AVID CNC PRO 48x48 Purchase (Mach 4 Concerns)
Quick Question for those in the know. Looking at getting the AVID CNC PRO 48x48 with the Nema 34 Option, Spindle, Etc...
Looking at about 11,000 for the machine. I am about 90% sold on the machine. I also like if I grow I can convert to 48x96 easily.
Anyhow prior to finding AVID I was pretty set on a Camaster. The Stinger 1 24x48 is 8K base price, then by the time you add the spindle, laser and a few other options you are at 10-11k and still have a benchtop machine that's 24x48
Step up to the Stinger II and you can get a 36x48 which base starts at 12k so you are at least at 15k with the options.
At the end of the day my only hangup is Mach 4 - I know Camaster uses WinCNC and that appears to be a much better controller.
I come from running some HAAS CNC machines and Takisawa Lathes. I know both the HAAS control and Fanuc G-Code.
I plan to design in Fusion 360 and create my post from there as well.
Ay thoughts of opinions? This will be in my home shop and used for a side business. Basically routing custom inlay cutting boards, Realtor gifts, some furniture and other misc items as I get more creative. I would rather make the deep initial investment in a machine that can do more than I need it to, until the time comes I need that
Any thoughts on my ramblings? I'm just concerned about Mach 4 really.
Re: AVID CNC PRO 48x48 Purchase (Mach 4 Concerns)
I wouldn't worry about it, as Avid will provide excellent support for it.
There are probably well over 100,000 Mach3 users, and anyone that's used both will tell you that Mach4 is much better.
Mach4 was based on Fanuc code, so you shouldn't have any issues with it.
And keep in mind that WinCNC is about $2000-$3000, depending on options. Mach4 is $200, plus another $200 for the ESS that Avid uses with it. So that's part of the price difference between the Camaster and AvidCNC.
Re: AVID CNC PRO 48x48 Purchase (Mach 4 Concerns)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ger21
I wouldn't worry about it, as Avid will provide excellent support for it.
There are probably well over 100,000 Mach3 users, and anyone that's used both will tell you that Mach4 is much better.
Mach4 was based on Fanuc code, so you shouldn't have any issues with it.
And keep in mind that WinCNC is about $2000-$3000, depending on options. Mach4 is $200, plus another $200 for the ESS that Avid uses with it. So that's part of the price difference between the Camaster and AvidCNC.
Thanks for the info. As you know Post Processors can do weird things at times, so it's nice to know some G-Code to make quick line edits. I had read online that the cut path was far superior on both WinCNC and UCCNC - Can find quite a bit of Mach 3 info, not so much on Mach 4
Will definitely be challenging going from full on CNC mills and Lathes to a CNC Router. Hopefully less headache as well with a simple controller.
I think this setup will do more than I need......overall I think it's a better TOTAL package than Camaster Stinger and ShopSabre those are both great machines, just cant justify the price to get my 4x4 and still have to upgrade to a spindle. With the Avid setup I can get the larger steppers, spindle and the 4x4 table for a fair price.
2 Attachment(s)
Re: AVID CNC PRO 48x48 Purchase (Mach 4 Concerns)
I'm an ex Mach3 and current Mach4 user. The difference between Mach3 and 4 is night an day. I use both Fusion 360 and Vectric Aspire for my CAD/CAM. If you are up to speed on Fusion, your golden. If not, you have a learning curve ahead of you. I haven't checked lately to see if Fusion has added a Mach4 post. Lately, I've been using Aspire. If not, use the Mach3 post. it works fine.
For the kind of work you describe, a Vectric product (V-Carve Pro, or Aspire) may be a better bet than Fusion (even though Fusion is free for the hobby version). Fusion is great for a lot of things, but not great for V-carve - at least it wasn't last time I tried. Sign work (V-carve, raised letters, artwork, etc) is where Vectric really shines. There's a learning curve, but not too steep. Many great tutorial videos online. Vectric is also good for inlay work, which is something you mentioned.
If you decide to go with Vectric, Aspire's claim to fame is 3d work. V-carve Pro will import one 3d image, and that's it. Aspire allow importation of multiple images, and allows you to create 3d images for carving. Also, Aspire comes with a whole lot of 3d artwork, which is nice. You can download trials of both. They are fully functional, except you cannot download the cut files.
Since you mentioned furniture, I suggest you consider a program called JointCam. It is designed to cut dovetails, box joints, and mortises and tenons. To use it on an Avid 4 x 4, you will need to modify your build by setting the front rail back a few inches to allow you to cut vertically off the front end of the machine, or you will need to cut a hole in the spoilboard. The set back is no big thing, except you reduce your Y axis cut envelope by the amount of your setback. Cutting off the front is a whole lot easier. Look at ger21's post above, He is the designer and has a link to it at the bottom of his post.
My 4 x 4 is of my own design, but I am using the same steppers (NEMA 34) and the Z axis they sell. They are very nice.
Here are photos of the jig I built for dovetails, etc I built for my machine. I can cut from both the left and right sides. It's a takeoff from the Leigh D4R Pro.
https://www.cnczone.com/forums/attac...d=430910&stc=1
https://www.cnczone.com/forums/attac...d=430912&stc=1
Finally, here is a link to my build thread. It contains useful information about building with 80/20 extrusions, including all the milling I found necessary.
https://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-c...machinist.html
Gary
Re: AVID CNC PRO 48x48 Purchase (Mach 4 Concerns)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GME
I'm an ex Mach3 and current Mach4 user. The difference between Mach3 and 4 is night an day. I use both Fusion 360 and Vectric Aspire for my CAD/CAM. If you are up to speed on Fusion, your golden. If not, you have a learning curve ahead of you. I haven't checked lately to see if Fusion has added a Mach4 post. Lately, I've been using Aspire. If not, use the Mach3 post. it works fine.
