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HOW-TO GUIDE: BUYING YOUR FIRST CNC MACHINE

Things to Think About . . .


ON YOUR MACHINE
 


IN YOUR SHOP

 


TOOLING BASICS/WORKHOLDING

 


WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING
 

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT ON YOUR MACHINE

POWER: All Haas machines operate on three-phase power, either low-voltage (220V) or high-voltage (400V or 440V). The machine may be built with either a low-voltage transformer or high-voltage transformer, but external step-up or step-down transformers can be used to match the machine to your shop’s power.

If you are installing multiple machines, or plan to have multiple machines in the future, make sure your shop has enough incoming power to support your plans. This is often overlooked when selecting a building for your machine shop.

You will need to have an electrician properly run power to the Haas machine prior to installation. This is necessary to ensure that all local codes are met, and that proper power is supplied to your Haas machine. Some of our smaller machines, such as Toolroom Mills, Toolroom Lathes, and standard Mini Mills, can operate on single-phase power, while other machines require three-phase power. Be sure to check how much power your machine requires.*

* See our installation guide for more information.

Installation guide

PROGRAMMING: Basic programming can be done directly on the Haas control. Since its inception, the Haas control has been designed for easy shop-floor programming. If you are looking for a more advanced programming system on the Haas control, check out our Visual Programming System. This uses a visual template-based system for both simple and more advanced programming. For more complex programming, and for 4th- and 5th-axis applications, you will need to find a desktop CAM system. Autodesk and Mastercam are the leaders in this software.

* See our installation guide for more information.

Installation guide

COOLANT: Coolant will become a big part of your machine shop operation. Supplying coolant, mixing coolant, checking coolant, and disposing of coolant will become a weekly part of running your shop. There are many types of coolant available, and your selection will be influenced by the types of materials you plan to cut, and by which products your local coolant supplier supports. The best first step is to check with your local Haas Factory Outlet. Many HFOs supply coolant, and they know which work best with Haas machines, and for most cutting applications. You’ll need a 5-gallon starter pail of concentrate to get your machine operational.*

 

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT IN YOUR SHOP

SPACE: Machine tools are big and heavy, and once in place, they aren’t easy to move around. A Machine Layout Drawing is available for all Haas machines, which includes all of the necessary exterior and interior dimensions of the machine. Use this to help lay out your shop and decide machine placement. The general rule of thumb is to make sure you have about 3 feet of space behind the machine, and at least 4 feet of space on all other sides. The space behind the machine is critical, so that the electrical cabinet can be opened fully. This is also the location for the incoming power. Your electrician will need to know this location to properly run the electrical supply to the machine. The location of the chip discharge will vary by machine. You definitely want to take this into consideration for machine placement.

Other things to consider for machine placement are the locations of the doorways into your shop. Most machine shops have large roll-up doors to the outside. Be careful where your machine is placed in relation to these doors, as they can allow large temperature swings in the shop. While the Haas machine has built-in thermal compensation to adjust for normal temperature effects, large thermal changes are not easily compensated for.

If your machine accommodates large workpieces, you’ll need to consider a location with additional space for loading material into and out of the machine. A lift device, such as the Haas Shop Lift or a fork lift, may be necessary to load and unload the machine.

Tip: Use tape marks on the floor to “see” how different machine locations and orientations will work in your shop.*

* See our installation guide for more information.

Installation guide

FOUNDATION: For the most part, standard industrial floors with 4" to 6" of properly reinforced concrete are sufficient for most Haas machines. A few larger (EC-1600) or faster (DT-1) machines may require anchoring, or a thicker foundation. Refer to the installation requirements for each machine for accurate details. If at all possible, the machine should be positioned on a single uninterrupted piece of concrete.*

* See our installation guide for more information.

Installation guide

WATER: If you are using coolant, you will need a water supply. Preferably, as close to the machine as you can get. Coolant is supplied as a concentrate, and then mixed with water. As the machine operates, some of that water evaporates, which changes the coolant concentration. A good refractometer will help you monitor and maintain the proper coolant concentration for optimal performance.

Maintaining coolant typically means adding water to the existing coolant in the tank, mixing it up, and then measuring the concentration. Another option is to install a Haas Automatic Coolant Refill System. This system automatically mixes a precise amount of coolant concentrate with water and dispenses it directly into your coolant tank. To make the most of this option, and simplify any coolant maintenance, there should be a water supply close to the machine.*

* See our installation guide for more information.

Installation guide

AIR: All Haas machines require compressed air to operate. Air is used for tool changes, turret clamping and unclamping, and other machine operations. The quality and quantity of air entering your machine are critical. The air must be clean and dry, and there must be sufficient volume and pressure for proper machine operation.

