Category Archives: News

Haas Super Mini Mill

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CNC Training Centre Reviews

30 five star ratings on Google (just saying)

I’ve wanted to get my hands on a new Haas machine for a while. Really wanted to see what the new control was like.

Haas Mini Mill

Stiltz provided the machine and the victims for the training.

If you have read any of my articles you will know I have always had an affection for Haas machines. The first one I ever worked on being about 1994. At that time they were nothing short of ground breaking innovation.

Things like a built in airline and coolant wash-hose were not only innovative but really useful.

Coolant Hose (What Will You Do With This)

A machine that worked straight out of the box. Easy peasy tool-change. Handwheel to scroll through the program, people still get impressed by this today.

Programmable coolant nozzles, fuckin hell that was a game changer. Just move nozzle to a position and press an F key and it’s stored with the offset.

Macro at no extra cost (wow) some people wanted two grand for this (cost of a good family car in 1995)

Program restart still the best in the world, don’t get me started.

The New Machine David How Was It?

To start with on this one I didn’t like the interface but it does grow on you. You need to get used to using the touch screen. Access to some menus is a bit convoluted too.

This Haas Mini Mill has a 10k spindle and 30 tools.

Something I suddenly remembered about this model. Well you know when you get a cup of coffee and it’s in a tall tapered glass mug? You are thinking “nice big cup of coffee”. You take four big swigs n it’s gone, shit what happened. What happened is an optical illusion because the cup is tapered it’s actual capacity is that of a thimble.

It happens all the time everything comes in a great big box with loads of packaging and the actual item is minute.

Anyway try moving this machine to the end of it’s stroke in X. Fuckin hell what a disappointment I recon you can only move around about half the table. I mean great you can put a pretty big part on here. That’s great so long as you don’t want to machine it!!!

It definitely is not what you expect from the company that’s known for pragmatism. Anyway that does piss me off.

The way this machine is being used is running programs from a memory stick. At first I thought it was a bit crazy as the programs weren’t particularly big.

Anyway surprise surprise it works well. Just plug in and press load and it runs. But what about editing you ask. No problem you just do it. Same as normal.

Program restart, no problem works exactly the same as when running from memory.

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Onsite Training Retro CNC Boko In Scotland

CNC Training Call David: 07834 858 407

CNC Training Centre Reviews

Onsite Training In Scotland

I was recently allowed into Scotland. My visit was to Abacus Valves in Glasgow, onsite training on a Boko with a retro fitted Heidenhain control.

It is rare for me to get repeat business but this just proves there is one customer out there who actually likes me. No law suites, no fights on the car park and no refund issued.

For those who don’t get the irony in my articles and might be getting a bit nervous right now, here are my ratings on google

I got the pleasure of working on this machine.

Onsite training with no manuals at all except for a generic Heidenhain 426 manual. The company that built this thing, well retro fitted the CNC bit, went out of business when to be sick meant to evacuate the contents of ones stomach and “Jim’ll Fix It” was a popular children’s TV show.

Onsite Training

Programming it with Heidenhain is no problem. Minor details like switching it on or moving it around would be a bit like driving a Sherman tank blindfold with your scrotum sack cable tied to the steering wheel. (Do tanks have steering wheels??)

It’s a Boko vertical machine that has a retro Heidenhain 426 CB control.

It’s used to make large valve bodies like this. To be honest I can’t remember when I had so much fun and kept my clothes on. Please don’t dwell too much on that thought, this is a septuagenarian speaking.

Onsite Training

These guys were an absolute pleasure to work with constantly making me cups of coffee and offering tasty snacks like this.

Children be warned “do not take pies from strange men especially this one”

I’ve got to watch what I say here cos these guys constantly take the piss out of not just one another, but include me. The first day of training everyone is always on their best behaviour. By the third day one of us, often me manages to lower the tone and the banta begins.

I think the above treat is some kind of Glaswegian delicacy (and there a many)

It’s actually a pie between two haves of a bread batch, mmmm.

I didn’t eat one to be honest but only because at the moment I’m on a strict diet, I’ll spare you the details. I recon one bite of this beast would constitute the average male calorie intake for a year.

Anyway it’s lovely to be offered, last time it was tattie scones

and these really are nice.