For the kind of work you describe, a Vectric product (V-Carve Pro, or Aspire) may be a better bet than Fusion (even though Fusion is free for the hobby version). Fusion is great for a lot of things, but not great for V-carve - at least it wasn't last time I tried. Sign work (V-carve, raised letters, artwork, etc) is where Vectric really shines. There's a learning curve, but not too steep. Many great tutorial videos online. Vectric is also good for inlay work, which is something you mentioned.
If you decide to go with Vectric, Aspire's claim to fame is 3d work. V-carve Pro will import one 3d image, and that's it. Aspire allow importation of multiple images, and allows you to create 3d images for carving. Also, Aspire comes with a whole lot of 3d artwork, which is nice. You can download trials of both. They are fully functional, except you cannot download the cut files.
Since you mentioned furniture, I suggest you consider a program called JointCam. It is designed to cut dovetails, box joints, and mortises and tenons. To use it on an Avid 4 x 4, you will need to modify your build by setting the front rail back a few inches to allow you to cut vertically off the front end of the machine, or you will need to cut a hole in the spoilboard. The set back is no big thing, except you reduce your Y axis cut envelope by the amount of your setback. Cutting off the front is a whole lot easier. Look at ger21's post above, He is the designer and has a link to it at the bottom of his post.
My 4 x 4 is of my own design, but I am using the same steppers (NEMA 34) and the Z axis they sell. They are very nice.
Here are photos of the jig I built for dovetails, etc I built for my machine. I can cut from both the left and right sides. It's a takeoff from the Leigh D4R Pro.
https://www.cnczone.com/forums/attac...d=430910&stc=1
https://www.cnczone.com/forums/attac...d=430912&stc=1
Finally, here is a link to my build thread. It contains useful information about building with 80/20 extrusions, including all the milling I found necessary.
https://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-c...machinist.html
Gary
Awesome info. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to reply to my post. Sounds like Mach 4 will suffice. I don't want to be crippled with small things slowing down my purchase!!!!
Re: AVID CNC PRO 48x48 Purchase (Mach 4 Concerns)
I have a used multicam for sale and have had two different guys with the cncrp pro machines looking to upgrade to a stiffer machine. Coming from a machine shop type of machine, I think you may be dissapointed with the lack of rigidity. If you use it gently, you can probably get by with it. If you push it hard, I think you may be unhappy with cncrp.
Re: AVID CNC PRO 48x48 Purchase (Mach 4 Concerns)
I have a 5x10 Avid Pro machine with linear rails and use it for my home theater subwoofer business. I wish I had spent the $20,000+ more for the Camaster Cobra, which would be a stiffer, more capable machine with the HUGE benefit of having an ATC (automatic tool changer). But I didn’t have the extra $20K so I bought the CNCRP Pro and it has been making me money for the past 3+ years. I’d love to upgrade to the Camaster Cobra but even cutting slower, I’m not anywhere close to production limited with my current machine. I’d love to have a Porsche but my Honda is doing just fine. :)
Re: AVID CNC PRO 48x48 Purchase (Mach 4 Concerns)
There's a 5 year old 4x8 Stinger with ATC for sale on the Camaster forum for $19,000.
Re: AVID CNC PRO 48x48 Purchase (Mach 4 Concerns)
Thanks to all who commented. Pulled the trigger and ordered the Pro 4x4 last week. About 4-5 weeks out I guess. Going to be a long wait!
Re: AVID CNC PRO 48x48 Purchase (Mach 4 Concerns)
Congrats, AvidCNC is usually conservative, you will probably have it before 4-5 weeks.
Re: AVID CNC PRO 48x48 Purchase (Mach 4 Concerns)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
nlancaster
Congrats, AvidCNC is usually conservative, you will probably have it before 4-5 weeks.
You are correct Sir. Avid shipped out all of my components at about 3 weeks in less the spindle which is on backorder and the 80/20 which will drop ship.
I now have 80% of the components sitting in my garage. Still no shipping info from 80/20 hard to believe that will take 4-5 weeks before it ships out. The plan is to build everything, then the spindle should be arriving soon. Kinda bummed sitting around waiting :(
Re: AVID CNC PRO 48x48 Purchase (Mach 4 Concerns)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
RNGPRODUCTS
You are correct Sir. Avid shipped out all of my components at about 3 weeks in less the spindle which is on backorder and the 80/20 which will drop ship.
I now have 80% of the components sitting in my garage. Still no shipping info from 80/20 hard to believe that will take 4-5 weeks before it ships out. The plan is to build everything, then the spindle should be arriving soon. Kinda bummed sitting around waiting :(
I've bought a lot of stuff from 80/20 over the years. I've never had to wait anywhere near 4 weeks from order to receipt - even with stuff that isn't in stock lengths. I get my orders on my doorstep within 10 days or less of making them.
When I bought the extrusions for my current machine, it was during a rare 15% off sale. There was a caution that orders may be delayed because of volume. My order was placed Nov. 27, 2018. Despite practically everything requiring cutting to length and cutting features, the order shipped on Nov. 29. and was on my doorstep within a week thereafter. I'm in Washington State (a couple of hours south of Avid). 8020 is just outside Columbia City, Indiana on the route to Ft. Wayne, In. Once out the door, 8020 orders are generally on the road to me for a week. Incomprehensible to me why you are left waiting so long for them to just to get the order out the door.