which CNC controller is the most capable? Heidenhein/siemens/fanuc ?
It would be interesting a video on Titans of CNC Channel on this topic.
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I like the Hurco myself. But own Sony and Centroid because it fit the budget at the time.
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Hurco is a great controller and state of the art. I’m a Haas then Mazak guy hands down Hurco has made a jump in my list.
Out of the 3 I would say Fanuc would be what most people will say because it is most widely used in machining centers.
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I have an old fanuc but it is quite limited. The retrofit was way too expensive ( and I am not talking about the latest controller) and I kinda decided i must make a change with my machine. Need a budget used machine with a controller with high speed machining or at least to be able to do a smooth toolpath for mould making
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Have you looked at the acorn CNC if you’re a do-it-yourselfer I think they’re priced around $500. Depending on what part you need.
https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_diy/acorn_cnc_controller.html
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Hy, FANUC is the World Largest CNC Controller Manufaktur with the best Service in the world !!!
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Now that I’m used to my Okuma OSP300 I have to say, it’s fantastic!
Pathpilot is great, but simple. Haas is also very user friendly. Fanuc is not intuitive IMO. I think if you’re doing 5 axis work, Heidenhein is hard to beat. Siemens is great for Mill turns and multitasking machines. There’s a lot of opinions and I don’t think there’s a perfect answer here. There are a lot of very capable controls out there. The motion control of my Okuma is unlike anything else I’ve seen under $250K (3axis market). Depends on what you need, and the work you do.
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We have Heidenhain, Fanuc and Haas, I have to say that Heidenhain is by fare the most capable on older machines 10 years or older. Fanuc runs smoother then Haas, but Haas interface is nicer. I don’t have experience with Siemens, but from a development point of view, they seem to be the ones pushing the limits for now. (punch tap from Emuge)
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I have an older desktop 5 axis Mach5 machine. It has an old PC based 4 axis, floppy drive PC. You have to switch the A and B axis cable to use the rotary or Trunnion. I have been intrigued with the Masso controller. Has anybody used a Masso box. https://masso.com.au/
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Continuing the discussion from CNC controllers:
Hi,Claudio
i think at the moment the Heidenhain 640 is a little in advance ,talking about 5 axes machines.
for your request of smooth toolpah , and a “near mirror finish” was a hermle whit a granite basement.
have a nice day
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I have a Masso on my cnc router and irs easy to hook up and use. I also have a Acorn cnc controller on my milling machine and that is very capable also !
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I prefer Centroid - it’s very similar to Fanuc, but much easier to learn and user friendly, especially when training new employees…or teaching our “old dogs new tricks” 
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