Three phase power and over $100,000.00 by the time it is up and running no doubt. I priced all the top machines years ago and KOMO was one of the best.
Onsrud is the only router I have ever worked on. My last job we had one that would run a 4x8 sheet and one that was about 5 times bigger. Loved work ing on them Great machines. Now Im running a tooling shop and just can not justify a nice router unfortunately .
Awesome, thanks for the info. The avid cnc looks like a nice option for the price. Will pm about your machine.
Looks great. I dont know enough yet to build a cnc, but it is good to know the option is out there down the road.For 5 grand you can build your own cnc.....i built my cnc for roughly 5k, it’s 96”x60” cutting area is roughly 90”x54”
dont ask me for plans. I built it all out of my head
cnc are Quite simple...don’t be intimidated by it. I used ball screws and regret it....the machine has to run slower to avoid backlash. But it’s highly precise and accurate.
frame is made out of 4” i beams...gantry and rails are extruded aluminum. All mounting for routers and bearings are solid aluminum.
i used 2 axis for the y, 1 for x, one for z, and one for my rotation axis. software I use is Mach 3 and cam Is fusion 360 or deskproto.
some photos of the build
There are currently cutters on the market that will give you a polished finish but I don't use them to process Corian.
Great info. I was wondering how much additional will need to be spent, as many of the cnc manufacturers list prices for the "mechanical" portion of the machine only.
You can start with a simple CAD program like Cam Bam $99.00 or spend thousands on the software like I did lol! Mine is connected to a laser survey system to make countertops and related items. I have close to $11,000.00 in the software and laser alone. There are other Penny CAD systems on the market as well. We use the Cam Bam to convert. dfx files to G code to run the machine.
Stay with a router, and plan on multi passes. I have around 20 routers and more carbide bits than I care to admit. CNC’s cannot do what I can with a router unless you start to spend in the 130K range. Most lack the rigity that one needs when machining 3/4”-1” acrylic. I have been building tanks for a living for the last 24 years, and am always learning new things. Lasers heat stress the material which you don’t want. Check out my FB and Instagram at Clear Fabrications.
Awesome looking work. I may have to look you up for some frag tanks this summer. I am sure you are a wealth of knowledge. I am just starting in the acrylic/machining world so I will have endless questions haha..but everything is pointing to investing in a router vs laser for acrylic. I will be working with thinner material to start, but I assume the above info applies to 1/4-1/2" acrylic.
I was wondering about the 20 routers makes sense now. I am definitely liking the avid machines. I gave them a quick call and their machines are compatible with fusion 360. The only software I know currently is Acad. The rep wasn't sure if compatible but they are both autodesk products so I'm sure there is a way.. I'm considering the 4x4 or 4x8 table. I agree best way is to learn by doing so I like the idea of building it. I have educated myself about acrylic to the point of knowing what type to use for different applications, and different cuts/bits/ and speeds required for weld cuts vs finished edges. I have more to learn before I make a significant investment in material. I can see the importance of a good supplier, seems like prices skyrocketed overnight especially for cell cast. I also like the idea of getting a decent machine to start.
This is great, been contemplating building a cnc to cut thin plywood and acrylic. Seems like a small router is the way to go since a laser doesn't see to cut clear acrylic.For 5 grand you can build your own cnc.....i built my cnc for roughly 5k, it’s 96”x60” cutting area is roughly 90”x54”
dont ask me for plans. I built it all out of my head
cnc are Quite simple...don’t be intimidated by it. I used ball screws and regret it....the machine has to run slower to avoid backlash. But it’s highly precise and accurate.
frame is made out of 4” i beams...gantry and rails are extruded aluminum. All mounting for routers and bearings are solid aluminum.
i used 2 axis for the y, 1 for x, one for z, and one for my rotation axis. software I use is Mach 3 and cam Is fusion 360 or deskproto.
some photos of the build
Have you made a decision on this? I am in the same boat and am probably leaning toward a router. Seen a few vids of a laser vs acrylic and seems like it's tough to cut through clear acrylic using acrylic.
