Exciting New Release from Shaper: Plate Universal Template

[Chip S.]

Shaper has announced their newest product, Plate, a universal template for the Origin Handheld CNC Router. Designed to simplify the installation of hardware, inlay bow ties, route system 32 holes, round corners, and much more. Shaper has provided videos for some of these common applications which are viewable on the Shaper Plate page of our site.

 

[Imemiter]

That is kind of exciting. It makes me wonder if anyone's working on a "smart" template that could be used with a standard router. Seems like it wouldn't be too complicated to make one that'd work with simple shapes.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Shaper has announced their newest product, Plate, a universal template for the Origin Handheld CNC Router. Designed to simplify the installation of hardware, inlay bow ties, route system 32 holes, round corners, and much more. Shaper has provided videos for some of these common applications which are viewable on the Shaper Plate page of our site.

I literally just saw the Youtube video about this. Then I went to the website expecting to see it front and center....nothing.
I see it now on toolnirvana, $375. But not for a couple of months?

 

[squall_line]

I haven't watched all of the videos, but it seems like it's basically a Shaper Workstation that you can "take to the material"?

I hope that the Shaper Tape wasn't too large of a percentage of the company's revenue stream, as they finally seem to be providing ways to essentially reuse shaper tape for smaller projects (Workstation and Template).

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I haven't watched all of the videos, but it seems like it's basically a Shaper Workstation that you can "take to the material"?

I hope that the Shaper Tape wasn't too large of a percentage of the company's revenue stream, as they finally seem to be providing ways to essentially reuse shaper tape for smaller projects (Workstation and Template).

People have been making fixtures all along to try to cut down on the "wasting" of tape. It mostly applies to smaller repetitive parts. The real beauty of the system though, is the portability, which will always require tape. You could literally put an inlay on each step of your stairs at home, or in the middle of the dining table (without moving it) or anywhere else you could imagine.

 

[Chip S.]

Another announcement from Shaper. STUDIO, their new design tool will be available on a subscription basis. Free trials are being offered, as well as a basic plan at no cost.

 

[4nthony]

I've watched the video on the Plate a few times.

For those that install hardware with the Shaper, is this a game changer or just a nice version of a jig others typically make for hardware installation? Do the templates downloaded from the hardware catalog take the Plate dimensions into consideration and automatically place the template on the workpiece? Or would you still have to create scan each time you use it and manually place the template using grid coordinates.

I noticed the Shaper community had plans for the Workstation before they produced an actual workstation product. Similar scenario?

Would love to hear some thoughts about it. Hopefully they'll release more in-depth videos soon.

 

[rmhinden]

Another announcement from Shaper. STUDIO, their new design tool will be available on a subscription basis. Free trials are being offered, as well as a basic plan at no cost.

That looks pretty nice.  I have used the Shaper Labs free tool, the new Studio tool adds what was missing from the Shaper Labs tool.  Specifically the ability in import and export designs, fine tune cuts, and reviewing designs.  In my view, well worth the money.

Bob

 

[rmwarren]

I've watched the video on the Plate a few times.

For those that install hardware with the Shaper, is this a game changer or just a nice version of a jig others typically make for hardware installation? Do the templates downloaded from the hardware catalog take the Plate dimensions into consideration and automatically place the template on the workpiece? Or would you still have to create scan each time you use it and manually place the template using grid coordinates.

I noticed the Shaper community had plans for the Workstation before they produced an actual workstation product. Similar scenario?

Would love to hear some thoughts about it. Hopefully they'll release more in-depth videos soon.

Some assumptions/speculation here but from what I saw the hardware in the library has custom anchor points. If there is a built-in grid that aligns with the center point on the plate's guides, then it should allow placement of the hardware without needing to scan/grid repeatedly. I don't do a lot of hardware myself so it's of limited benefit to me.

I speculated on the SO forum we'd see a "J" firmware release this fall, that's where an expanded grid feature would logically show up.

What's got me intrigued are the threaded fixture attachment holes along the edges, I can see a lot of uses where you take the plate to the material versus workstation where the material must come to it.

I'm invested in the "system" now and use it pretty frequently, it's a no-brainer addition to the shop. Also, Studio is going to save a lot of time in the current design in F360/export/upload/walk to the shop/need to tweak/walk back to the office... loop. That's worth a hundred bucks a year hands down.

RMW
 

 

[woodferret]

Some assumptions/speculation here but from what I saw the hardware in the library has custom anchor points. If there is a built-in grid that aligns with the center point on the plate's guides, then it should allow placement of the hardware without needing to scan/grid repeatedly. I don't do a lot of hardware myself so it's of limited benefit to me.

I think the two slot pins on either side of the window gives you the two horizontal 'center' grid points (assuming the 1/4 shank probe).  The hole at the top above the zero mark is offset to the left.  Ideally, you only need to do this grid once forever.

 

[Chip S.]

Starting September 14th, package deals which include Plate will be offered. Purchasing it with the Origin router will cost $100 less than purchasing the items separately. Purchasing Plate, Origin, as well as Workstation together, will cost $150 less than purchasing them separately. Please note that while Origin and Workstation are available for immediate shipment, Plate would ship when it is released in mid-October.

Also, Shaper has announced a price increase effective 10/27/22 on all products except Plate. If you've been considering an Origin, now is the time to pick one up as it will be going up by $300 to $2899. Current owners may want to stock up on Shaper Tape which will be going up $4 per roll.

 

[Gregor]

As the Plate, opposed to Workstation which is IMHO kind of a fixed-in-shop thing, seems to be aimed at mobile use:
Is it built to fit inside a Systainer for safe transportation?

 

[Michael Kellough]

As the Plate, opposed to Workstation which is IMHO kind of a fixed-in-shop thing, seems to be aimed at mobile use:
Is it built to fit inside a Systainer for safe transportation?

I don’t know what Systainer it might fit in but here are the dimensions.
Maybe someone will create some fittings to fit the label slots on the front of Systainers that can attach to the Plate.

362mm (14.25”)
Width

450mm
Height.  (17.7”)

6.45mm (1/4”)
Thickness

2.04kg
Weight

160mm
Cut Window Width

120mm
Cut Window Height

 

[woodferret]

As the Plate, opposed to Workstation which is IMHO kind of a fixed-in-shop thing, seems to be aimed at mobile use:
Is it built to fit inside a Systainer for safe transportation?

Unfortunately no.  Because of the bearing surface the Shaper needs, it's kinda wide-fat.  And to have enough tape forward when you're hitting the +50mm mark (cutting grid is -50mm to +50mm), it extends out front pretty far.

* I made a quick-dirty MDF version using their base dimensions to get a feel for using it.

If you're transporting it, I'd probably make a slim padded plywood case for it and use those 3d printed tloc feet/nubs to stack it on the very top.  Put some LED lights inside so you get the full macguffin.

Sadly, if you're doing edge work like SOSS hinges, you're going to also need to transport a shopmade fence which unfortunately would be even wider and not fit in any systainer other than maybe TLOC 4 or 5.

 

[Chip S.]

We're now able to offer package deals which include Plate. Also, Shaper is offering a promotional deal through 9/28/22 when purchasing the Origin router, whether by itself or with Plate and/or Workstation. Receive free: Customizable Systainer, O-flute router bit, 2-hour training course, and project plans for a record player cabinet. Finally, a reminder that the cost of Origin is increasing by $300 on 10/27/22.