Hello,
I run a company that produces control devices for the film industry, and to do this, I do a lot of CNC cutting, usually using Deckel five axis machines, and Sodick EDM machines. I am lucky enough to have a good relationship with an incredible machine shop who do all my production machining, however I am looking for something of my own for simpler parts.
I am moving into a hopefully quite large industrial unit / warehouse in High Wycombe, UK, and I will finally have some space to build the router that I have been thinking about for years.
I have decided to build a 1x2 meter router table (30cm Z axis) for cutting MDF, composite materials (chemiwood) acrylic and similar plastics. If the feed system is strong enough (as I am hoping) I would like to be able to cut aluminium too, but this is not essential.
I have a design down, and I am sure that with my steel worker and welder friends, along with my machine shop contacts and powder coaters/anodisers, I can produce a very solid and 'legitimate' looking CNC router table.
Now I have one problem here, and this is all to do with the software. As I work in the film industry, I am an avid Mac user (Can't use anything else, as the software i need is made by Apple) and I am aware that macs have no place in the CNC world. I am perfectly happy to buy a PC and set it up for CNC use, but I have no idea what I am doing here. Im not sure what software I need, and how to setup all the systems that we need.
I have also got a tool change system planned, and I would like to use a JoeCNC style depth gauge (with a plate and electrical contact) but all of this would need setting up with the software, and again, I am lost.
What I am looking for ideally, is someone who could maybe team up with me and help me work out all the software. Of course, if you want to use my router to cut out stuff for your own projects, then this is absolutely fine.
I am based in Buckinghamshire, and my unit will be in High Wycombe.
If anyone thinks they can help, it would be great to talk, as I am sure that between us we could produce a very capable machine.
Thanks,
Pete.