this is going to be a trainwreck, i'm warning you guys now. I'm not an engineer, (just an architect & welder) so I've decided to ask for some help. I've been looking at torchmate machines for a while now, but $8000 is a big chunk for me. I've seen all these home built projects and I'm eager to start one myself. I'm hoping to build a 4'X8' table, and the table and gantry aren't an issue, and now that I see some pictures, the bearing system isn't bad either. The questions I do have relate to the motor drive mechanism and computer control.
I've seen gear drives, belt drives and screw drives. which one is best, and which one is easiest? Once i match up a motor to the drive, how does the computer know how fast, and the distance of travel for the torch head? Or is that something that's programmed in once everything is built and the limits are established?
I run autocad all day at work. at home I run a mac. would I have to run another computer with the machine, and a the program and all?
Where would I be able to find all the parts, motors, computer parts and all for it?
any help you guys could give me would be much appreciated, I've read through some other posts and everyone seems very helpful.