Re: Need Machine Recommendation
Because you are not going to be cutting anything, just about any machine with the needed work envelope will work. Most likely the glue dispensing equipment and vision system will have less mass than the normal cutting spindle. The mechanics of the system while important to a degree, the more important hardware will be the electronics.
One of the considerations is how it is going to be controlled. With machine vision and a dispensing system, this would imply a controller that is substantially different than a normal hobby class CNC router, where the machine frame can be an inexpensive hobby class system. As long as your controller can run stepper motors then again just about anything will work. I don't think you are going to run the system an off-the-shelf hobby class controller.
I mention hobby class a number of times, this is based on your budget numbers. And I assume these numbers is only for the mechanical and motor hardware.
Jim Dawson
Sandy, Oregon, USA