Why not buy 4 shopbots?

[David Iannone]

Yesterday, I went over to visit a company I did some vinyl graphics for a few weeks ago. They are in need of printed graphics, signage ect. for some of the products they manufacture. As I always do with new customers, I explained I can offer carved signs, cnc cut shapes, parts. They said we have the CNC covered.... They have 4 Multicam CNC machines all with automatic tool changers. HOLY COW, how awesome to see those in action, they had 2 of the 4 just plowing through sheet goods at fast jog and cut speeds. stacks of 4x8 sheets in front of the machines ready to cut. I have a 4x8 PRT with no 4g board so to me they looked super fast.

But 2 of the 4 machines were not running. I asked what was wrong with them? One of them has a communication issue with their network, the other had a bad Z motor. Multicam sent them a new motor, but she said when they changed it and plugged it in it was backwards, when it supposed to go up, it instead goes down. (sounds like a simple wire swap in the plug to me? I didn't say that though.) they are waiting on a new motor with the right plug on it.....I thought to myself....I am so glad to have my shopbot. If either one of those problems where going on with my machine I think I could fix it quickly with the support of the SB forum, and or SB tech support.

So my question is...Why not have 4 PRT Alpha machines with toolchangers? Save a ton of money in equipment, and have the best support (in my opinion) out there? They have at least looked at Shopbot because when I told them I had one they knew what it was. I think I know the basic differences, but if I can cut just as fast, and with the same accuracy, its a no brainer right?

Dave

[myxpykalix]

What i have told potential buyers is to also compare forums. You can literally get an answer for your problem 24 hours a day between shopbot daytime support hours and the hours many are on here.:D

[gundog]

Depending on the Multicam model you are looking at it is really comparing apples to oranges. SB is a great tool for what it is and what it is designed to do. But big industrial CNC routers are a different tool than a Shopbot. Industrial tool companies don't use forums for tech support but they are dealing with professional operators who are schooled and trained to run those machines and control systems.

One of the great things about a ShopBot is they are designed for people with little or no CNC experience and that is great for most of us. The big machines have capabilities that a SB can't do or can't do efficiently due to lack of HP and rigidity. They also use professional controls not PC based controls. They have a whole service field with experience to work on these type controls for industry. SB are basically a work on it yourself with tech help from SB. They both have their positive points they are just different animals. MHO

Mike