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I hesitate to post this for fear of starting a us vs. them thread but here goes. We have an older Gerber AR-400 cnc which is outdated (no support and very little parts available). We are looking at replacing it and are considering a Precix 9100. It is made in Canada and looks like a great machine. My question is, are there any shops out there using a Precix cnc router, has anyone heard of these machines and if you are using one how do you like it?
The biggest problem for us is that we use GA and Omega and our cam software is Artpath. We would have to change our cam software and convert .plt files to .eps or .dfx to cut them. Any thoughts?
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We looked at all the routers at the ISA show a year and a half ago in Las Vegas. If you can wait till spring, I suggest you go to the show in Las Vegas this year. Precix, Gerber, Camtech, Multicam and a few others were there to answer the tough questions. We are a Gerber based shop too, and we decided on the Sabre 408. Haven't regreted it, and it was easy to learn. Be prepared to break some bits though during the learning curve. Get the vacuum hold down option and the Auto Carve software too and mist option if your cutting aluminum sheet. Oh don't forget the high speed spindle! :)And remember you'll need 3Phase power (For the spindle and vacuum hold down), 220V, 110V for the router and dust collection and compressed air(for the mist option.) You probably have all this if you have an AR400 anyway. Good Luck,
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Thanks for the reply Duncan. If I had my choice it would be the Sabre 408 but the Precix is 20 grand cheaper. Don't know what we will do yet but thanks again.
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I have worked on sabre 408 routers for the last 6 years, we got the first one in the UK, They are a great machine although it's a bit more money you should be able to make it pay for itself. Cheers Terry
-------------------- Terry Colley The VintageSign Co 42 barrack hill Romiley Stockport Cheshire, England sk6 3az tel 0161 494 5089 terry@bullandbrush.fsnet.co.uk Posts: 210 | From: England | Registered: Dec 1999
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well steve...i just got my router(yippee)and living up here in cow hampshire(fondly call it that)3 phase power is not an option in my neighborhood...gerber's vacuum table already has the magnetic field starter in it but i'm not sure if the others do...mine did not and i spent an extra $3k for wiring and the magn. field starter box alone was $1100.00...thankfully hyatts picked up the cost of that because i was misinformed. all areas are different so your electrician can tell you better, but anything with a 10 hp motor needs that magnetic field starter switch box.
i have omega software but use art cam pro for the router. you can import files into easily so i don't think that will be an issue for you.
-------------------- Karyn Bush Simply Not Ordinary, LLC Bartlett, NH 603-383-9955 www.snosigns.com info@snosigns.com Posts: 3516 | From: Bartlett, NH USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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Don't know what we will do yet but thanks again.
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