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Introduction, Laser Cutting, CNC Routing, and 3D Printing
- Thread starter Spookyeng
- Start date
rcsoar4fun
Very Strong User
I will be cutting frames for a J-boat at a later date, lol.
Doc James Hammond
Very Strong User
Raymond Gaskins
Very Strong User
Hello Doc,
I too am looking for a 4x8 cnc machine and am accumulating information for when my new workshop will be completed by early fall. Any comments about your use of this machine, cost and availability would be appreciated.
Raymond Gaskins
I too am looking for a 4x8 cnc machine and am accumulating information for when my new workshop will be completed by early fall. Any comments about your use of this machine, cost and availability would be appreciated.
Raymond Gaskins
Raymond Gaskins
Very Strong User
Wayne,
I am also interested in a laser cutter in the 100 watt range for heavy hobby use and am interested in your thoughts about performance, cost and availability.
Raymond Gaskins
I am also interested in a laser cutter in the 100 watt range for heavy hobby use and am interested in your thoughts about performance, cost and availability.
Raymond Gaskins
Doc James Hammond
Very Strong User
Hey Raymond:
Rationale:
I need this machine for my R&D facility that I am initiating here on this fair tropical isle of Taiwan. Honestly, here or in China I am crippled by CNC mould machining costs. It costs as much or more to machine a positive mould set, as it does to buy the damn CNC machine outright - so this is a no-brainer. As an example, the Alpenbrise 4M model positive mould set cost nearly 12,000USD. The new factory in China will not have a large sized machine for at least a year, and I have at least two more pretty large models in the pipeline, so that reinforces my choice.
Cost:
Is anything from 5K to 10K USD depending on configuration, etc. Normally loads of add-ons such as lathe and 4 axis, etc. Are readily available and/or completely compatible. Software is no problem.
Resolution:
This machine (like most others of its type) has a theoretically high resolution, which is easily enough for making model aeroplanes:
X: ±0.02mm Y: ±0.01mm Z: ±0.01mm But this all falls by the wayside if the stages and ball screws etc. are made of rubber. This is why on a machine with a bed this large, sturdiness and rigidity are paramount. This one is made in Taiwan so its a lot sturdier and has a much higher grade moving parts spec than the equivalent Chinese ones. Also, as I live in Taiwan its pretty easy to get service and spares.
Usage:
I talked to one outfit who uses this machine intensively for making large 'carved' ornamental house doors from hardwoods. They swear by it - not a glitch in over a year of use.
Shipping:
If you live in the USA, then shipping might be a serious consideration - for a machine weighing almost 5 Tonnes, obviously sea fright would be cheaper but I'm not sure how much, and also Wayne told me that Customs clearance for sea shipped items can be a bit of a pain too.
I'll report more when I have more information.
Cheers,
Doc.
Last edited:
Doc James Hammond
Very Strong User
Hey again Raymond:
Laser cutting is a different ball game to mechanical machining as the stresses and vibration on the working head are minimal.
I am pretty sure I will never need to use a laser machine, but if I did, and the use was regular, I might look into the possibilities for a quick changeover type head on the mechanical router. i.e. Use the same mechanical router machine but with the laser head. Maybe a couple of clamps, a couple of plugs, some re-calibration and off you go. Not sure on that one, but it seems feasable.
Not sure if that helps or confuses,
Cheers,
Doc.
Raymond Gaskins
Very Strong User
Doc,
Thank you for your help. I will be interested in your ongoing comments.
Raymond
Thank you for your help. I will be interested in your ongoing comments.
Raymond
Doc I was going to ask if you really need that large of a machine as the larger they are, the more issues you will have with cutting your aluminum molds. Sounds like you already know this. But yeah, I would love one of those!
@Raymond Gaskins - If you have already decided you need 100 watts, then I'm guessing you already know a thing or two about what you are getting into. I suspect we would be fine with a lower wattage laser, but we are after the bigger bed size, and the bigger beds all come with the higher wattage lasers. Seems this actually makes sense as the higher wattage usually allows for better cutting/engraving speeds, and higher speeds on a bigger bed are a must.
If I had the money, I like the Thunder Laser products a fair amount. They have a nice mix of performance and price with strong customer support. It is a Chinese laser with a US reseller and my understanding is much higher build quality. But that is more than I am willing to spend on a new market for us, so going to go with the OM Tech and save about 50% of the initial investment. OM Tech is a cheaper Chinese laser, but they do have a reseller in California that does some support and carries some spare parts. It is a machine we will probably have to double check the build quality on and make a few adjustments on, but my staff is more than up to that job. The Lasers in general do have a good reputation and a 2 years parts warranty (1 year on tube). Nathan here on the forum has one and seems to be working very well for him.
