Lathe siemens Vs Fanuc

[Anonymous]

Hello guys, I will be buying new lathe for our shop I'm new to cnc lathe. And I would like to know from the experienced user around here what the best controller I can use with fusion 360 without issue on post processor point or any other for future point of view. 

the option we can use with our machine: 

_ siemens 808DA 

- Fanuc oi TF5

Thanks, 

[Steinwerks]

Fanuc is pretty well established, but there shouldn't be issues with either of those controls once you have the post set up as you want it.

More importantly perhaps, what is the level of complexity of the lathe? Is this a mill-turn machine with a Y-axis, a simple 2-axis with stationary tools, or an in-between with an interpolated C and live tooling capabilities? All can be set up, but will require varying degrees of fine tuning.

[Anonymous]

it will be mostly for Rings and other small parts, as for the lathe it will be 2 axis with turret and gang tooling and tail stock. 

[Steinwerks]

That definitely sounds interesting, and I would suspect will require some decent post processor modification to work as desired with both the turret and gang tooling. There are already currently a few issues with cutting on the negative X side of the spindle so I don't know if that is a factor for you or not. What are the machines you're looking at?

You could also post your use-case to the HSM Post Processor subforum to see if anyone who frequents there has any insight as well (they are the same post for all iterations of HSM): https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/hsm-post-processor-forum/bd-p/218

[Anonymous]

here is one of drawing for part will do a lot of, the sizes in mm. just to have in idea of type of work. 

sorry I don't really know what you mean by " cutting on the negative X side of the spindle " is it lag or something will get fixed. Thanks a lot 

[Steinwerks]

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@Anonymous wrote:

sorry I don't really know what you mean by " cutting on the negative X side of the spindle " is it lag or something will get fixed. Thanks a lot 

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Cutting on the negative X really has more to do with gang tooling than a turret machine since tools can be set up to do so easily, so that is my concern. I believe it's being worked on but I don't know of any timeline it follows with regards to working optimally.

That part would be a very simple affair though, and any post will do the job.

[Anonymous]

Yay the machine have flat bed if make any difference, have space for 2-4 gang tools and 8 station turret. have the option of live tool but I didn't maybe add them future if needed. the parts will be doing is very sample and small. I heard that faunc is more reliable but I will cost $3,500 more to the Siemens which It look like it easy to use form the videos. 

[Laurens-3DTechDraw]

Does the 808 come with shopturn?

That is easy to program on the machine.

The fanuc is simple but reliable indeed, it's not the nicest looking UI but it works.

Both depend on the MTB to work correctly though if they have a lot more experience with one I would really keep that in mind.

[Anonymous]

I think shopturn  it comes with 840d, as for experience i don't think they hard i just need to know the best for AutoCAD software to not go onto a lot of issues. as we will place the order next week I need to choose the right control to have in our shop and next machines we will get in future if all go well for us. 

[Laurens-3DTechDraw]

What are all your control options?

Siemens 808DA

Fanuc 0i -TF

Siemens 840D

What exact machine make and model are you talking about?

Because it really depends on what you want to do with.

Are the people using it trained CNC Operators?

Are you going to use Fusion 360 to program, or just make 2D AutoCAD drawings and program on the machine?

I mean you can use Fusion 360 to program. Not AutoCAD.

Fanuc is probably the best bet for running code made by Fusion 360. Siemens with ShopTurn is the best for programming on the machine.

Fanuc is harder to learn if you have no CNC experience, if people with no experience will be running the machine I would probably even suggest a Fagor control.(if Fagor is not possible then Siemens with ShopTurn)

For larger series, Fanuc is probably the fastest control, because you can control every motion where the others have their own mind on what is the way to program.

This is pretty hard to help without all of the details.

Your post processor probably needs a little customisation anyway. So with that in mind, there isn't much difference in the choice that way.

[Anonymous]

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@Laurens-3DTechDraw wrote:

What are all your control options?

Siemens 808DA

Fanuc 0i -TF

Siemens 840D

- yes it come standard with 808DA

What exact machine make and model are you talking about?

It from automate smithy model: FTL320 or FL 300.  

Because it really depends on what you want to do with.

Are the people using it trained CNC Operators?

it only on me and my  brother for start we have orders from clients of us that need some sample job, but I was hope something for the long turn as well. 

Are you going to use Fusion 360 to program, or just make 2D AutoCAD drawings and program on the machine?

I mean you can use Fusion 360 to program. Not AutoCAD.

yes I'm gone to program and design on fusion 360 and generate the g code using it. 

Fanuc is probably the best bet for running code made by Fusion 360. Siemens with ShopTurn is the best for programming on the machine.

Fanuc is harder to learn if you have no CNC experience, if people with no experience will be running the machine I would probably even suggest a Fagor control.(if Fagor is not possible then Siemens with ShopTurn)

For larger series, Fanuc is probably the fastest control, because you can control every motion where the others have their own mind on what is the way to program.

This is pretty hard to help without all of the details.

Your post processor probably needs a little customisation anyway. So with that in mind, there isn't much difference in the choice that way.

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[NGrimberg]

The Fanuc way of thinking is a way of life. Personally, everything on a fanuc to me is the long way around the barn. It would be easier if you mentioned a specific model Siemens controller, but my experience around them has been good. If it is a 2 axis lathe without live tools or any gimmicks, almost anything should work. Things will be different in certain areas, some you will like, some you will not. I have a lot of experience with milling machines on the Siemens acramatic 2100 (Cincinnati VMC's), and believe it to beat fanuc in ease of use. 

[Laurens-3DTechDraw]

@NGrimberg

He mentioned the specific models in this thread.

So you can have a look at what his exact options are.

[Anonymous]

I have not used that particular Fanuc, but the reliability of both is great. Siemens is the backend(hardware) for many controllers out there, especially  machines coming out of Germany. I would let who is going to be running it decide. If you have a shop full of Fanuc guys I would go that way, but if not, I would go Siemens for newer folks. We have a lot different controls at the day job and the Siemens beats them all hands down, in set up time, and ease of use.

[Laurens-3DTechDraw]

@Anonymous

I know of no Siemens hardware based controls other than Siemens any longer.

Heidenhain has their own stuff, so does Okuma, Mazatrol is Mitsubishi based.

So can you enlighten us on other controls that are Siemens based.

Siemens drives have had troubles in the past. That's where the bad reliability name originates from.

The (less than 5 years old)new systems I don't hear much about, which usually is a good thing.

I have to disagree on setup time. The Fanuc 0i-MC vs the Siemens 828D here in the shop. If you do external programming the Fanuc is faster to set-up, where I'm fluent in both so that's not the issue. But the Siemens is much much nicer to look at, UI wise. And like I said, easier to understand if you don't have much CNC experience, but most of the time not faster if you know what to do on the fanuc.

[Anonymous]

Older heidenheins,hurcos all have seimens hardware on the backside

[Anonymous]

I think will go with 808DA, I hope made the right choices. Thanks Guys for helping me out here