[ReefkeeperCNC]

Hello,
I am new to this forum. I have purchased this CNC machine pictured here. It looks older but well built and was removed in working condition from a trade machine school. I do not know much more than it is 800 watts, 20" x 18" x 4" travels. It was purchased at auction and I am waiting for it to arrive.
I am used to working on old Fanuc G&M controllers. I will be producing simple parts from plastics and wood. I am told that this machine is PC based and I do not know much about the software. I am wondering what would be the simplest program to get me started, and inexpensive. I am not very good with CAD based programs so simple is best. Also, if anyone knows anything about this machine, please reply. It is made by Pheonix.
Thanks
Ed

[unterhaus]

I'm just guessing, but it looks like a centroid. They are not exactly the friendliest bunch, I wouldn't expect any help from them. And the logo on there looks like the University of Phoenix logo from some time back. I wonder if it is a trainer?

[ReefkeeperCNC]

Hello,
Thanks for the reply. It was listed with a Centroid machine and they looked very much alike. It looks rugged for the sized travels but I haven't seen it upclose yet. I will be machining mostly acrylic and need to get only +/-.010.
It was taken from one of the Orage Country Flordia Vocational schools. It was a training machine. I remember one about that size at the Machine trades school I went to in here NY, but it was a DIY that the class built. I never got to use it then but remember it did pretty impressive work. I figure if it was in a school, it has to be halfway decent and is said to be removed in working order.
I guess I threw the dice on this one...we'll see what I got when it gets here!
Do you know anything about the type of construction Centroid uses? Probably a stepper design, hoping for ballscrews! I'd be bumming if it were leadscrews.

[unterhaus]

I think at that time centroid was mostly selling controls and steppers, so the machine itself probably wasn't made by them. I used to know someone that worked there, but he has left town.

[ReefkeeperCNC]

Any Idea what is inside the controller in terms of quailty?