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  1. #21
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    599
    Quote Originally Posted by max_imum2000 View Post
    i sure didnt look its running dry to me

    seeing your locaton, do you ever see any multicam machines out there? Multicam international is out in saudi i believe. I always wonder how many machines they sell.

  2. #22
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Posts
    167
    well , where i live i didnt see any multicam machines around.
    there are more of heavy japannese made cncs (tawiannese machine also)

    i dont know about saudia arabia. in my opinon, i dont think they sell that good, or maybe they do and i dont know about it.

  3. #23
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    599
    Quote Originally Posted by max_imum2000 View Post
    well , where i live i didnt see any multicam machines around.
    there are more of heavy japannese made cncs (tawiannese machine also)

    i dont know about saudia arabia. in my opinon, i dont think they sell that good, or maybe they do and i dont know about it.
    well the factory (in texas) Puts out about 1000 machines a year now, so sales are going quite well.

  4. #24
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Posts
    1238
    Quote Originally Posted by SCOTTY76SA View Post
    On the file menu there are no import command.
    A bit OT for this thread, but to add to the answer above, you need to have your drawing in 'vector' format. Once done, then;

    -Importing a file is done is under FILE (top left of Mach screen)

    -Then LOAD G-code

    -This brings up the OPEN screen (select the file then click to open)

    Be sure your open screen is showing the file folder that you have saved your vector drawings in.

    Mach has a drawing (in it's Gcode file) a file named ROADRUNNER.TAP that you can practice with as is.

  5. #25
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Posts
    2415
    MACH does not LOAD anything but G-code type files (tap, txt. nc. etc). A drawing file in vector format (DXF. PLT) needs to go through some form of CAM that lets you define the cut processes (tools, feedrates, pierce height, offsets, lead-ins) and then it Post Processes the choices into G-Code. G-Code is pretty specific to a machine/controller so just any g-code may not work.

    LazyCAM is a low end CAM app that turns vector files into G-CODE optimized for MACH. It does not have a lot of the features of a standalone CAM app like SheetCAM.

  6. #26
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    599
    anyways besides all the mach going back on topic to thc alternatives. The roller ball head is ok if you do ligh gauge material, im sure someone could come up with some great thc system that maybe is cheaper. But why reinvent the wheel?

  7. #27
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Posts
    2415
    How much cheaper than $350.00 does it have to be!! Even if you factor in MACH3 at $159.00 and another drive for the Z you are still below $650.00 WITH the control software.

    Rutex has a DIY plasma controller that will run you about $750.00 to $800.00 and your support will be marginal at best. Nearest other finished THC is right at $2,000 with no control software.

    The THC300 from CampbellDesigns (my original analog design) uses knob controls to set the height so you have to "chase the gap" as you cut but once set for a given tip and material it needs no further adjustment. I cut miles of steel with one until I designed the newer Digital THC we currently sell.

    I designed the THC300 originally to run my own table because I didn't like the design of the Rutex model and the next step (at that time) was well over $2500.00. That made the THC cost more than my whole table and software combined!

    I have sold a lot of units to guys that tried the drag tip and/or roller ball approach. If it worked that good I would think they would stick with it. The combined sales of the THC300 and the DTHC MP1000-THC exceed 500 units to date.

    There is a lot more to THC than just reading some volts. It's kinda looking at the outside of an F16 and saying: "hey some aluminum and plastic.....how hard could it be!!"

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