It is very important to have a high-quality air compressor for machine operation. A screw-style compressor with an air dryer is preferable, but a multi-stage piston-style compressor will work. While the Haas machine has a built-in system for removing water from the incoming air, the cleaner and dryer the air is before getting to the machine, the better off you will be. Of all your initial investments beyond the Haas machine, a high-quality air supply system is the most important. Avoid costly repair bills and premature failure of pneumatic components by ensuring clean, dry air is supplied to your machine.*

RAW MATERIAL: This will vary widely, depending on the parts you are making. For starters, establish a relationship with the material suppliers in your area. Your local HFO can recommend suppliers to work with. In addition, you will need a means to store your raw material, such as a material rack, and most likely, a means to cut your raw material, such as a horizontal band saw. Many suppliers will offer to cut your raw material for you for an additional fee, usually a charge per-cut. You can offset these fees over time by investing in a good horizontal band saw.

TOOLING BASICS/WORKHOLDING

WORKHOLDING: As with raw material, workholding will vary a great deal, depending on the parts you are machining. For a vertical machining center, you should at least have a 6" fixed-jaw vise, a few sets of soft jaws, a toe clamp kit, and some basic hand tools.

As your collection grows, you will want to consider different sized vises, and maybe even dual-station vises. For lathes, a collet chuck may be in order, if you find yourself consistently doing bar work.

Mill Workholding Kit

TOOLHOLDING: Again, this will vary, but here are the basic toolholders to consider for a mill: 1/2" and 1/4" end mill holders, keyless drill chucks, and ER32 collet chucks and a collet set. A full suite of toolholders would include multiple ER16, ER25, and ER32 collet chucks, along with the corresponding collet sets. Most collet sets come with the necessary wrenches. Pull studs will also be required. A tool-tightening fixture is included on most Haas mills, but a good bench-mounted version is also handy to have. Haas lathes come with a basic set of toolholders, but some ER collet chucks and straight shank collet holders will round out your starter tooling.

ER COLLET MASTER PACK

CUTTING TOOLS: Cutting tools also vary wildly, based on the work you are doing. For a mill and a lathe, a good selection of cobalt drills is a requirement. A set of taps will be needed, as well, as most parts typically have threaded features. For mills: a selection of end mills in 1/4", 1/2", and 3/4" are good; make sure to have a set for cutting steel and a set for cutting aluminum. For lathes: some OD turning tools, part-off tools, and a boring bar are a good starter selection.

1/4" End Mill
CT40 Shell Mill Kit

MEASURING TOOLS: For measuring parts, you will want a good 0-6" caliper, a steel machinist’s scale, and a set of micrometers for 0-1", 1"-2", and 2"-3". A good magnetic base with a dial test indicator is useful for setting up machines. And an edge finder is a necessity for a mill, unless you add Wireless Probing (WIPS) to your mill.

Haas Pocket Scale
Haas Tool Presetter
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING

CHIP BARREL: It’s good to have at least one barrel for dumping chips into. A 55-gallon chip barrel on wheels is great for Haas lathes with a chip conveyor, or a Haas mill with the chip lift option. Machines with only chip augers need a smaller bin to fit under the chip chute. Having a chip barrel of some sort will make cleaning out your machine infinitely easier.

CART: A cart for tools and for storing finished parts will help keep things organized. There is a variety of carts available, some specific for toolholders, some for parts, and some for a combination of the two. Even starting with a simple Rubbermaid cart will help you figure out the best way for things to flow in your shop.

TRAINING: Talk to your local HFO if you need training. They typically provide basic onsite training at machine installation, and offer more advanced training either onsite, or at the HFO. Our Haas Certification Program is another great resource.

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Our Most Popular Starter Machines

Haas ST-10

ST-10

CNC Lathe with 12" x 16" max capacity and 1.75" bar capacity

  • 6.5" Chuck Size
  • 1.75" Bar Capacity
  • 6k RPM
  • 15 hp Power
   
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VF-1

CNC Vertical Mill with 20" x 16" x 20" travels

  • 40 Taper
  • 3 Axis
  • 8.1k RPM
  • 20 Tool Capacity
   
Haas Mini Mill

Mini Mill

Mini CNC Vertical Mill with 16" x 14" x 15" travels

  • 40 Taper
  • 3 Axis
  • 8k RPM
  • 10 or 20 Tool Capacity
   

Video Resources


AFFORDABLE ENTRY MACHINE
 

 

MAKING A PART FROM START TO FINISH

 


IMPORTANT CODE TO KNOW

 


MONTHLY MAINTENANCE
 


ESSENTIAL READING FOR MACHINISTS

 


TOOLING ESSENTIALS

 

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