Thread: Help with new machine
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04-03-2013 #1
Hello,
I am new to the forum.
We are an industrial design company specialising in the design and development of motorcycles and power sports vehicles. We regularly make full scale Prototype models from auto styling clay, model board (Ureol) mdf, sla sls etc
We are looking to purchase a CNC router for cutting model board, styrofoam, wood, MDF and perhaps plastic. Primarily we want to cut female tools from Polyurethane model board (Renishape, Ureol etc) so that we can make GRP and Carbon parts. We have a fair bit of work coming up that will mean we will need to cut GRP female mould tools from Ureol model board or mdf. We could farm it out but the amount we will need to do means we could be better off investing in our own machine. Don't really have a budget as yet but would ideally be looking to spend no more than say 12k. I'm guessing a 4ft x 4ft by say 400mm would do for the sort of work we will be doing (mostly bike panels). As well as creating female mould tools for GRP parts we will also cut model parts for things like engine casings or headlight reflectors. Obviously we could make tools in sections and dowel and pin them together so make parts that are larger than the bed size.
I am looking for any help or advice that you can offer.
Many thanks in advance
Mark
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05-03-2013 #2
Hi, wellcome to the site. I do not think you will find a machine with the Z travel that you require within your budget, but I am sure you can build a machine to suit.
I think the best alternative would be to buy a machine with the bed size you want and modify the gantry and make a new Z axis complete.If you are only cutting
soft materials the high Z should be ok. - Just my opinion. G.
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05-03-2013 #3
Hello Geoffrey,
Many thanks for the speedy reply. We don't really have the time or expertise to build one, what do you think we should expect to pay? What companies should we be looking at? We would also be looking for training on how to use the machine? What about if that Z was reduced to say 300mm?
Cheers
Mark
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05-03-2013 #4
Mark, most of the members of this forum are interested in diy machine builds, and many of them have had little or no experience prior to their builds. If you read the build logs you will realize what I mean, and see that with some help and guidance people usually end up with a machine to suit their needs. If you have a decent sized workshop and a good 3 phase supply you should be able to find an older commercial machine within your budget that would suit, although it would probably have a 2400mm bed.
It is possible that one of our most experienced members would be prepared to design and build a machine for you. G.
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The Following User Says Thank You to GEOFFREY For This Useful Post:
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07-03-2013 #5
Hello Geoffrey,
Many thanks for the speedy reply,
We have a good sized work shop and a decent 3 phase supply (have a look here to see some photos of our set-up http://www.coroflot.com/mark19/Studio)
I don’t mind the idea of buying a second user machine, but we are looking to buy through an asset finance company because it is more tax efficient than buying outright. We are also after training support so we really need to buy from a reputable company ideally in the UK who know the product and can help us out when we get stuck.
In November last year we ordered an EMACH CNC Router Model EM Roto 600 from a chap called Leigh Tricklebank at EMACH International Limited. We were told it was an Ex Demo model and we were quoted £12,000.00. I went down to Walsall to see the chassis being built, it was all very convincing. It had a 2000mm x 600mm Working Area, a 250mm Working Height (across the 600mm width) with a 4KW Electro Spindle, Pneumatic Material Clamps, 10M/Min Axis Speed, and quoted 0.2mm Axis Repeatability 0.05 Programming Accuracy. Emach’s quote included delivery to us up here in the North East, ½ Day Installation, included 1 Day Training and a seat of ‘Delcam artcam’ CAD CAM Software.
It all seemed too good to be true, and it was! The machine was never delivered and Emach ceased trading. Fortunately for us we went through an asset finance company, as such they actually bought the piece of equipment to lease to us over a 4 year period. On further investigation it turns out Leigh Tricklebank has been the MD of a string of companies that have taken money and failed to deliver. Unbelievably the finance company didn’t check that we had received the machine before releasing payment in full. The finance company have now refunded us the instalments and deposit we had paid and are now pursuing Tricklebank to recover the debt. Ironically the reason we chose Emach was that they were a British company making the routers here so would be able to offer the support and training that we are after.
We are now starting the whole process of sourcing a suitable machine again. If you or any of the forum members can pass on any contact details of a company that might be able to help us I would be extremely grateful.
Many thanks in advance Mark
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07-03-2013 #6
Shame about the Emach deal. I do seem to remember something about them disappearing at the end of last year although I have never dealt with them. I also think one of the forum members used to work for them?
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07-03-2013 #7
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08-03-2013 #8
Hello mark
We are manufacturer of cnc routers in China. For your requirements,here are two kinds of cnc routers for your choice.
One with below specification(picture attached)
working size:1300*2500*400mm
servo motors and drivers
DSP handle /NC studio control system
table facet:vacuum suction or T-slot
And the other is professional mould making cnc router,which Z axis height can be highed up to 600mm.
If you are interested,please feel free to contact with me at [email protected].
More details and pictures will be sent to you.
Regards.
grace
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08-03-2013 #9
Blow the budget and go 5 axis .....
5-axis CNC Router
Ideal for what your intending to do I think!
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08-03-2013 #10
Hi Mark, that large machine from China certainly looks like it woul be well suited for your needs. It would be interesting to get a full specification and post it on the forum and I feel certain you would get some really helpful comments. Please take note of the post made by Musht, having a super machine sitting in your workshop will not be much good unless you have someone that can properly program it. Operating cnc machines is not rocket science, but to learn to draw the components in 3d and then machine them will certainly take some time and will probably result in a few headaches!!! It would be worth asking if there is one of these machines in the UK for you to visit and discuss. Some people "knock" Chinese goods, but some of the quality from "C" nowadays is very good, even the UK self builders usually end up with some components from there. G.
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