If you are thinking of buying a Chinese brand of anything right now, keep in mind they are having some major Covid outbreaks right now and entire cities are closed down. One of these is a major shipping hub for the country. Best guess is they are going to be closed for a few weeks while Covid does it's thing. I'm thinking we will hold off on the laser purchase for a little bit longer due to this. Or I may step down to the 80 watt they offer with a slightly smaller bed as I think they have that one in California. (Still debating this..)
@Raymond Gaskins - If you have already decided you need 100 watts, then I'm guessing you already know a thing or two about what you are getting into. I suspect we would be fine with a lower wattage laser, but we are after the bigger bed size, and the bigger beds all come with the higher wattage lasers. Seems this actually makes sense as the higher wattage usually allows for better cutting/engraving speeds, and higher speeds on a bigger bed are a must.
If I had the money, I like the Thunder Laser products a fair amount. They have a nice mix of performance and price with strong customer support. It is a Chinese laser with a US reseller and my understanding is much higher build quality. But that is more than I am willing to spend on a new market for us, so going to go with the OM Tech and save about 50% of the initial investment. OM Tech is a cheaper Chinese laser, but they do have a reseller in California that does some support and carries some spare parts. It is a machine we will probably have to double check the build quality on and make a few adjustments on, but my staff is more than up to that job. The Lasers in general do have a good reputation and a 2 years parts warranty (1 year on tube). Nathan here on the forum has one and seems to be working very well for him.
If you are thinking of buying a Chinese brand of anything right now, keep in mind they are having some major Covid outbreaks right now and entire cities are closed down. One of these is a major shipping hub for the country. Best guess is they are going to be closed for a few weeks while Covid does it's thing. I'm thinking we will hold off on the laser purchase for a little bit longer due to this. Or I may step down to the 80 watt they offer with a slightly smaller bed as I think they have that one in California. (Still debating this..)
Doc James Hammond
Very Strong User
"Doc, I was going to ask if you really need that large of a machine as the larger they are, the more issues you will have with cutting your aluminum molds. Sounds like you already know this. But yeah, I would love one of those!"
Hi Wayne, in a short answer, YES!
I need to make some bigger models for the European market, and possibly the other markets later, plus I have been asked to develop some ODM/OEM UAV and aerodynamic research stuff for a couple of 'entities'.
In fact a two-metre bed is really on the small side of what I need - but OK.
The machine is manufactured by a local company, so its easy to make a custom product to fix the ridgidity and motor power probems. You just pay a bit more.
Right now I know what I need, but I still have to find a place to put it. But others are working on that.
I'll keep you in the loop.
Cheers,
Doc
Hi Wayne, in a short answer, YES!
I need to make some bigger models for the European market, and possibly the other markets later, plus I have been asked to develop some ODM/OEM UAV and aerodynamic research stuff for a couple of 'entities'.
In fact a two-metre bed is really on the small side of what I need - but OK.
The machine is manufactured by a local company, so its easy to make a custom product to fix the ridgidity and motor power probems. You just pay a bit more.
Right now I know what I need, but I still have to find a place to put it. But others are working on that.
I'll keep you in the loop.
Cheers,
Doc
Raymond Gaskins
Very Strong User
Wayne and Doc,
Thanks for the comments and advice. I live in NC on the east coast so will be paying lots of attention to build quality. I have a 50 x 70 foot workshop about to undergo construction so it will be several months before I will have room to install the cnc and laser cutter. I don’t want to throw money away but getting the quality of machine I want is my primary concern.
Keep me in the loop with your research and advice.
Raymond
Thanks for the comments and advice. I live in NC on the east coast so will be paying lots of attention to build quality. I have a 50 x 70 foot workshop about to undergo construction so it will be several months before I will have room to install the cnc and laser cutter. I don’t want to throw money away but getting the quality of machine I want is my primary concern.
Keep me in the loop with your research and advice.
Raymond
rcsoar4fun
Very Strong User
thenated0g
Moderator
i remember unpacking something like that
rcsoar4fun
Very Strong User
Txmustangflyer
Strong User
This is an rc aircraft, now purchaseable down under. Entire thing is aluminum. Wings, tail, fuse. No wood, at all. Was done based on a wood kit desogn. In the end, the aluminum aircraft weighs less bare, (no motor, servos, electronics) than the wood kit in same form.
