mm) 27.5 ipm (11.6mm/s)                     0.43 (320W) 200-4,000  
Charlyrobot SA 2U   23.6" (600mm) 16.5" (420mm) 11.02" (280mm) 24.6"x26.7" (625x680mm) 236 ipm (100mm/s) ball screw stepper^^ linear slides   0.0001" (0.003mm) 0.0007" (0.02mm)    4th optional optional collet 0.8 (600W) 8,000-24,000 374lbs (170kg)
Charlyrobot SA 4U   11.8" (310mm) 8.27" (220mm) 6.3" (160mm) 14.7" x 13" (375x330mm) 236 ipm (100mm/s) ball screw stepper^^ linear slides   0.0001" (0.003mm) 0.0007" (0.02mm)   4th optional n/a collet 0.8 (600W) 8,000-24,000 180lbs (81kg)
Datron Electronic CAT3D-M6   5.5" (140mm) 7.5" (190mm) 5.5" (140mm) 15"x6" (385x160mm) 78.7 ipm (33mm/s) ballscrew DC servo   +,- 0.00012"       n/a n/a   0.39 (290W) 7,000-60,000 840lbs(380kg)
Denford Micromill**   9" (229mm) 5.13" (130mm) 6.5" (165mm) 13.5"x2.75" (343x70mm) 20 ipm (x & y) 60° vee thread stepper dovetail 0.0036"/ft^       n/a n/a No. 1 Morse 0.5 0-3,000  
Denford Novamill   9" (225mm) 6" (150mm) 4.5" (115mm) 14"x5.13" (360x132mm) 60 ipm (x & y) ballscrew stepper   +,- 0.0005"/ft^ 0.0002" (0.005mm)   50lbs n/a 6 optional ISO 30 0.5 0-3,500 374lbs (170kg)
Forest Scientific Mitey Mill   8.75" 5" 6.25" 13"x2.75" (330x70mm)                            
Isel Automation ICP 2015   (200mm) (150mm) (90mm) (400x250mm) (60mm/s)   stepper                     (95kg)
Isel Automation ICP 4030   (400mm) (300mm) (140mm) (600x375mm) (60mm/s)   stepper                     (120kg)
Isel Automation ICV 4030   (400mm) (300mm) (110mm) (600x375mm) (80mm/s) ball screw DC servo                   *** (130kg)
Lab-Volt Systems, Inc 5600                             n/a R-8   0-3,400  
Light Machines                                      
Light Machines spectraLIGHT 0200  ~$5,000.00 8.5" (216mm) 4.5" (114mm) 5.5" (140mm) 13"x2.75" (330x70mm) 12 ipm   stepper       0.0005"   n/a n/a   0.33 DC 200-2,500 80lbs (36kg)
Manix MM-250 S3   (250mm) (100mm) (225mm) (350x145mm)                     BT20 (200W) 320-3,200 (86kg)
Mimaki NC-5   19" (483mm) 12" (305mm) 4.3" (60mm)                              
Minitech Mini-Mill/2 6500 10" (254mm)  5" (127mm)  7" (178mm)  12"x6" (300mmx150mm)  20.5 ipm (8.6mm/s)   stepper     0.0005"         No. 1 Morse 0.5 200-3,500 65lbs (30kg) 
MTAB XLMill   (200mm) (120mm) (115mm) (425x130mm)     stepper             6 optional ISO 30 0.5 (373W)     
Red/Cam Manufacturing SRM-9700   17" (430mm) 7" (200mm) 4" (100mm) 32"x9.5" (800x240mm)   ballscrew   iron dovetailx(X&Y)           n/a R-8 2 120-2,500 400lbs (90kg)
Rhino Robotics Ltd. RM/5**   7" 3" 6"   8 ipm 60° vee thread   dovetail 0.0036"/ft^ 0.0005"         No. 1 Morse 0.5 200-2,000 200lbs
Rhino Robotics Ltd. RM/6   12" 6.5" 8.5" 22"x7" 30 ipm ballscrew stepper(X&Y)     0.0005" (x&y)         R-8 0.5 DC 300-3,500# 500lbs
Sigea SA Visio F 3975 11.8" (300mm) 8.27" (210mm) 3.94" (100mm) 21.9"x27.9" (555x710mm) 236 ipm (100mm/s) ball screw stepper^^ linear slides   0.0005" (0.01mm) +,-0.01mm   4th optional n/a collet 0.8 (600W) 8,000-24,000 103 lbs (47kg)
