12x12 Zem. some questions.

[is300soon]

Ok so I might get flamed but I have a flame suit on so lets go.

So I own a small business from home, we make some suspension items and some cosmetic led items.

The problem with the led items we have made is we design them here, we pay someone to do the dimensions and make a dxf, then the company overseas makes the led board and populates them, sends us the proto and we test them. So far we haven't had one design not fit correctly, but I feel my luck is running out.

Cost break down is around 100-400$ depending on the size of my boards, if they don't fit then that money is gone.... So If I mess up 3x in a year that will cost me more than a zen 12x12.

So what am I asking is this. How hard is it to learn to cut with these machines? I don't make any of my t6061 items in house, I outsoruce, which I will continue to do since my production is high on them and a small machine couldn't do what is needed. The overall thought is to have my cad guy make the design of the led board, then I cut it out of thin sheet metal or acrylic, mock it up where we will install it, if it fits perfect then we order our parts from overseas, if it doesn't fit then back to the cad guy, he works it up and we cut another one.

How does all of this sound? Can they cut acrylic without melting it? Some tips and tricks would be great, finding someone local would also be great to learn from or watch this machine in action. I am super new at this, like i mentioned i usually just farm out, but for these protos I would like to stay in house and also learn at the same time. The reason I like the zen is it's a bundle, I know I will have to learn and there will be a curve, but I like to think I am pretty smart and catch on. Anything you can suggest I am willing to listen to.

thanks
David

[CDAlexander]

I think you'll be fine with acrylic. Melting will be alleviated by adjusting the spindle RPM (and/or volts).

We've had many discussions revolving around acrylic in our forums (which might be a great place for you to do research and ask questions before you purchase:

Click Here for ZTW Forum Thread

[is300soon]

For a 12x12 machine at around 1k is this the best to be found? Here is the deal, I don't have time to learn how to make one or I would, but I need something user friendly so I can learn on. I will be cutting

1. acrylic for testing designs
2. Copper plates to make pcb boards
3. thin 6061 stock so I can tool around making items

What do you think? ZEN seems to be pretty local to me also, I think walnut creek ca.

D