Will it take all the fun away........?

**A_Camera** · 18-09-2017

Originally Posted by MartinS

.....and many people who said that aeroplanes would never "take off" (grandpa Wright?).

...the difference is that the people who didn't believe that anything heavier than air could ever fly didn't really understood the principles of flying, so you can't really compare that with a "self driving router". There are some serious problems with the principle of driving on top of the work piece. Some example:
- the mass of the machine must be huge to work at all, and that will demand quite powerful motors to drive around.
- there is going to be an issue as soon as something gets under any of the wheels.
- there is going to be an issue as soon as the work piece gets dusty.
- speed is a serious limitation, as well as accuracy.
- it will need more than just three sets of wheels to be able to move accurately in any direction.
- the surface must be even, so in practical reality, I think the maximum work area is limited to the distance between the wheels.
- the milled surface pattern must be pretty simple, for example sign making/engraving.
- what about fixture? Smaller pieces can't be milled.

In other word, an expensive and cool toy with limited usability. Possible to make it but will not replace table top or larger CNC routers. Not really comparable with airplanes ability to fly.

**Doddy** · 18-09-2017

I'm just trying to imagine the safety-case for a router on wheels.

**mekanik** · 18-09-2017

Just checked out a brief review video from maker fair, estimated cost Eu1300

**A_Camera** · 18-09-2017

Originally Posted by mekanik

Just checked out a brief review video from maker fair, estimated cost Eu1300

Yes and the guy claims that it is in the same class as a table top small CNC when it comes to speed and accuracy. He claims that the maximum feed rate is 600mm/min which is the same league as small hobby machines... well I think he missed at least a zero since even the crappiest CNC can run much faster than at 600mm/min.

**Washout** · 19-09-2017

I'm all for trying new things and innovation, but in this case if space is an issue the best innovation is to mount your machine vertically (not that I have done that with mine....yet).