General/General International CNC Router Table at Tools-Plus, Video

[Tools-Plus Tom]

I know its not a Festool item but I figured some of you may be interested to see this. We recently made a video of our General Rep doing a demo of their new line of CNC router tables. The software used with these router tables is shockingly easy. We simply loaded an image of our logo and adjusted the detail level for it to pick up. We typed in some text and then we selected the material and tool to use and we were ready to load it up and run it on the router. On the router end we just loaded the file, locked down the wood, zeroed out the router and were ready to go. There are a few other steps involved in setup and installation, but once you have it setup in your shop as far as running something simple like our sign goes it really is that easy. Check out our video here
Basically this thing is just really cool and it only took our sales rep about 20 minutes to teach me how to make a sign. Its not in the video but a couple of months back he was here with the unit and I made a birthday gift for a friend on a 12x12 piece of oak. Its just really easy.

 

[Les]

When will info be available on your web site?

 

[Brice Burrell]

I've got to say I have no need for a CNC router table, that doesn't mean I don't secretly want one.  ;D Any idea on pricing.

 

[Tools-Plus Tom]

We are waiting on our rep as far as pricing goes. I should be able to get you more information on monday.

 

[Tools-Plus Tom]

I found this on the General site earlier this morning.

 

[mattfc]

quite expensive.. compared to http://www.cnc-router-routers.com

 

[Tools-Plus Tom]

There is a significant price difference between these two units, however the comparison is not apples to apples. I think the General CNC is more comparable to the full units on the bottom of the page. The general unit is coming with more than many other units and also has different features. Like any good tool there is always one that could be bought for less, but that does not make it the right choice. I guess it really depends on how the unit is going to be used.

Here are some of the specs for the general if you would like to compare, though you will have to do a bit of metric conversion.
X axis cutting capacity 24?
Y axis cutting capacity 36?
Z axis cutting capacity 2.5?
Positional accuracy .004?
Overall height 52.5?
Router speed 8,000-25,000 rpm
Router Bosch 2.25 variable speed
Motor type Low backlash stepper
Bearing type Preloaded linear
Table surface T-Slot/MDF
Computer Customer supplied (Windows XP or higher)
Programming software V-Carve Pro (version 4.6)
Cutting speeds 0-300 inches per minute
Traversing speeds 0-600 inches per minute
Power requirement 110 volt, 15 amp
Operating software Gorilla CNC
Collets ? inch (qty 1)
? inch (qty 1)

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Interesting.  But aren't there competing CNC machines that can be setup to use with drawing tools, plasma cutters and other tooling as well as a router?  If not, someone ought to make and offer them, since the basics of precision X and Y axis control are needed for all, and Z-axis control is also needed to due topographical work.

Dave R.

 

[mattfc]

Here are some of the specs for the general if you would like to compare, though you will have to do a bit of metric conversion.
X axis cutting capacity 24?
Y axis cutting capacity 36?
Z axis cutting capacity 2.5?
Positional accuracy .004?
Overall height 52.5?
Router speed 8,000-25,000 rpm
Router Bosch 2.25 variable speed
Motor type Low backlash stepper
Bearing type Preloaded linear
Table surface T-Slot/MDF
Computer Customer supplied (Windows XP or higher)
Programming software V-Carve Pro (version 4.6)
Cutting speeds 0-300 inches per minute
Traversing speeds 0-600 inches per minute

The X & Y on the unit I posted the link to is about:-

S-400 which cost about 3000USD
16in X by 12inch Y, and 4.5in Z for the S-400

S720 for 3900USD
28in X, 16inch Y and 4.5in Z

The Traverse speeds are slower (100inch per minute) although it would be less material since your cutting bit wouldn't keep up. The accuracy seems to depend
a) on the resolution of the stepper motors and
b) on the quality of the lead screws or carriage mechanisms (e.g. positioning accuracy isn't the limiting factor is you have backlash/movement/slack on the axis).

The CNS Step routers have motors with 1600 steps per rev, giving a theoretical resolution of 0.002mm, 0.0001in.

Its an interesting one, I don't know what the best balance is, but obviously depending on the application, there must be an optimal traverse vs accuracy balance (as dictated by the pitch on the lead screws.

The CNC machines mentioned above have a EURO mouting neck (43mm) and ship a 1050W Kress milling motor (10k-32k rpm) for about 200USD.. and they sell other attachemnts such as a knife holder, a 3D scanner (e.g. you can surface scan something first, then duplicate with a cutter!).