I have an opportunity to buy an inexpensive, used Gerber router, but the current owner says it is only a 2D router, x and y, no z axis.
Does this mean it is unable to incise prismatic lettering? Isn't the z axis required to do that?
If so, this eliminates this router for me.
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
I may be wrong, but the Z is the up and down motion. It may be that the controller won't do 3D. You'd have to be able to move up and down to cut stuff out.
Heck, what do I know??
Posted by Sam Staffan (Member # 4552) on :
Pual what model is it?
Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
Every router has a "z" axis like Amy said. It's the software and firmware that utilizes this axis in the routing process. Which Gerber router is it? Gerber has an inexpensive add on program called Autocarve that does a dandy job of carved and primatic letters. You'll need Graphix Advantage or Omega as well. This should come with the router if you buy it.
Posted by Paul Luszcz (Member # 4042) on :
The router model is AR4827. It's probably pretty old and I've never heard of that model.
I have Omega 2.5, which includes ArtPath. I wouldn't mind buying additional software if that's all I needed.
I just don't want to buy a 5'x5'x4' brick that I have to figure out how to get rid of.
Posted by Tony Teveris (Member # 2911) on :
I would say it's the AR400 which we have not supported since late 1999 and you will not be able to get parts from Gerber.
The Z axis is the tool up / down axis and the router did not support the Gerber AutoCarve option.
Posted by E. Balch (Member # 3545) on :
If the router mechanics are good you can get a flashcut controller to replace all the obsolete electronics. This assumes that the z-axis has a stepper motor that can be driven up and down.
