Hi All,

We have an Omal Insert 1300 with CNC Z and Y with laser scanning. We bought it new almost a year ago. We use Cabinetvision, Omnitech nesting CNC and SCM K560 with premill upstream from the Omal. We build euro cases.

We are struggling with what seems to be random accuracy issues on my upper bottoms. When the assemblers start on the cabinet, the bottom is all over the show. Can be flush side to side and up to .75mm inset/proud at the back, or off corner to corner almost 0.5mm.

I've been dealing with the machinery tech in Canada who, after setting it up, leaving, and then returning 3 months later when we got loud enough, said "its a combination of factors and it is what it is" His take was that the CNC would be off 0.1mm, the premill off 0.1mm, the dowels off 0.1mm and the Omal itself 0.1mm and therefore this was pretty good. I struggle with this explanation as it is not random. It is ALWAYS the upper bottoms that are causing issues base cabs are perfect.

According to him (and another SCM tech) the machine is perfectly leveled. The zones are balanced and mirrored. Everything is cool. Base 24" cabinets go together perfectly. Just uppers with the premilled edge seem to be out to lunch. The gables are square before and after premilling. I checked the premill on the bander and it is running parallel.

The main question: Other Omal owners out there, Is this normal? If not the omal, does anyone have other suggestions with my process?

Any help would be much appreciated. I'm tearing my hair out here!

I don't have an Omal but have seen this problem.

My question is CL are of holes thickness / 2 or a fixed dimension?

If thickness / 2 do you calibrate the actual thickness and use the same dimension on the end/gable?

We do a lot of laminate cabinets and the wall bottom is laminate on core with backer so thickness can vary based on laminate thickness at time of order and brand, we drill at a fixed c/l, not thickness /2

Hi Alan,

Yes! Sorry I should have included that. We are using a fixed position of 8mm from the face of the machine table.

Over time we have been very pleased with a Omal for boring. Some things to watch.
Dull bits make it inaccurate.
Blow off the laser now and then it can be inaccurate if it can't "see".
Watch the edges of your parts if they are fuzzy it will be inaccurate. I think you have a fuzzy edge. On your cuts one part of the material is likely better than the other, meaning the right nead the face might be more consistent. Aim the laser there.

We do not get random problems.

You might also want to get John Park from SCM on the phone he is very knowledgeable.

What are your reference points?
Are you running the part with the outside face of bottom against table?
Are you sure parts are square?
Check your software, are you accounting for the material being pre-milled on side programs?
How are you using laser? We installed a new Omal this spring and have been very happy with it. We use the laser but only to determine how many dowels and what spacing on panel. critical edge always against stop, we never use a laser reading to drill a hole in a given location.
Also some salesmen tell you to drill off both front and back edge of panel for balanced drilling. Don't believe them always go off one edge and push any discrepancys to non critical area.

Awesome. Thanks guys! I'll look into all your suggestions and see where I end up. Thanks again!

I seem to almost always have to offset everything. Also, seems to not bore level when everything is ok.