New shopsabre

[todd71]

I use ArtCAM. It took sometime to get used to it. Most of the patterns are either reliefs from gray scale images, manipulated in Photo shop, or vectors with various shapes applied to them. I work with designers that give me a rough idea of what they want and I go from there. It takes some trial and error to nail it. I bill by the hour so they can make all the changes they want. It was a slow start but now I'm running 7days a week and we still can't keep up. My only advise would be "push it to the limit". People will pay more, if they are getting more. You just have to give them the option. Oh yeah, 1/4 scale samples will save you tons of time and material. It may even seal the deal. Just landed a bid for 550 wall panels for 25 franchise restaurants based on 1/4 scale models. It's out there you just have to find it.

Todd

[BensMillwork]

Great work Todd ! I've heard a great deal about artcam. Right now since our primary business is cabinets and lumber I have autocabinets and Enroute 3.I also use some of vectorart3d elements for signs ,just playing around getting use to the machine at the moment .Do you have a vacuum system on your machine? That's one area I'm a little concerned about is when I start cutting melamine drawer fronts for p. lam cabinets, is holding the small parts,I guess I will try a tab ,or onion skin.I have heard the Vacuum can let small part like drawer fronts move anyway,but I guess I won't know for sure until I try.On your panels , are those routed in a high density foam?
Thanks,
Ben

[todd71]

I got the 20hp vacuum. It works great. Drawer fronts should be no problem. I've yet to "toss" any of the cabinet components we make.
It gets a little tricky when the width of the object is thinner than the height of the material. Like small letters or inlays. When something like that comes up I use spray adhesive (3M #77) to stick the material to a piece of 1/4 MDF. If needed use "tacky tranfer paper", like what on acrylic sheets, to protect the material from the glue. Then vacuum or screw the whole thing to the table. Saves a lot of time and aggravation.
At the moment the panels are machined from 1 1/2inch slabs of MDF. We're currently working out a molding process. It's coming along, but at this point the product repeatability is not where I'd like. Once the variables are taken care of it should be the way to go. I'll just keep experimenting till I get.

Good luck,
Todd

"I'm not a failure. I succeed at finding out what doesn't work" LOL
-Christopher Titus

[ddgman2001]

Hi Ben,

Any glitches so far with your ATC?

How is your machine for deflection and square?

I'm thinking seriously of getting the 3636 Shop Sabre with an ATC.

We manufacture electric guitars so our needs are a little different than cabinet makers, but it looks like you do both.

TIA

[BensMillwork]

No no problem with it the tool changer, works great .I opted for tool changer and left the vacuum for later.I have not had any accuracy problem either as the machine has very hi-end components.Be sure and get the ac digital servo's.I'm working on making my own vacuum system at the moment.Let me Know if you have any other questions.
Just call and ask for Mike Seegar, he'll take care of you.
Thanks,
Ben

[KustomKoncepts]

Hi ben I should see My 4896 SS 5hp 5atc in a week or so. I can't wait to get it. I had a question for tim. Art cam how much is it. I can't seem to find a price anywhere. I have Rhino and vcarve to start I would really like Enroute Pro but it is 6 grand.

I want to do wood grained textures on signs to look like it was a sand blasted sign. Vcarve though good and easy to use I don't think it can do it. I use the texture profile and only can draw stuff that looks like stones. its cool but not all I want out of my work. I know enroute will do everything but is pricey. later

[ger21]

I had a question for tim. Art cam how much is it. I can't seem to find a price anywhere.

$7K+

[KustomKoncepts]

I quess I will save up for Enroute.

[ger21]

I want to do wood grained textures on signs to look like it was a sand blasted sign.

I'm guessing you won't be using real wood? Because it would probably be a lot cheaper and faster to actually sandblast it, rather than cnc it.

[BensMillwork]

Hi ben I should see My 4896 SS 5hp 5atc in a week or so. I can't wait to get it. I had a question for tim. Art cam how much is it. I can't seem to find a price anywhere. I have Rhino and vcarve to start I would really like Enroute Pro but it is 6 grand.

I want to do wood grained textures on signs to look like it was a sand blasted sign. Vcarve though good and easy to use I don't think it can do it. I use the texture profile and only can draw stuff that looks like stones. its cool but not all I want out of my work. I know enroute will do everything but is pricey. later

Hello, yes artcam is 7,500 for the pro version. They also have some cheaper versions with less functions and enroute pro is 5995.00 I believe.
Ben

[KustomKoncepts]

I will have to live with v carve for now to get started. I have had to make 2 $900.00 payments on my Shop Sabre and still don't have the machine. How many weeks or months did it take from your down payment to at your door? Ben

Gerry I wanted a cnc for the same reason as my plotter and digital printer cutter... Repeatability and accuracy. I can repeat 2 million times the same thing, decal, bumper sticker or cnc sign. I want to be able to pull up a file in 5 years and cut the same sign. That is why I want a wood grain look to cnc also in sign foam it is hard to get a wood grain look because there is no grain in HDU foam so the cnc is needed to make it look like that.

[BensMillwork]

Hello, from the time they got my deposit it was right at 6 or 61/2 weeks, pretty much the time Mike ,my salesman said it would take. You will want to borrow an engine hoist to install the gantry and you will still need 2 people to line her up and put the bolts in.There is just the legs to bolt on and the gantry and two braces and 2 air lines if you got the air balancer and that's it.About 2-3 hours taking your time.Use a nylon strap or big rope around the gantry, less chance of damage that if you use a chain.
Ben