Originally Posted by
zool
KuchateK: "If controller + software + PC costs $400 it will never happen."
I am building my second 3-axis CNC router, which is designed to be a 6-axis machine eventually. I have approximately $5000 in the frame, rails, carriages, stepper motors [including spares], wiring, nuts and bolts, labor and materials for building a variety of parts, e-track, miscellaneous electrical and electronic parts.
I have a gecko G540 and 50-volt power supply. I use MACH3, its quirky, but I have got it stable. I use Alibre and Sketchup Pro. I use Cam Bam.
The Dell computer [included monitor, KB and mouse] I got free, and I bought and installed two parallel ports, plus a very good video card. The operating system is Windows 2000.
I design and build furniture.
Given the above facts and circumstances, $400 is pocket change.
Time does have value.
"Cheap" is very expensive.
Though the RPI appears to be very cool, I care not until its been proven, it and all related technologies are accessible, easy, reliable and dependable. And all the aforementioned plays nice with ALL CNC-related software; i.e., CAD, CAM, controllers, and the many add-ons thereto.
Lots of very cool pieces of technology have come and gone.
Sure looks like a lot of folks [and you all are really smart and clever] see the leaves and trees, though are missing the forest.