Tech Ed Concepts Cutting Edge Mill** 7995 9.5" 5.13" 6.25" 2.75"x13" 35 ipm 60° vee thread stepper dovetail 0.0036"/ft^   0.001"     n/a collet 0.33 DC 70-2,800 175lbs
Techno Inc. DaVinci D1012 8995 10" (250mm) 12" (300mm) 5" (125mm)   150 ipm ball screw stepper linear slides   0.0004" (0.01mm) 0.0004" (0.01mm) 15lbs (6.8kg) 4th optional         85lbs
Techno Inc. DaVinci D1419   19.6" (500mm) 14.7" (375mm) 6.8" (175mm) 19.6"x24" 250 ipm ball screw servo linear slides   0.0001" 0.0004" (0.01mm)   4th optional         150lbs
TechSoft CamCut 300   11.8" (300mm) 7.87" (200mm) (90mm) (550x350mm) (16.7mm/s)                   collet (600W) ?-30,000 (65kgs)
TechSoft F2002   9.84" (250mm) 4.72" (120mm) 7.87" (200mm) (500x160mm) (16.7mm/s)   stepper     (0.01mm)         ISO 30 (700W) 0-3,000 (165kg)
CarveWrite 1899 Any 14.5 5                              
Alecop Odisea   (200mm) (200mm) (200mm)                              
Ameritech CNC Exact TT                                      
Denford Triac   11.5" (292mm) 7" (179mm) 9.25" (235mm) 19.5"x6.25" (495x159mm) 98 ipm (x & y) ballscrew stepper   +,- 0.0005"/ft^ 0.0002" (0.005mm)   100lbs (45kg) 4th optional optional ISO 30 1.5 100-4,000 528lbs (240kg)
Denford Triton   11.3" (288mm) 6.3" (160mm) 6.25" (159mm) 19.7"x6.2" (489x159mm) 35 ipm ballscrew stepper^^ linear slides             ISO 30 1.5 (1.1kW)  250-4,000 517 lbs (235kg)
MTAB StarMill   (160mm) (90mm) (115mm) (360x132mm)   ballscrew                 ISO 30 0.5   (170kg)
Paxton/Patterson HP Mill** 6595 9" (228mm)   6.5" (165mm) 13"x2.75" (330x70mm)   60° vee thread stepper dovetail               0.5    
ProMa GmbH  CNC-Compact II   (160mm) (160mm) (240mm)     ballscrew             5 standard         (55kg)
ProMa GmbH PPM   (300mm) (200mm) (200mm)     ballscrew     ±0.05mm   ±0.02mm   4&5 optional         (~45kg)
ProMa GmbH CNC-Multi DUO   (300mm) (440mm) (100mm) (665x335mm) (25mm/s) ballscrew                 collet (150W) 5,000-60,000  
AjaxCNC DM45  13499 18" (457mm) 9" (228mm) 13" (330mm) 32.5"x9.5" 120 ipm  ball screw servo iron dovetail +/- 0.001" (0.025mm) 0.0001" +/- 0.0004" (0.010mm) 350lbs 4th optional   BT30 1.5HP (1.12kW) 25-3,000# *** 1750lbs. (795Kg)
Align-Rite Tool  Elite 6 7850 6" 6" 6"   100 ipm (x&y)  ball screw  stepper        0.0005"    4th optional n/a  collet  0.33 0-25,000*** 60lbs 
Align-Rite Tool  Wolverine III 7450 14" 7" 7"     acme screw stepper             n/a collet   6-speed 120 lbs
Ameritech CNC Exact JR. 24950 14" (355mm) 8" (203mm) 10" (254mm) 19.6"x8" 200 ipm ball screw servo linear slides 0.0002" 0.00005" 0.0001" 200lbs 4th optional 8 optional ISO 30 2 100-6,000*** ~1600lbs
APPLIED RESOLUTION TECHNOLOGIES - Adept                                      
BieMmePi Sistemi 23 ~$24,000.00 11.8" (300mm) 9.45" (240mm) 2.95" (75mm) 15" x 11.8" 274 ipm (116mm/s)   stepper   0.0004" 0.00001" 0.0002" 75lbs 4th optional 9 optional ISO 15 0.76 (570W) 750-24,000 400lbs (180 kg)
