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1996 Hurco BMC30

Warforged

Active member
Joined
May 30, 2022
Member Number
5233
Messages
40
Figured I would document my journey and share it with you guys.
This is a 1996 Hurco BMC30. It has an 8000 rpm spindle, 15hp with low hours. It also has DXF transfer, Rigid Tap, Ultinet, RS232 and ethernet port, also have all software and manuals for the machine.
The machine is about 6'D (w/ control box) x 7.5'W x 7'H. It weighs a bit over 10k

I drove from Florida to North Carolina and back to pick this up. It was not a fun drive. The Chevy 5500 series is like driving a wagon with square wheels.
I got pulled into every weigh station the entire drive. I don't know how the truckers do it.. Every time you feel like you are making ground you get yanked over.

Pics of the load.
Chained it down. Loaded the chip tray on the back. I had to remove the bed sides and strap them to the front. The sound of them rattling behind my head the entire drive was numbing.

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Some miscellaneous pics.
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Anyone ever work with the Ultimax software?

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This control cabinet is spotless!!
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The machine is really clean.
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I'm currently building a new shop on my property so updates will be slow. I may tinker with it and buy some tooling while the shop gets finished.
I would love to know if any of you have any experience with a machine like this. Input welcome good or bad.
Also any recommendations on work holding would be nice.
 
So how the fuck do you unload a machine like that that's got a bunch of fragile sheet-metal where your slings and stuff want to go? Do they give you a lifting point?
 
arse_sidewards said:
So how the fuck do you unload a machine like that that's got a bunch of fragile sheet-metal where your slings and stuff want to go? Do they give you a lifting point?
Click to expand...
Stick forks under the main casting and lift.
 
Anything that zero returns the table to anywhere other than the front of the machine is lame.
 
I will get it up and running and check it out. My needs are not crazy. If I don't like the controller I will just retrofit a new one.
I helped a buddy retrofit an old beat up Fadal with a NXGEN. Took 3 weekends but it wasn't hard.
 
bdkw1 said:
Anything that zero returns the table to anywhere other than the front of the machine is lame.
Click to expand...
Wouldn't that be in your programming? I would think that could be changed.

Here's what I do know. This machine was exclusively cutting aluminum molds. When they cut some demo's for me they were flawless.
If I can reproduce finishes like I witnessed I will be more than happy. Having the ability to CNC machine my own parts.. That's my dream.
The programming is not an issue nor is the designing. I design in Solidworks, Inventor and Solid Edge.

Keep in mind. This machine was paid for by me. Not a company. I bought what I could afford. I see this more and more on forums.
People posting about these awesome $100k, $200k or more machines as if they are theirs but, in reality, the machine belongs to a company they work for.
Don't get me wrong, I would love to have access to a Haas, Matsuura, Mori Seiki or a Datron. It's just not in my wheelhouse. Not at my pay.. lol
Who knows, some of you guys here do own companies and have killer machines so more power to you! 👍
I'm just a working stiff who likes to fabricate on the side. I have a couple of product that keep me busy. Mostly chassis, rollcages and housings.
I have a very modest shop that I've been working on for 30 years and everything in it is paid for in full. All work is performed after my day job.
 
What are you using for Cam software? did you get a Post file for the machine and you software?

I run a 2003 Fadal 4020, the older machines aren't as fancy but they still work. Part availability is the big thing to watch for with older machines. We had a big beast of a Traub lathe. 40hp at the spindle and very fancy for its time from the 90's.

Worked ok, but I spent 1/2 my time chasing wiring and card gremlins. Worked fine one day and not the next. drove me crazy
 
I have SolidWorks with the MasterCAM add on. When the machine was performing the demo the guy was using straight up MasterCAM.
He gave me the laptop he was using with MasterCAM installed on it. Its a bit old. I have a nice laptop I use loaded with BIM software like Revit.
I called Hurco and talked to a tech. He told me to download the Post for my version of SolidWorks/MasterCAM here. http://hurcousa.com/download.php
I have not tried anything with the SolidWorks/MasterCAM Post yet. Files are currently loaded through the RS232 and ethernet port.
From what I understand there's like a local FTP on the laptop that communicates with the controller.

The monitors have been upgraded and I bought a new track ball HURCO Trackball / Joystick 416-252-002 | eBay
I haven't replaced the old one yet. I just noticed it was "glitchy" when the guy was using it.
 
My Fadal has a rs232, basically had to use a computer card with an oldschool printer port to talk to it with the correct cable, for the Fadals I was able to get an aftermarket USB adapter setup that lets me load from a USB, or run right off the usb if the program is to big for the machine to upload.



Looks like they sell other ones as well. Very handy and worthy upgrade to our machine.
 
Hard to beat a Curt vice with a selection of parallels and jaws for workholding. Anything that won't fit in one for a hobbyist who's making custom stuff just build a jig with t-nuts/bolts to hold it how you want (though you probably already know that).
 
Warforged said:
Wouldn't that be in your programming? I would think that could be changed.

Here's what I do know. This machine was exclusively cutting aluminum molds. When they cut some demo's for me they were flawless.
If I can reproduce finishes like I witnessed I will be more than happy. Having the ability to CNC machine my own parts.. That's my dream.
The programming is not an issue nor is the designing. I design in Solidworks, Inventor and Solid Edge.

Keep in mind. This machine was paid for by me. Not a company. I bought what I could afford. I see this more and more on forums.
People posting about these awesome $100k, $200k or more machines as if they are theirs but, in reality, the machine belongs to a company they work for.
Don't get me wrong, I would love to have access to a Haas, Matsuura, Mori Seiki or a Datron. It's just not in my wheelhouse. Not at my pay.. lol
Who knows, some of you guys here do own companies and have killer machines so more power to you! 👍
I'm just a working stiff who likes to fabricate on the side. I have a couple of product that keep me busy. Mostly chassis, rollcages and housings.
I have a very modest shop that I've been working on for 30 years and everything in it is paid for in full. All work is performed after my day job.
Click to expand...
Pakistani Truck

We all want the latest, greatest hardware to build with. Unfortunately, it's unobtanium for most of us. Gets many people discouraged to do something themselves. I linked the above YouTube channel as an example of getting it done with less-than-ideal equipment and circumstances. Anyone who wants to know what a can-do attitude can get done with minimal equipment, just watch the videos of them rebuilding truck batteries, turning flywheels, and welding and turning crankshafts for you to be inspired to do some work yourself:idea:
 
No, it's not in the programming. Any fanuc based machine, G00 G28 G91 YO will return the table to the front which is where the limit switch is. Even lamer are machines without limit switches. God help you if you don't home the table before you turn it off. Then your leaning in the machine trying to line up the pointers so you can origin the POS.

We have a hurco at work that mostly sits there because no one wants to work on it.

My garage.
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It's 22 years old, but it still works like it should.
 
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