u/Glum_Extreme_9194

As discussed in other threads, here are some of my findings for the LY 4020 cnc ordered from Alibaba, I'm still setting up the machine, and will at some point convert it to a mesa card, which I already have laying around.

I took the standard package of the CNC, with a wireless pendant and the one shot oiler.

I ordered the machine without a spindle, but with a modified mounting face plate, since I already had a ISO30 ATC 4.5 KW spindle had laying around, that was to heavy for my gantry based CNC (6040) cnc router.

So far support has been great, in alibaba i did take the option for 3th party inspection before shipping, which checked if the machine was in good condition (they could not test full function as it had no spindle). The build quality is what I would say impressive, and the inside of the electronic enclosure looks clean and well routed. But yes the machine is a bit more DIY for me than might be for others, as I have to install my own spindle and VFD, but all provisions for it are inside the electronics enclosure. I do recommend if you are commiting to this machine, to also commit to an more powerfull spindle, as I think the machine is much better suited for a spindle like the one I installed than the much smaller / higher runout 2.2 kw typ of spindles.

I chose for the air cooled spindle, to not have to mess with water pumps and water cooling, as from previous experience I is just not for me. The enclosure has a 24v power supply inside, to feed the fan on the spindle, and the cable routing has enough room for additional cables, including the pneumatic air lines.

Attached is a video after some basic tramming of the mounted custom spindle, I'll start making some test cuts soon, but all in all it mechanically it is a really clean and well working machine thus far. So I expect my CAM skills to be the first bottleneck.

Some of the reasons why I personally opted for this machine:

1. I already had the quite expensive ATC spindle, for which I did not have a good home, and wanted a CNC mill with spindle only moving in Z as the spindle is really heavy so on a moving gantry there would be to much inertia.
2. I wanted a CNC that would run from the wall and not require any 400V power, cause I want to use it where ever I may go, and not be limited to an industrial place, this in my opinion also makes it more friendly for a prosumer market if I were ever to sell it.
3. off the shelf components and easily servicable by myself

Initially I was looking into heavy old cnc machines from industry, that would require retrofitting and all of them weighing in over 1.5 tons. These dinousaours are difficult to service, move and install, so that is why I in the end found this sweet deal.

They shipped it door to door, so i had nothing to do with any import etc.