I don't yet own a Shopbot, but think it is what I am looking for. I also have not yet talked directly with Shopbot, as I'm looking for input from the other side of the sales counter (not saying they wouldn't be forthcoming and honest, but you understand...)
What I plan on using it for is making grips and the such for things like compound bows and knives, where I want to incorporate designs and patterns into composites and woods that I can't do by hand. Currently I have to have the item in hand to fit what I make by hand. My thought is that the probe should be able to get me a close enough reading of the original grip to have a base outline that will match up without having to have the item in hand. Is this the kind of experience many of you have with the probe?
I've read that it can be hard to clean up the lines and image... I guess depending on the complication of the item being copied? I also want to know if the probe will find the holes in the center areas of the grip to give enough of an indicator of where the holes are to make it accurate, generally 1/4" or less in diameter, but critical in position. And lastly which software might be the best/easiest to move those digitized patterns to for tweeking and addition of 3d patterns to be included. For the most part, all these items are just dome shaped on top with gently curves, so there isn't too much for the probe to find in terms of fine detail. My plan is to be able to get a grip form a customer, for instance a bow grip plate, copy that exact outline and layout to the 3d system, add a touch or two and then cut out a new grip in exotic wood or something like G10 handle material.
Any suggestions....Thoughts.......?
Thanks in advance