Which one to BUY???

[TerraWombat]

Originally Posted by Metal-Mass Yeah I have heard about MACH3, so I want a software that the kids can look at and edit the G-code. Is there one that offers a close to an industry feel that will operate on the tables I mentioned at the beginning of my post? When I learned G-code I used Word Pad and then uploaded the text to the CNC and ran a simulation. Talk about a walk AROUND.

Don't be afraid to download MACH3 and try it out for yourself a bit. You can at least take a look around and see what it's all about. Free to try, but limited to a certain number of lines of G-Code if you actually want to cut with it.

http://www.machsupport.com/downloads.php

[Torchhead]

None of the tables you listed in the first post with the exception of EZ-Router use MACH. Primary reason (besides the no profit angle) is they loss control of the customer if they can go and get ideas and support from other sources. In mystery there is margin!

It less about which controller you use if the you teach your students the "process" of CNC using the 3 C's: CAD, CAM, CONTROL. If you understand those individual functions you can quickly pick up just about any commercial machine and any type of CNC cutting/operations. If you can draw an object in any program that will export DXF files and then let you take that file to virtually any CAM program (based on the depth of your pockets and the type CNC you want to do) and then it spits out an industry standard G-code for moving the machine you understand the process By having flexible choices the operator has options and does not get into learning one "system". MACH is a software Controller. It uses a PC and Windows to control the motion using INDUSTRY STANDARD g-code; Stuff you can read as it runs or use a simple text editor to modify. Every operator needs to know a little g-code (enough to look at the code and determine what the machine is supposed to do). It's WAY past the stage where anyone will pay you to sit and hand write g-code but they will pay you to analyze and fix a file that is causing problems.

When you use a machine that has it's own closed system then you learn that system. When you learn the process you can mix and match different drawing programs, different CAM programs and even different controllers.

The beauty of MACH is the open development options but the average operator will never go that deep. It is a very capable Controller with a good user interface.

For over 5 years we have done decorative plasma cutting and without the flexibility to use a drawing program that imports a lot of file formats for instant clipart and ways to easily manipulate text/fonts and quickly draw something we could show the customer we would have been SOL on a lot of nice paying jobs. I use CorelDraw for artwork, SheetCAM for the CAM/toolpath and MACH to make it run and handle the integrated THC functions.

www.FourhillsDesigns.com for the metal cutting

Tom Caudle
www.CandCNC.com

[Metal-Mass]

Yeah I was thinking basically the same way of approaching the students. When I learned 3D CAD systems I learned 3 different ones at once to get the understanding down, that way I could, with some practice, pick up any CAD program depending on the companies choices. Not that I need a bunch of different CAM systems for the students to learn, but I wanted one that would at least expose the G-code that the software was putting out so that they could see it and manipulate a few lines. I like Trackers machine set up but from what I can tell their software doesn't allow access to the codes to see what really going on. It's like being able to understand Bezier curves and surfaces to really grasp what your 3D CAD system is doing. As far as I can see, Dynatorch, Torchmate, EZ-router, and Plasma Route all have software that does expose the code.

[J D Redneck]

I would not recommend buying a machine from 'Precision Cutting Systems Inc.' in Calgary.
They have not been helpful in trying to solve our problems.
The Height Controller still does not work properly, & they will not come to find out what the problem is. They sent a Hypertherm rep once, but the system is not fully Hypertherm.
They have modified the system to use their own lifting assembly.
They also have modified the software, which is a pain to use sometimes, & say that if you use another software the warrenty will be void.
When we ordered the machine, a couple of items were mentioned that we wanted, but she didn't make note of them. When we got the unit, she refused to acknowledge that we had ordered them.
When we picked up the machine they were still building it, after about 3 months waiting for it ( aprox time frame ), then we took it, unaware at the time that the unit had not been tested at all. They said that everything worked fine. The support is non existant to being stupid. When a call was placed, ( support is on specific days @ specific times which may not coincide with your schedule ) and a question was asked, everytime she would answer with the same question: "Is the machine grounded?" We have sufficient grounding, but she still insisted on asking the same question everytime.
Sorry for the ramble, but stay away from these people!!
There are other companies that will probably give you a better product.
Good Luck

Happy Trails.....

[WSS]

metal-mass,
check this out:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Torch-table-Manu...3286.m20.l1116

It is a 3X3 table. I spoke with him (jim@schwenco.com) to see about a 6X3 table. Very reasonable! Problem was shipping. He is in Erie, Il. The Dynatorch has servos and would probably cost less than the 20K with the table and plasma gen.

Here is a nice "Command Center". This could be rolled from CNC machine to CNC machine and plugged in and the appropriate control software used.

http://www.globalindustrial.com/gcs/...roductInfo.web

You have taken on a bunch! Good luck to you and the new school.

WSS

[plain ol Bill]

Hey WSS thanks for the link to the "command center". That was just what I had been looking for and I purchased one.

[WSS]

Plain ol Bill,
I bought one about a month ago. The rebate showed up a week ago ($55). They have a bunch of accessories. I will probably add a fan or two later down the road. It is pretty good quality and stable. I did add the mouse tray, and it works great. I purchased a off-lease (used) 21" dell monitor from ebay that adjusts up and down and it fits perfect.

WSS