Re: Buying a CNC wood router from StyleCNC - complete process and review
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I would recommend my sales person Therese (export01@stylecnc.com) as there were no English translation issues or errors and was happy to take the time to get everything spec'd as I wanted. Mike the engineer speaks with a bit more broken English, but as a Youtube channel I watch says, "It's Super Good Enough" to get me answers about the controller and machine. I have a basic start up sequence that I wrote out based on watching videos and can send along to you.Originally Posted by gregpr
1) Yes, the LNC controller works well with VCarve Pro as that is what I am using to make drawings and programs. The Post processor that was supplied by StyleCNC worked well, but also easy to change, so I made a few versions based on specific features of my machine and different use cases. You can add things to the Post like when to turn on or off the dust collector, when to raise or lower the pressure rollers (option chosen for my machine), and could even control vacuum pumps automatically, haivng one post processor that uses them and another that leaves them off.
2) My machine (yours may be spec'd differently) has automatic oil lubrication. So there is little to no servicing of it. Nearly all the parts are off-the-shelf components, so replacing relays, servos, linear bearings, sensors, tool posts, etc. should be as easy as asking StyleCNC to send them or buying them directly off Amazon or Alibaba. The automatic lubrication system took a minute to figure out how it worked, but it is setup on a timer and I had to run it through a few cycles to get all of the lines charged up and delivering oil.
3) Yes, I am mechanically inclined, so I don't mind taking things apart. I did tram the spindle, but that is something every CNC owner should be able to check and perform. It involved taking off some of the spindle coverings and parts, but nothing more than an allen wrench needed.
4) I did not find a single loose connection in the cabinet (or at least nothing glaringly wrong). All that I changed was the main power wires that went from the terminal blocks to the spindle VFD and increased their size one gauge, which was not strictly necessary at all. All of the other wiring was completely fine, those were just on the lower end of sizing for me. I had one or two minor setting issues with an incorrectly set X-axis software limit, but that was easy to fix in the LNC controller. Mike the tech engineer is super fast at getting back to me and helping both fix any issues and also answer questions about making it run faster. He just helped me increase the acceleration of the machine so I could do 3D carvings in 1/2 the time as compared to the stock settings.
5) If I had more room I would have gotten the full sized 4th axis rotary (since it is not too expensive) and changed to a rotary tool carousel ATC from the linear (because the linear tool changer rides along, it limits the thickness of work that can be placed on the table from 12" to 8"). But these required more space that I didn't have. I am happy with the pneumatic rollers as they can easily be removed and are key when cutting construction plywood for certain jobs or just cutting when you don't want to run the vacuum. I would not get the cheap 2kw blower vacuum pumps, more vacuum is always better, so instead of spending some money on those and upgrading later, spend the money and get better rotary vane or liquid rings pumps, StyleCNC should have options for you. Basically, get any option that you have the room to fit. Each upgrade is a small expense compared to what it would cost to retrofit in the future. Full 4axis machines were only a few thousand more, and if I thought I would be able to program them or have the work, I would have upgraded had I known. I may have asked for a C-axis attachment if I was thinking about it at the time, but didn't even know they existed. I also don't build cabinets, so I didn't get a drill block, but if you do, they are supposed to be worth their weight in gold.
6) I used Total Quality Logistics for import customs and they were great. Tell AHruska@tql.com I sent you. But you are in Australia, so that might not work for you. But just pay someone a little bit to do the paperwork for you and you won't have to worry about getting it done wrong. Therese at StyleCNC set up most of the export paperwork for us, so they make it easy (and cheap if you ask them how to save on customs fees).
