Hey there - long time no talk!

...but ive been reading many posts.


Here's the update, I have found a great product to provide and have my process down. I do require a CNC machine, but would like to just purchase one ready to go. Have any of you heard of this company? http://www.tigertec.us/6090.html
I am interested in the 6090 machine, but a few thousand more, I could go for one HUGE machine. But all of this seems sketch, I have never heard of them.

I have potential orders to run this machine 24/7 - so I need something that is good, yet I have to take out a loan for this, so the cost needs to be under the 12,000 mark. Any other suggestions?

please help!
-CG

If you don't need the big Y travel or the superfast spindle, microkinetics has a turnkey mill setup for a couple grand more. You supply a PC and the g-code, they supply everything else including the cam software.

This (http://www.microkinetics.com/cncdmill.htm) is the basic promo/spec page for it. No clue if it suits your needs, but it's a full system and I can attest to the quality of their stuff since I got my retrofit hardware from them.

Tiger

CG...that machine uses linear bearings....does not mention if they are supported or not....what are you planning on routing.....wood....? What sort of accuracies are you looking for....also what is the weight of the item you are going to route?

Do a search on this forum. There's a pretty in depth thread about this particular company. One guy even went to visit them at their showroom in Wisconsin.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14665&highlight=tigertec

Check these out also, I have installed these, software runs DXF,Corel, and others direct from a file. http://www.larkencnc.com/
Al.

thanks everyone --

Whitetiger - why go with that, when i can spend like 2 grand for a Taig? The Taig units seem to be the best for the money for prototypes. I am looking for a production machine that I can get the most X and Y out of and only need like 2-3" of Z

*shrug* it was just a suggestion for a maybe alternative. I was pretty sure everybody and their dog was going to be posting links for gantry units. Seemed reasonable to toss something else into the mix that runs on gibbed iron ways, just on the off chance it might be suitable ;)


Tiger

no...thanks a ton for the suggestion, im still in major learning mode. I just figured if you were going to go small, go taig. if you going large, well there are like 5000 variables.

Im just stressed out, i made the mistake of pre-selling my product and I have to meet these deadlines. That means I have to order, learn, and produce by the end of the summer. I just want to get something that will work without complaining to China for broken parts, but dosent cost me 10x over china due to our lovely american unions... :rolleyes:

Shish, I just wish there was www.best-deal-for-your-money-custom-CNC-deliver-in-2days.com

-CG

ClemsonGirl, if you are in a rush when implementing a new system you are asking for major problems no matter what system you get. Everything takes twice as long as you expect and that's putting it mildly.

I suggest that you immediately contact some local vendors for quotes on your parts. If you only break even on the first jobs if might be worth it to maintain your sanity and reputation. You can also pay attention as to how your vendor attacks the challenge and this will shorten your learning curve.

Be upfront with them as to your plans to take over production and you should be alright.

Nothing wrong with pre-selling your product. There are junk yards full of surplus product somebody developed before they found out there wasn't a market. Don't know anything about the TigerTec machine but if you look at the photo on their site "about us".... that ain't Wisconson in the background.

First, listen to what buscht has to say.

Now, we don't know what kind of parts your making, which can make a BIG difference in choice of machines, but you might want to look at a Shopbot. 600ipm cutting speeds and 1800ipm rapids, although you'd probably need to upgrade to one of the expensive spindles to take advantage of that cutting speed.

http://www.tormach.com/

thanks everyone!! i REALLY like the shopbot stuff, very much considering it. I am milling directly onto my special polymer blend that I have formed into bars, and is very very soft. Think ill have a problem milling onto something that is the same consistancy as bar soap??

Also...artCAM is how many thousands of dollars?!?! holy moly Think they have a student discount?

-CG

My name is Michael Smith,
I am new to CNC machine world. I have been given a project to find 20 CNC machine operators for the Dallas, Tx area. msmith@marquin.com

I thought that artcam looked really cool as well but I did manage to find 1 place that listed a price and it looked like $7500.00

CG...

I have a ShopBot and have been fairly happy with it - you could do a lot worse. There a some photos scattered about http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/interest.html that might be interesting to you.

To reduce time pressures, have you considered visiting the ShopBot Forum at http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/discus.cgi and checking for a ShopBotter in your area? You're likely to find someone close-by who can help with initial production and with setting up your own shop.

Hello

I am new to this forum and very much appreciate your initiative to seek advice.

I began cnc wood working three years ago and after much research settled for a Precix 9100. This was based upon price and ability. A servo for the price of a stepper. Check them out at Precix.com.

As for software I was shocked with Artcam's price but when I visited several cnc shops I began to realize that Artcan wasn't as good for multiple nestings - parts cutout. (Its great for relief carving)

Again price was a big factor but I bought Enroute Pro. I was not happy with the first version but they did work out some of the bugs and it is excellent for cutting multiple parts - nesting. The 3D is also capable when you get use to the glitches (they may have them worked out now as well). I use other programs with it such as ACAD, Corel Draw etc.

Hope this helps

With Artcam tipping the scales at $7500.00 I found a great solution in Vcarve Wizard for $495.00. Excellent results with minimal effort allows those in the occupation or hobby of cnc routing to get that cash flow up and running. :cheers:

www.vectric.com

Jason