[mrman]

Little background about me:
Use to be a mold maker, changed gears and now I do rapid prototyping.
I own a couple of VMCs and Lathes, so I can build/make anything for this project.

Budget: $10k. + more if neccesary

Goal:
I'm looking into building a cnc router with tool changer that will cover 4'x8' material. This cnc router will be used in a production enviroment. Possibly be making signs, cabinets, 3d art.

Questions:
I've been doing alot reading on this forum and have some questions.

What kind of tollerances should I be expecting?
Whats a reasonable maximum feed rate for cutting 1/2 MDF?
3D contouring (xyz movements) feed rate?

Equipment Suggestions:
What type of linear guide would fit this budget? Fancy rack and pinion? Ballscrew (available in 8' length)?
Planing on using this router in a production type usage. What type of motor? servo/steeper? What size? Brand? Cost?
Table vaccum? cost?
Table: Extruded alumin stregth? Should I go with steel tubing instead? Flatness would be a concern.
Concerns:
I plan on also cutting 1/4" 6061 alumin. Is $10k a reasonable budget?
Since this is going to be a production machine; speed and accuracy is a major concern

[dertsap]

i would say servo and ballscrews and linear slides ,steel construction ,
this would also be a great option
http://www.mechmate.com/ nice machine and with 10g to sink into it you would have a deadly system ,plans are free to download

[ger21]

The Tool change spindle might be close to $10K.

For cutting 1/2" MDF, a 10HP spindle should easily be capable of 1000ipm with the right tooling. Whether the rest of the machine is up to it is a different story.

[ksubenny]

I'm going to say the expensive part is going to be the spindle/tool changer. I agree with the previous posts of going steel frame, servo and ballscrews for motion and THK style linear rails for guides. I would probably start looking on ebay and some machine salvage companies to see what you can find for spindle's and tool changers set up for like an ER32 or ER 40 collet and see what those are going to run you. Your ability to find/comfort with using a used tool change/spindle will likely determine how much money you're going to have to drop on that aspect.