Looking to improve PRT

[dengler]

Hey Guys,
We have a Shopbot PRT and are looking to bring the machine back from the dead. It is that or the scrap yard for it.

So what I am looking for is someone Local that can come in a diagnose our issues and lead us in the right direction with the machine.

We use to use Brady, but his last price to come out was way above our budget. We are not looking to completely reinvent this machine. We are okay with the performance that it had out of the box or as close to it as we can come.

Most of the issues are electronic.

Please if you are interested please email me dengler@acedesigns.com

[Brady Watson]

The 1999 PRT Standard that you have @ Ace has paid for itself many times over. Recommendations were made to Ace to upgrade your tool to an Alpha with hardened rails that would both increase throughput & quality as well as alleviate ALL of the issues you are now facing with your overworked & worn out PRT.

In my experience it is cheaper to upgrade to the correct hardware than to be down because you keep putting band aids on it. If you wanted another band aid, I could do this for you dirt cheap. If you want it done properly, with a production duty solution by someone who knows what they are doing...well that is going to cost a little more than a band aid.

Good luck!

-B

[beacon14]

My first ShopBot, purchased in 1999, was a PR, not a PRT. My understanding is that the PRT model was not introduced until several years later? Correct me if I am wrong.

[dengler]

Brady,
I understand your frustrations. You have been out many times before. Many of those visits before I became the CNC manager here. I upgraded the y rails to the new hardened rails and replaced the z rail. So I am making some of the changes that you suggested. Just when they fit into the budget.

I think alot of the issues are electrical now. Yes the x-rails are beat, but when motors are stopping and controls are lost I don't think new rails will solve this. I am going to buy a new wiring harness soon because alot of the wires are breaking now.

I can understand mechanical issues, its the diagnostic of electrical issues that make me scratch my head.

In the end Brady you are right, this machine has served its purpose many times over. But after seeing some of the improvements that members of this forum have done, I think it is possible to make this machine usable. Not great, but usable.


Dan

[Nancy]

Take this private please.