Emerging from the shop...

Sub-spindle 6-axis CNC Turn/Mill Center with 15 stationary & 11 live tools up to 50k rpm, parts catcher/conveyor

My unintentional hiatus from blogging has come to an end. I take delivery of an incredibly diverse, capable and potentially game-changing cnc lathe on Monday. This machine has the potential to produce trumpet components and mouthpieces almost 100 times faster than with a traditional machine while improving surface finish and accuracy by more than I could have ever imagined. And it finishes turned and milled parts (both ends) in one setup. That means it will produce a round turned part or a milled part or any combination of turned and milled in up to six axis simultaneously. For you non-machinists, this means I can produce a mouthpiece with almost any shape (not necessarily round) on the inside and outside, add artistic milling/engraving and create inlay pockets in one setup, making each mouthpiece more accurate than any other process in production from any manufacturer today. As far as I know, we will be the first to produce modular mouthpieces in such a versatile configuration on machinery designed to cut everything in one setup.

This means you, the customer, will now have the opportunity to use equipment of higher quality, accuracy and versatility for LESS MONEY. That's right, I'm not going the Monette route, charging extreme prices for entry-level products. My 5MM, Five-piece Modular Mouthpiece, System will be offered at $99 for the complete set for the entire first year of production. There will be numerous upgrade options priced according to complexity, but there will always be a wide array of inexpensive options available to everyone. Modular rims, cups, throats, backbores/shanks and outer sleeves will start at $20 regular price.

My goal has never been to produce the most expensive instruments. Price is always determined by the number of hours required to produce a component or instrument plus partial compensation for headaches, equipment, software costs and the, "blood, sweat and tears" factor. The new 5MM System pricing will start low simply to make this new solution attainable to everyone. Interested in the high end handmade custom art mouthpiece that will make you drool? Well, I'll produce those as well in very limited quantities.

Watch for photos and videos of the new lathe...