recommendation for small wood CNC routers

[anchange]

I'm thinking about setting up a system of manufacturing that would require CNC routering some wood pieces. I know CNC isn't ideal for trying to pump out quantity but it may be the only option. I was hoping to get some input on what are the cheap decent CNC wood routers. I only need a very small bed - Y movement 3", X movement 7", Z movement 2"

And links and ideas would be great! Everyone always seems to talk to me about techno, is that my best option? I've worked a lot on shopbots but I figure they aren't exactly what I want for this. K2CNC seems interesting especially the KTM-0704 which seems to be a tiny little vertical mill. I'd need to buy a bunch of them and line em all up to pump out parts to price is a big concern. Thank you for the help!

Also I might be willing to build my own… anyone have any links to peoples DIY websites? I just got access to a Tormach that I want to start playing with anyways.

[anchange]

Oh and also I may want / need to be able to add on 4th axis (rotational axis)

[stoneyreef]

That size, the fireball cnc, the sable, I think the sable is ready to run for about $500.

[stoneyreef]

Here is a good thread on cheap CNC's the size you want.


http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread...light=fireball

[ger21]

A larger machine would let you load multiple parts, and would save time on loading and unloading. Time is money.

[anchange]

All of these small machines seem to be geared towards PCB board making and other low machine stress projects. I want to do fancy wood work. Think stuff like cutting topography out of a solid chunk of hard wood. Are there any different considerations that I should take into account for this application when looking at these little machines?

[ger21]

If you really want a small machine, you might want to look at this one. It's capable of higher speeds than most others I've seen.
http://www.romaxxcnc.com/products.htm

[cabnet636]

camaster builds a mean little industrial machine known as the mc class, there is one on display at mann tool in columbia sc.

YouTube - Camaster 1500ipm movement test

YouTube - Camaster 1500ipm movement test

jim

[mcphill]

The most important item you left out is price - what's your budget? Also, how willing are you to learn. If you don't know CAM or CNC yet, you have a long road ahead. The Fireball is a quite capable machine, but not the stoutest. It will do VERY fine work, though. I have a bunch of stuff I have done on mine posted here:

http://public.fotki.com/mcphill/mcpi-inc/fireball/

It will indeed route hardwood (with the upgraded Bosch Colt spindle, not with a Dremel) with no issue, this is my first real 3D machining, in Oak:

http://public.fotki.com/mcphill/mcpi...e-hammer-form/

Mind you, the machine is more capable than me at the moment. I usually make a few mistakes in setup and adjustment as I make my parts. This is just a "learning platform" for me right now, as ALL the skills I am learning will be directly transferable to a large mill and milling metals (or any other material). I just wanted to start at a lower cost entry point so that I could make sure I could get from point A to B like I thought I could (I have now done so), and without breaking the bank. In the process, I have learned TONS about CNC, CAM, Scanning, Reverse Engineering, etc.

[Switcher]

I would go with a larger machine (like ger21 said), load more parts per cycle, instead of running a single part (unless you really enjoy standing at a machine all day).

[anchange]

I know Solidworks well and I use SolidCam in that. Also messed with other cheap CAM software. Pretty well versed with the shopbot and its proprietary software. Hopefully I can get up and running with something fast...

It seems like there's two groups the 500-1000 group and the 2000+ group. What really are the advantages of the 2000+ range? Theoretically I should be able to do what I want with any of these systems right?

The MDF on the fireball scares me...

[anchange]

Originally Posted by Switcher I would go with a larger machine (like ger21 said), load more parts per cycle, instead of running a single part (unless you really enjoy standing at a machine all day).

Ya I see what you're saying that probably makes more sense. But I still want to at least start with a small little guy and go from there.