It doesn’t get any better than this. 7 Axis smart CNC is here. This is what the big boys are using…
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In 5 years there will be DIY hardware kits for 7 axis machines for under $2,000. The software will will cost $20,000/yr
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A 5 axis machine is already available for $4,000 (Fusion 360 can create gcode for it.)
I was looking into one of those, but they are way too small.
This video shows how incredibly useful the Shaper Origin really is.
It can be used with a full 4 x 8 sheet of wood (or bigger).
This video shows better how it works;
This should be easy to make (Time consuming, but easy)
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/spyndi/amazing-furniture-invention-magic-sticks/description
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https://printrbot.com/shop/printrbot-crawlbot/
Product Description
The Printrbot Crawlbot is a CNC router that cuts 4’x8′ material, yet occupies a small footprint in your garage. The Crawlbot recently won “Best Large Format CNC” in Make Magazine’s 2015 Digital Fabrication Shootout. Out of the box, the Crawlbot cuts 40″ x 80″ out of a 4’x8′ sheet of plywood.
A few things to know about the The Crawlbot before you buy:
The Crawlbot is a CNC router intended to cut wood and plastic. The Crawlbot is NOT a CNC mill.
The Crawlbot is controlled by the Printrbot CNC app. This app does NOT generate cutting tool paths or g-code.
You will need to know how to use Fusion 360 or another CAD/CAM software to generate g-code files.
Printrbot recommends using Autodesk Fusion 360 for your designs. There are great tutorials provided by Autodesk on creating designs and cutting tool paths. You bring the file. We’ll bring the CNC!
If you have never designed something for a CNC router, or used a CNC router, the Crawlbot carries a steep learning curve. Before buying, be sure you are comfortable with designing your own projects. If you are not familiar with the process of designing your own projects, check out a few Fusion 360 tutorials to see what you are getting into. This is a whole new world of making, so bring your thinking cap!
How about a desktop water jet! $3,599 $3,999
The only downside I immediately see is that it will use about 30 to 40 cents of abrasive per minute (unless you buy it by the ton). In the video they cut a gear that appears to be about 8 or 9 inches in diameter from 3/16 aluminum and it takes about 90 minutes. By my math that is about $27. Seems pretty expensive to me.
But the technology is very cool.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1294137530/the-first-desktop-waterjet-cutter
https://ksr-video.imgix.net/projects/2567739/video-704119-h264_high.mp4
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Hey everyone,
Please be respectful of each other on the forum. Taking a step back all these tools are really cool. It’s bringing so many new people into this field and so many possibilities that were once only available in the factory are now available to us!
I can’t wait to try both of these.
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Thank you Zach. Would it be possible for you to possibly post your feelings about the Shaper once you’ve used it for a while?
I started this thread to show things I find interesting. If you want to discuss them in depth please start a new thread. All these argument posts makes it difficult to find things in the thread. Thanks
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How about a real transforming car?
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Maslow CNC
Open source info Maslow CNC | Hackaday.io
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK-6OKtVRfw&feature=youtu.be
He has even started a website!
That is very creative! I would never have thought a system like that could work.
I am not 100% clear on how he cut out that circle with the M inside it. Since the router bit is always at full depth in the plywood, he must stop it and reposition the router in a new location for each closed path of the project. But how would he be sure he repositions the router in the correct spot?
You are correct that a Z axis is not incorporated but is supposed to be soon. Which is better, > $500 or < $3000?
Take a closer look…there are no closed paths.
It sure looks like many closed paths. For example the middle “V” shape of the M is connected at the bottom and the tops of the “V” are connected to the surrounding circle. The only way to cut the material out of that “V” would be to lift the router and set it back down inside the “V”
is there ? The “V” isn’t connected at the bottom. Or the top left side. Just like the bottom right side of the “M” curves around to start the circle.