3 in 1 CNC

[Simops]

Here is a link to a 3:1 CNC desktop creation from USA.
http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/next-wave-introduces-industry-first-three-function-cnc-piranha-fx/

Looks interesting, Router CNC, Laser Engraving and 3D printing rolled into one package.......small factor but may have a place.......and something I'm sure SB will consider in the future....especially 3D printing, which I believe will only get bigger and more popular in time!

Cheers
Mike

[Kyle Stapleton]

Shopbot has a 3D printer for the desktop already.

[Brady Watson]

Yup...and provisions via PWM modulation for whatever laser you want to add to it...

-B

[Davo]

$5000 vs. $1600.

[WMNH]

Does anyone make a bolt on laser attachment for the shopbot? That could be handy!

[Burkhardt]

Not slagging NextWave but personal experience with their 25"x25" SharkPro product: Interesting starter/learning machine but borderline usable as a router due to lack of rigidity. The entire frame and gantry are made from plastic plates and the linear bearings were unsupported round rods. You could visibly shake the router by hand. I used it for a bunch of projects, sold that machine and moved on.

That said, they improved the Shark model over the years and for such a small machine as mentioned in this post, the construction may well be good enough.

[Brady Watson]

$5000 vs. $1600.

Money isn't everything. I've learned to shop on value. You get what you pay for. With every SB you get included in the price - a premium CAD/CAM package, *FREE* lifetime phone support talking to a real person, and machine that can actually pay for itself doing real work. If you want another toy...well, there you go. If you want something that can earn it's keep and pay for itself, that's money well spent.

-B

[Kyle Stapleton]

Not sure why people are posting on the shopbot web page that is a good idea to buy a different machine?

[mark_stief]

Probably because we're proud of having an open forum and I don't think he was saying to buy it just showing it to us

[knight_toolworks]

looking at the samples it does not look like it is very high resolution. the laser and 3d look less then smooth.

[Davo]

if all it takes is a link to another site to make someone purchase another CNC... I would think SB would have more to worry about than a little forum.

A solid product is not phased by the small fries - SB has reputation and quality, I do not think a little html link is a threat to them.

If people are going to start policing the forums then we need to scrap talking about Vectric, personal companies or anything else not affiliated with "shop bot"

Like Mark said - open forum - knowledge is information, same reason I will ask a question instead of doing a search on the forum - I want new fresh ideas and answers - most of the time the "searched answers" leave me empty and if all people ever do is post links to previous questions that do not satisfy MY question, then whats the point of the forum.

I read some forums and some people sound like they joined a fraternity and give themselves elite status blessing or cursing a post based on their "opinion" of it.

I'd prefer to read all you guys knowledge and fresh ideas so I can grow and learn - I do not learn anything from a personal opinion based on their feeling of how they think the world should work.

I work for a living and am here to learn - not worry about fictitious personal guidelines nor do I have time for it.

[Kyle Stapleton]

It was not the first post that I thought was the problem, it was the 5,000 vs 1,600.

[Davo]

Yea, thats a pretty big price gap, but you also get what you pay for.

Once again, I'm not going to worry about every little post if I have approval, I can't waste my life hoping everyone is happy.

I didn't say go buy it, I simply mentioned the drastic difference in price, the reader chooses to read that in his head how he chooses, not my concern.

[joe]

Here's a problem! If my piano only had 106 keys instead of 88 I'd be able to play much better music.

When told my grandmother I want, I want, she would always say you HAVE. Stop asking! "You Have".

[Simops]

Hey Guys.....let's not get into politics.....I'm a SB supporter as much as you are and posted the original link as an interest piece only and that maybe SB could look at something like a bolt on laser or 3D printer for their products .......or even a standalone 3D printer that is a SB product in the future???

I never meant that link to push another product.....

Anyhow Brady mentioned that SB have already done this, which I didn't know....checked the SB site again but cannot find info on this......is there a link to it???

Cheers

[Brady Watson]

Laser can be controlled in SB3 via PWM settings. There is no official support for this or specific hardware. However, it shouldn't be too hard with a cheapie laser like they have on Ebay.

The 3D printer falls under ShopBot Labs - so it's sorta supported if you are interested. Here's the install PDF (http://www.shopbottools.com/ShopBotDocs/files/3d%20Print%20Head%20Installation%20Guide.pdf) for the Desktop.

I think most get what your intentions were by posting. Not sure about all the other nonsense.

-B

[chiloquinruss]

Thanks for the link to the 3d pdf, very interesting. I personally would love to see a laser attachment though. I have a 3d printer and a laser already but a bot sized laser would be terrific. Russ

[David Iannone]

Russ,

I agree, think a laser attachment for the bot would be the perfect second Z axis for me. I would have to have a special spoil board attachment though I guess.

Dave

[rhfurniture]

Russ,

I agree, think a laser attachment for the bot would be the perfect second Z axis for me. I would have to have a special spoil board attachment though I guess.

Dave

Yes, the laser just seems to be a cylinder with a shank fitted into the collet. Obvious really. Undoubtedly there would be a box of magic to go with it. If it could do a clean cut through 2mm hardwood veneer, then I would have one. Come on shopbot....

And a 3d plastics (or chocolate) printer attachment that I can bolt onto my re-built PRT benchtop - Yes please...

R.

[Bob Eustace]

Bought one Shark - never again!

[Brady Watson]

Laser = expensive for what you guys would want the laser to do. The one shown is just a laser diode, which could be implemented for a few hundred bucks if you wanted to. It would be good for light engraving, just like what was shown on that page.

-B

[maverickx50]

Generally two or three in one machines are a bad idea. Compromises of all sorts make every option less robust or whatever. Lasers and printers need different optimal feeds and speeds. Added reflection smoke etc control either will get in the way or require too much change over time. I'd opt to buy a machine for a specific purpose. Buy another for another need. I'd love to have one of everything, wouldn't we all? I'll just have to stay with what makes me money till that rich uncle dies.

[myxpykalix]

I posted this a couple months ago similarly....
http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?21352-CNC-Laser-3D-printer-all-in-one-interesting&p=178911#post178911

Like Brady says you get what you pay for. Also like Maverick states the changeover time is a hassle....Does Shopsmith ring any bells?

I had one, would cut all my cuts on the table saw attachment, convert it over to the drill only to realize i had to cut other parts and had to reconvert it back to the tablesaw. I sent it back within the 30 days and went and bought all seperate machines cheaper!

I'm not sure i would want these attachments for my bot but would rather have a separate machine. 1) It could be running while your bot is doing something else 2) The dusty environment may have an effect on the other more sensitive attachments 3) I know i'm probably off by 3-4 thousandths and that may affect laser of 3d printer. 4) Currently i have access to large format laser scanners. We're going to be scanning a statue and base of Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee and large indusrtial 3d printers thru the University here.
So these would be toys in comparison.
Here is exactly what you need:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD4EVXkfe0w

[gc3]

Not sure why people are posting on the shopbot web page that is a good idea to buy a different machine?

In today's environment, hoarding knowledge ultimately erodes your power. If you know something very important, the way to get power is by actually sharing it. - Joseph L. Badaracco

quote from artcam forum...