Although some people may see used machining centres as a less advisable choice of machinery, the truth is that, if the purchase is made wisely, they can be extremely useful.
Their main advantage is that they can be very cost-effective. When a company invests in used machines, it can avoid the expense of buying new machining centres without sacrificing aspects such as machine quality or range of functions.
Key points when investing in used machining centres
However, while buying a used machining centre can be a good investment, it is not a purchase to be made without prior analysis. In fact, for this kind of investment to succeed, it is essential to evaluate the machining centres you intend to buy very carefully.
To make sure the machine will meet the needs of the company or user, we recommend considering the following points:
Type of machining centre
The type of machining centre you choose directly determines the operations it can perform. You need to define the kind of parts to be machined in order to decide which types of machining centre can deliver the most effective results.
Machining centres can be vertical or horizontal. On vertical models, machining is carried out with the spindle head in a vertical position. Horizontal machining centres, by contrast, have a spindle head oriented horizontally.
Brand
Investing in well-known brands with a long track record always offers greater reliability. If you invest in a machining centre from a recognised brand such as DMG, Takumi, Lagun, Pinnacle or Ibarmia the machine is more likely to deliver the durability you expect.
Moreover, since used machining centres can save you up to 50%, it is not advisable to compromise on the brand of the machine you are investing in.
Features
Features are one of the most important aspects to consider before buying a used machining centre. To determine whether the features match the company's needs, it is essential to define from the outset how the machine is going to be used.
Depending on the operations planned, you can assess which requirements are most important and which are secondary. For example, if you want to machine a large number of parts, it is important to invest in a CNC machining centre with fast rapid traverse, so that many parts can be machined at high speed and in a short time.
On the other hand, if the parts do not require very high precision, numerical control may not be a priority. Likewise, if the machine is going to be used over a long period, it is advisable to invest in machining centres with through-spindle coolant.
You should also consider how many operators will be available. CNC machining centres automate much of the process, so they may require fewer operators, which makes them very useful for companies that want to work with a small team.
Price
A fair price means that the price-quality ratio is as good as possible. Among the factors with the greatest influence on price are the industry in which the machine can be used, its size, its purpose, its condition and the functions it includes, among others.
The more closely the machining centre matches the company's needs, the more likely it is that the price-quality ratio will be right. For example, costs can be saved by buying machines that lack functions you will not need, or that are no larger than necessary.
Service life
The service life of a used machining centre can vary considerably. It is one of the most important aspects to consider before buying, as there is no point investing in a machine whose service life will not offset the cost of the investment.
With this in mind, it is advisable to buy machining centres that come with some kind of warranty. The exception may be when the machines only need to be used for a short time. In fact, when the machinery is not intended for very long-term use, investing in a machining centre that promises a very long service life is not recommended (as this would normally mean an unnecessary extra cost in that situation).