BieMmePi Sistemi 53   20.5" (500mm) 11.8" (300mm) 2.95" (75mm) 15" x 21" 274 ipm (116mm/s)   stepper   0.0004" 0.00001" 0.0002" 100lbs 4th optional 9 optional ISO 15 0.76 (570W) 750-24,000 510lbs (230 kg)
BieMmePi Sistemi 64   25.6" (650mm) 17.7" (500mm) 2.95" (75mm) 19.8" x 25.6" 274 ipm (116mm/s)   stepper   0.0004" 0.00001"  0.0002" 100lbs 4th optional 13 optional ISO 15 0.76 (570W) 750-24,000 610lbs (280 kg)
CMS ToolCrafter   (440mm) 17.5" (390mm) 15.5" (100mm) 4.0" 13" x 18.5"         0.0002"(0.005mm)  0.00004" (0.001mm)  0.0001" (0.0025mm)      10 optional ISO 20 2.0 (1.5 kW)  *** 1200 lbs (500kg)
Cyba Manufacturing Ltd. Desktop Replicator £55,000.00 4.92" (125mm) 4.92" (125mm) 4.92" (125mm) 150mm 4-jaw chuck 472 ipm (200mm/sec) ballscrew brushless servo linear rails       22lbs (10kg) 6-axis std 4 optional ISO 15 2.95 (2.2kW) ?-40,000 (150kg)
Dyna Mechtronics DM1007 31500 10" (254mm) 7" (178mm) 10" (254mm) 17.7"x7" (450x180mm) 160 ipm (67mm/s) ballscrew servo   +,-0.0002" 0.001mm +,-0.0001" 132lbs (60kg) 4th optional 6 standard BT-30 2.0 (1.49kW) 0-7,000# 1210lbs (550kg)
Emco Maier Concept Mill 105   7.87" (200mm) 5.91" (150mm) 9.84" (250mm) 16.5"x4.92" (420x125mm) 138 ipm (58.3mm/s) ballscrew stepper     0.00012" (0.003mm)   22lbs (10kg)    10 standard SK 30 1.48 (1.1kW) 150-5,000 881lbs (400kg)
Emco Maier Concept Mill 55 15900 7.5" (190mm) 5.5" (140mm) 10.2" (260mm) 16.5"x4.9" (420x125mm) 78 ipm   stepper     0.00002"   22lbs (10kg)   8 standard SK 30 1.0 AC 100-3,500 360lbs (160kg)
Feedback Instruments Ltd. Cyber Mill   7.87" (200mm) 3.94" (100mm) 2.95" (75mm)   (8mm/s)                     (140W) 0-4,500 (9 speeds)  
FlashCut CNC 7200 18995 11.5" 7.5" 5"     ballscrew servo           4th optional         187lbs
FlashCut CNC 9100 8995 17" 7" 3.5" 8.25" x 28.5"   ballscrew (X&Y) stepper^^               R-8 2 110-3,000 600lbs
FlexiCAM Viper 1008   32" (800mm) 40" (1000mm) 11" (280mm)   1370 ipm (580mm/s) (X&Y) ball screw (X&Y) AC servo linear slides   0.00004" +,- 0.002" (0.05mm)     10 standard     ***  
FlexiCAM Viper 1209   36" (900mm) 48" (1200mm) 11" (280mm)   1370 ipm (580mm/s) (X&Y) ball screw (X&Y) AC servo linear slides   0.00004" +,- 0.002" (0.05mm)     10 standard     ***  
FlexiCAM Viper 605   20" (500mm) 24" (600mm) 11" (280mm)   1370 ipm (580mm/s) (X&Y) ball screw (X&Y) AC servo linear slides   0.00004" +,- 0.002" (0.05mm)     10 standard     ***  
Folken CNC M3400E 19950 9" 6" 9"   100 ipm ball screw servo iron dovetail   0.000025" 0.0001"   4th optional n/a collet (210W) 2,000-40,000***  
Forest Scientific 593   9" 5" 3.5" 20"x6.25"                     R-8 1 110-2580 (12 speeds)  
Hercus Novat PC300 ~$26,000.00 12" (300mm) 6.75" (170mm) 8.75" (285mm) 20"x6.5" (510x165mm) 40 ipm ball screw DC servo iron dovetail 0.001" 0.0004"     4th optional 8 optional ISO 30 0.5 DC 0-3,500 550lbs
Hercus VMC300   12.5" (315mm) 5" (125mm) 7.25" (185mm) 23.6"x6" (600x150mm) 50 ipm (21.6mm/s) ball screw servo iron dovetail         4th optional n/a R-8 0.5 (380W) 0-3,500 360lbs (163kg)