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Unlocking Your Potential: Onsite Hurco Machining Centre Training

For companies looking to get the most out of their machinery investment, Hurco machining centre training is crucial.
Older machines are catered for too, with over 30 years of experience it’s no big deal.

Call David: 07834 858 407

Hurco machining centre training
While offsite courses are available, opting for onsite training at your company’s premises offers specific and significant advantages.
This approach allows for a customised curriculum delivered in your own manufacturing environment, leading to a more efficient and effective learning process.
Why choose onsite Hurco training with CNC Training Centre?
CNC Training Centre Reviews
30 five star ratings on Google (just saying)
1. Tailored to your specific needs
Onsite training is not a one-size-fits-all program. With 30 years experience we can assess your team’s skill level and your shop’s particular applications to create a custom curriculum. This might include:
  • Targeted conversational programming: Hurco invented conversational programming, which makes it easier to go from design to finished part. A trainer can focus on the conversational blocks and features most relevant to your specific products.
  • G-code and CAM integration: For shops that blend conversational and G-code programming, onsite training can address the intricacies of integrating existing CAM software and NC programs with the Hurco WinMax control.
  • Advanced techniques: If you have existing Hurco users, training can focus on more advanced subjects like 5-axis conversational programming, solid model import, or probing routines.

Hurco machining centre training

2. Learn on your own equipment
An onsite program means your team trains on the very machines they use every day, including your specific VMX series or other models. This eliminates the need for familiarisation time after the course is over and ensures that operators understand the full capabilities and limitations of their own equipment.
3. Minimal disruption and travel costs
Sending multiple employees offsite for training can be costly and disruptive. Onsite training eliminates travel, and hotel cost. The training schedule can be more flexible, allowing you to minimise the impact on your production schedule.
4. Promotes teamwork and efficiency
Training as a team encourages collaboration and creates a consistent knowledge base across your staff. Everyone learns the same best practices and gains a shared understanding of how to maximise your Hurco’s potential. This enhanced team cohesion leads to more streamlined processes and greater overall productivity.
5. Immediate application and feedback
Because the training happens on your own shop floor, trainees can apply what they learn immediately to real-world tasks. The instructor can use your specific parts and applications as examples, and the immediate context ensures a higher retention of information. This also allows for on-the-spot troubleshooting and questions related to your unique challenges.
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Hurco Tool Changer How To Change and Load Tools

Hurco Tool Changer

The Hurco tool changer is a strange old beast but trust me you will get to love and respect it as time goes on.

Hurco Training

Call David: 07834 858 407

First of all you can call the tool anything you like, well sort of as long as it’s a number.

Anyway I’m confusing myself here, you give it a number from 1 to 999

You then decide if it is AUTO or MANUAL. The control will then decide what to do with it.

To define a tool go to Tool Setup Screen type in a new number for your new tool.

Hurco Tool Changer

As you go to each dropdown menu the option will appear on the right as well.

Now pick your tool, fill in diameter of the tool. Select which coolant type you want PRIMARY is usually the main nozzle supply and SECONDARY is through spindle.

Hurco Tool Changer

Hurco Tool Changer

This is where your Hurco starts to get smart, it can calculate your speed based on the SURFACE SPEED you give it. I will also calculate the feed rate based on the number of teeth you have and FEED/REV you give it.

Don’t worry it still works if you wear dentures.

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Hurco Import Tools How To Guide

Category : Hurco News

Hurco Import Tools, in a previous article I did say how much I love Hurco Machines  I then added a small caveat and a rant.

Anyway here is another.

Hurco Import Tools

Now if you know a better way of doing this please tell me “we are all in this together” as our government once said as they were about to simultaneously fuck us over and rinse our bank accounts.

I need to re-home this beetle as we are moving house.

CNC Training Centre Reviews
30 five star ratings on Google (just saying)

Hurco Import Tools

The problem is that when you start a new program it does not have any tools. It’s easy to get your Calvin Klein thong completely twisted on this one.

Sorry but writing these articles just doesn’t pay the bills

What can happen is you can get completely mixed up over what tools are in your machine and what tools your program needs.

Hurco Import Tools to the rescue, I have found the simplest way to sort this out is to have a template program with every tool you ever use or need. You can then import the tools from this program into the one you just started.

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Call David: 07834 858 407