Recommendations for CNC router?
TLDR - Budget $4000 Rec for spindle/CNC setup to cut wood/titanium/stainless within reason. Currently looking at Shapeoko XXL, alternatives? Clueless on Spindle.
Currently at my work we have a few ShopBots which I have taught myself to use mostly through YouTube videos and trial and error. I'm definitely no machinist and I taught myself how to machine on our Bridgeport mostly in the same fashion. So the gaps in my knowledge base are pretty broad, some things that may be common knowledge to others may have never even gotten on my radar. I don't know what I don't know I guess you could say.
With that preface I'd like to purchase a CNC router for use at home that I and my father (no machining experience) could use for projects and as a source of side income for him.
I am used to the Vectric Vcarve Pro software from work and I'm fairly certain I'd like to at least start with that software.
I'd like to be able to cut stainless and titanium (I'm totally willing to deal with long cut times) as I'm planning on doing custom prototype knife parts that I can use to proof of concept before getting small batches waterjet cut. Other materials would be woods, carbon fibers, G10.
Budget for CNC router + spindle : $4000 For my router itself I'm looking at the XXL Shapeoko but with my knowledge gaps I'm wondering if I'm totally missing the bus on a better kit machine for my budget and desired materials?
Any suggestions on spindle setup to get that would allow me to better cut my desired materials? I'd like to stay with good old 110v and just plug it in.
Dust collection/work holding etc will be a separate budget and plan.
submitted by
VoopVoop to
hobbycnc
Getting images into CAD programs
Greetings,
I am struggling to get images (.bmp, jpeg, svg, etc ) into programs like Autocad for CAM applications. I've tried "image2cad" with terrible results, and a few online converters with less than great results. The online versions don't create arcs, they just create hundreds of straight lines which makes CamBam, my cam software crash. I currently have access to an old version of AutocadLT and CamBam. for my two main software packages. I've played around with fusion 360 but that does not seem to have any good image conversion functions either. I'm hesitant to spend a lot of money on VcarvePro or Cut2D from Aspire. What does the community use to accomplish this? Thank you
submitted by
Goofy-F00T to
hobbycnc