Jeou Yang Machinery Poshtech JM200   (200mm) (160mm) (120mm) (210x190mm)     servo linear slides       (20kg) 4th optional 6 optional ER20 1.34 (1.0kW) 24,000*** 440lbs (200kg)
Kern Micro-und MMT   6.39" (160mm) 3.94" (100mm) 7.87" (200mm) 13.8"x9.06" (350x230mm)         ±0.001 mm 0.0000039" (0.0001mm) ±0.0025 mm (30kg) 4th & 5th optional  12 optional HSK 25      
Knuth PicoMill 15480 11.8" (300mm) 6.3" (160mm)   17.7"x6.3" (450x160mm)       dovetail           4 No. 3 Morse 1.0 (1kW)   330lbs (150kg)
Lab-Volt Systems, Inc 5750 ~$15,000.00 10" (254mm) 10" (254mm) 5" (127mm) 10"x10" (254x254mm) 20ipm   stepper             n/a R-8 0.75 DC (745W) 0-3,400  
Levil LV300D 8500 12" (300mm) 10" (250mm)  8" (200mm)  10"x13" (250x325mm) 160ipm ball screw servo linear slides ±0.001" (+/-0.02mm) 0.0001" (0.001mm) 0.001" (0.02mm) 220 lb (100kgs) 4th optional 8 optional ER-16 collet 0.33 ?-10,000*** 158 lb (72 Kgs)
Light Machines Benchman MX ~$30,000.00 12" (304mm) or 18" (457mm) 7" (178mm) 9.5" (241mm) 19.5"x6.25" (495x158mm) 200 ipm (84.6mm/s) ball screw DC servo linear slides +,- 0.0002" 0.00002" +,- 0.0001" 150lbs (68kg) 4th optional 4, 5, 16 or 20 optional ISO 10 2.0 AC servo 0-5,000*** 400lbs (181kg)
Light Machines eXpertMill VMC-0600   12" (304mm) 6" (152mm) 9.5" (241mm) 17" x 5" (436x127mm) 100 ipm ball screw stepper linear slides     0.0005" (0.0127mm)   4th optional 4/12 optional ISO 20 1.0 (746W) 0-3,000 250lbs (115kg)
Light Machines proLIGHT 1000   12" (305mm) 6" (152mm) 9" (229mm) 19.5"x6.25" (495x158mm) 25 ipm ball screw stepper linear slides 0.002"/foot^ 0.00025" (0.00635mm) 0.0005" (0.0127mm) 100 lbs (45kg)   4 optional R-8 1.0 (746W) 0-5,000 365lbs (166kg)
mho Corp. MillRight Series 12 29900 12" 12" 6" 15"x12"   ball screw DC servo             n/a   3 0-18,000***  
mho Corp. MillRight Series 18 32500 18" 18" 12" 18"x18" 300 ipm ball screw DC servo   +,- 0.001" 0.0001" +,- 0.0001"   4th optional optional   3 0-18,000*** 660lbs (300kg)
MicroTurning 22,000 +                                    
Mimaki ME-500   19" (483mm) 12" (305mm) 2.4" (60mm)   120 ipm (50mm/s)       0.1mm/300mm^   (0.05mm) 44lbs (20kg)         7,000-14,000 177lbs (80kg) 
Minitech Mini-Mill/1 4500 5" 5" 5.5" 12"x4" 55 ipm   stepper     0.00002" (0.0005mm)     4th optional       5,000-20,000***  
Minitech Mini-Mill/3 9500 12" (300mm)  9" (228mm)  9" (228mm)  14.5"x6" (355x152mm)  50 ipm    stepper linear slides 0.0005" 0.000025"           0.5 200-3,500 85lbs (40kg) 
Minitech Mini-Mill/3Pro 14000 12" (300mm) 9" (200mm) 9" (200mm) 14"x6" (355x133mm)  50 ipm  ballscrew stepper linear slides   0.00025"     4&5 optional   collet   2,000-25,000 100lbs (45kg) 
Minitech Mini-Mill/4 25900 24" (600mm)  10" (240mm)  10" (240mm) 30"x6" (1500x760mm)    ballscrew servo linear slides   0.0001"     4th optional 6/12 optional collet   5,000-50,000 175lbs
Roland DGA MDX-40 10995 12" (305mm) 12" (305mm) 4.12" (105mm) 12"x12" (305x305mm) 114 ipm (50mm/s) (X & Y) n/a belt driven stepper linear slides   0.0001" (0.002mm)   8.8lbs (4kg) 4th standard   collet (100W) DC 4,500-15,000 146lbs (66kg)