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I am in the process of looking into a CNC Router for my shop... Any comments on what product brand you might suggest and software? Our Sign Shop is MAC & PC based, but prefer MAC. This would be used for cutting lettering from (acrylic 1.5") and (metals .5"). Any comments welcomed.
Thanks Rick @ Trick
-------------------- Rick Whitmire Trick Communications & Signs Box 1124, Hudson, WI Posts: 132 | From: Hudson, WI | Registered: Nov 2002
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We have a Vytek 4x8. It is very well built and has a 5hp Perske spindle. I do not have a vacuum hold down, but if it is available look into it. Ours has a 5.5" Z axis (up & down) so there is plenty of room for thicker materials. AXYZ makes a nice unit too (www.axyz.com). We use an old version of Casmate to run it. I will be on the lookout for better software soon. www.artcam.com seems to be a popular software package.
double check on .5" metals. We have cut some .375 aluminum, but you need a lubricant mister and it makes a huge mess of the table.
-------------------- Jerry VanHorn, Pres. Pure Sports Designs, LLC Pro Sign Design / United Wholesale Signs www.prosigndesign.comwww.unitedwholesalesigns.com West Liberty, OH 937-465-0595 866-942-3990 Since 1990 Posts: 925 | From: West :Liberty, OH | Registered: May 2004
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Well thats quite a topic, and as Bob says everybody has their likes and dislikes.
I had just Gerber software and equipment for years, and then broke the mould by buying a Summa T-series plotter, and then last year started thinking about routers again. Looked at Gerber sabre, found a used 404 at Spandex here but they were appalling at getting back and trying to sell it, even though they had it in the secondhand stock over a year!
Got talking to some signmakers in the UK and started looking at Axyz and Multicamm, didn't really see much difference in the 2 machines, the local companies here had a slightly different approach, I liked the AXYZ people better, the deal was better the machine was higher spec for the money.
I intially ordered a 4008, but the transport company dropped it and it got replaced by a 4010 which is much better. Most sheeting here is around 10ft,(acrylics pvc etc) smaller sheets need replacing quicker!
I opted for a 10hp spindle with misting wands for cutting aluminium, and vacuum board and Becker vacuum pump, Automatic tool changer would have been nice but quite a chunk more money.
Spindle with air release quick fit collets would have been fun too, but with AXYZ S-Mouse changing tools is very fast, and as a small shop I'm not standing over someone wishing they worked more efficiently.
Software: I have Gerber Omega, for most signwork..good or bad..its the devil you know! But in the router computer I run Signlab which is connected to AXZY Toolpath, its easy and works well.
Axyx do a program called Toolpath studio which is basically Signlab with Toolpath built in, now I assign all toolpaths in signlab and export a plt file to Toolpath check for direction errors and set output depth and multipass, tab width etc, and then transmit to the table.
Its been such an asset to me a "bit" of a learning curve of which I'm still involved :)but saves me so much time and gives my shop so much more to market. never regretted it!
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We have had our ShopBot for about three years and are very pleased with it. The first two years were slow going trying to learn what materials and functions work best along with keeping up a regular work schedule. Now it's really "cooking". I would say that it's just about paid for itself at this point. That's the beauty of having a machine that costs less than most CNC's.
-------------------- Jean Shimp Shimp Sign & Design Co. Jacksonville Beach, Fl Posts: 1269 | From: Jacksonville Beach, Fl. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thanks To all, The help on on these types of investments is great... I will check out the treads Bob... I need to do my homework and go from there. Thanks again
Rick @ Trick
-------------------- Rick Whitmire Trick Communications & Signs Box 1124, Hudson, WI Posts: 132 | From: Hudson, WI | Registered: Nov 2002
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If you can swing it, going to the show in Atlantic City in Dec. It is a good place to see many, talk with the reps, and just listen to others (show participants, not vendors) talk good about the good and the bad of their own machines.
Although we don't have one, I have heard other people talk about some not being as precise as others. I've overheard others looking for a new machine because they bought a cheaper machine and they didn't like this or that about it.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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But in the router computer I run Signlab which is connected to AXZY Toolpath, its easy and works well.
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