Sears now sells a wood router! CompuCarve

[widgitmaster]

CompuCarve

It figures that a company like Sears would start selling a CNC wood router with software!
It looks like an interresting design, where the X-Axis moves the board between rollers, and the Y&Z are contained within the compact machine!


sears.com/carve

$1899.99

[ViperTX]

It is actually the CarveWright system....ger21 told us about it about 3 months ago.

And it is more of a carver then a router. They also have a touch probe so you can digitize stuff.

http://www.carvewright.com/index.html

[whiteriver]

Just got the sears club sale flyer and it was $1699.00. Not bad for a molding carver or lithophane maker or even thin fretwork. Max dimensions 14 1/2" wide x 5 " thick 1" max carving depth by 16' long. At 720 ipm on X and Z and 120 on Y not to bad. Great little digitizer. To bad you can't export the files to other software like Artcam to be used on bigger routers.

Donny

[widgitmaster]

If I read the add correctly, you can use software to make your design, then post it to a memory card which then inserts into the machine to be run by a memory resident computer program!

That's some impressive technology in an "All-In-One" package!

[ger21]

Originally Posted by widgitmaster If I read the add correctly, you can use software to make your design, then post it to a memory card which then inserts into the machine to be run by a memory resident computer program! That's some impressive technology in an "All-In-One" package!

I think you can only import images, or .bmp's. It won't read CAD files or g-code files.

[greybeard]

While I am impressed with the package, even though I can't buy a machine here in UK, there is obviously still some development work to be done on both the hardware and the software.
I get a strong impression of a team that listen to their customers and go the extra mile when it comes to customer support.
It is a relatively new package, and things do go wrong, but the forum has a lot of happy owners who are still exploring its capabilities.
For anyone contemplating the purchase, I strongly advise reading as many of the postings as possible, to get a fair appraisal of where they are at the moment.

I declare my interest, as I am a moderator on the forum, but only in that I can offer a different time frame for the removal of spam etc.
Like I said, I can't yet purchase a machine, but by the time a 240volt version becomes available, I'm sure I'll still be happy to get one shipped over, however difficult the physical support may be.
John

[paul_m_hutton]

I work in a wood shop. I've been running the cnc routers there for five years. I always thought how if I had one at home i could make this or that. so i bought a kit and have used it for 2 years now. I love it! what great hobby! it has also paid for itself. my boss thought I was crazy to buy one but I told him that there are many people that share this hobby (refering to all you guys at cnc zone) and that in 10 years one would be able to buy a cnc machine at home depot. here we are 2 years later and sears is selling one. this is just the start, as cnc becomes more mainstream i think we will see prices of machines and components drop sharply. the rest of the world will find out what we know, that this is a great, rewarding, and very educating hobby. congradulations fellow cnc geeks, you are all pioneers! I can't stress how much i have learned and felt supported by all you guys here at cnc zone. I hope many more will join us in our hobby.

[DSL PWR]

Just think... soon Gecko's will be considered Industrial drivers! (more so than even now)

[yantra3d]

I imagine that the g-code solution will take a while to surface, but it wouldn't be difficult to create images from cad models that would be compatible with this system. This can easily be done with a rendering app like Mental Ray using Maya 3d software. You could import a cad file if required and then generate the greyscale image file from there. The process would be a few simple steps;

1.) Export cad file using a maya-compatible format (possibly a .dxf ?).

2.) Generate a "displacement map" using the Mental Ray raytrace render setttings:

Edit > Convert to file texture (choose .tif for best results)

3.) Convert displacement/texture map (.TIF > .BMP) using Photoshop or similar app.

NOTE: A "displacement map" is just a term used by 3d artists who deal strictly with the rendering side of 3d and is the equivelant of a greyscale image used by engraving software.

I have created displacement maps from geometry using maya/mental ray for some time now. Not sure how high the supported resolution is on the CW software (or hardware) but, I am able to convert 3D models into image files (.TIF) at a resolution of 32-bits per channel. Although 16-bit should be plenty for this application I would think.

Here's a sample....

Cheers!

[whiteriver]

I notice on there forum that the software that come with it is missing alot of the models that the demo and beta had. Also the Centerline text engrave is missing. That was a biggie for me. There is not much help on the forum by the manufactures. Seems like the users have to answer the questions and rumours. I did see a post from the powers that be that the missing models and centerline and other missing items may appear in a more expensive version of the software. But they had not a clue what would be included or when or for how much. Not to good about giving a straight answer. I was gonna buy one for the wife. She has been bugging me for one. But after reading the forums more I think I will hold off around a year.
Don't want to be part of there growing pains.
Guess I could just build her one. Doing the sand paper feed roller might be the only complicated part.

Donny

[Bowman]

Think of all you have to know to make an accurate piece. Even if you take out the building of a machine I have never met a machine that didn't need work on it and PM. I can see people getting these and they may work ok. I just wonder about its abilities compared to its users and vice versa.

The way they say just point and click and away you goooooo all sounds so easy just like every other commercial for something that has a technology basis. The same as those commercials that say our software can do this and this etc but they don't tell you what the IT folks will have to do to get that to happen, to the non informed they think its all install and go. How many times have you heard the term plug and play, yeah right more like plug and PRAY.. Everything can be simplified with technology but ultimately you will need to know something besides drag and drop to make cuttings beyond whats provided in the software.

This will be a good thing and bad in that it opens the flood gates for people to get involved meaning less opportunities for others, however, I think it takes a certain kind of person to get into the PC CNC CAD CAM world and those will not just appear at the same rate as the new machines. They may sell a lot but end use will be the question I wonder about.

I know a guy that makes custom furniture for a living and does some really nice work. He asked me if I could show him Autocad so he could draw some ideas. I offered and never heard back, I asked and he seemed to think it was to much for him, and all he would want to do is 2D woodworking dim drawings. I hope to wow him whenever I get around to my build arghhhh...

[gromit68]

The guy who runs the auto shop next door asked me about the Sears Compucarve. I researched it, and learned it was made by carvewright. I spoke to several people at the manufacturer. The machine is definitely not perfect, and not push-button easy, but it has loads of potential. The manuf projects that later this year, their design software will output G-code. Take the time to read their forum, and stay tuned. This guy may change the face of woodworking