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Re: A good start

Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2016 9:30 pm
by Vandal968
Wille, what CAM are you using to generate your toolpaths for the router?

cheers,
c

Re: A good star

Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2016 2:17 am
by willnewton
I am using the proprietary Shopbot Control Software for running the machine and for the CAM conversion I use Vectric software. It is also a SB edition, full featured, with SB needed processing built in.

Rhino3d for design. Meshmixer for mesh editing and repair. Simplify3d for 3d printing. Photoshop and Illustrator for 2d.

Re: A good start

Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2016 2:31 am
by Vandal968
Vectric is good stuff.

cheers,
c

Re: A good start

Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2016 2:41 am
by jimc
always wanted a shopbot. i started the first half of my life as a woodworker. my whole family on my dads side are wood workers. maybe one of these days ill get around to getting one. all i really need is is that excuse where i need it for a paying project and that will give me the excuse to get one. i dont know anything as far as the cam goes. never used any cam software or even heard of vectric. on the other hand you know i use rhino and s3d. both are great. i do alot of 2d stuff for painting and running my vinyl cutter. i have photoshop and illustrator but there is something about adobe software and their UI that i cant wrap my head around. its seems like they go out of their way to make every task as hard as possible to do. all my 2d stuff is done with corel software. coreldraw, paintshop pro, etc. i find their stuff so more intuitive and 3 times as fast to get a job done.

Re: A good start

Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2016 3:27 pm
by willnewton
Former pro woodworker here too Jim (15 years pro and I have a college degree in it). I wish I had the space for a larger Shopbot. The Desktop model is great, but I would love to be able to process a sheet of plywood. I have used their larger machines before and they are just as nice. The quality on them is great and the machines are well supported by SB and their online community. My Desktop with spindle is insanely well made and heavily constructed (maybe 150 lbs or so). Don't let the size fool you, this ain't no hobbyist machine!

They are also an hour's drive from me, so it was nice to buy local! I picked mine up from their shop and they have a nice place and a good sized staff and facility.

I have found the SB and MG ownership experiences very similar and would not hesitate to purchase another or recommend one of either. In general though the M2 is used WAY more often and has a lot more value to me as a tool. The CNC router is nice, but the 3d printer has become indispensable.

Re: A good start

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2017 5:02 am
by willnewton
Been a while since I updated. She is printing away as I type. I wanted to post up something neat I finished with some help from the M2.

We have a fund raiser for our local Arts Council called "Mini-Masterpieces". Local artists go pick up a free 8"x8" canvas on a frame from the Arts Council, then return it a few months later as a finished art work. They stay on display for a few weeks, then there is a reception that costs $50 for a ticket. You are given a random number assigned to a random artwork and get to take it home. The Arts Council gets donations. The local artists get some recognition.

I have entered twice, both times with 3d printed art. I am trying to find a picture of last year's piece, but here is the one from this year.
2017will.jpg

Re: A good start

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2017 5:43 am
by jimc
very cool will, I like it

Re: A good start

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2017 9:03 pm
by Jules
That's incredibly kewl! :D

Re: A good start

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2017 4:05 pm
by willnewton
Epoxy curing chamber!

I needed to get a good cure on the epoxy holding the round sleeve inside the metal block and I keep my workshop temps low when I am not in there, so did not want the curing affected.

I set the M2 heatbed for 35ºC (about 95ºF) and let it go overnight. It worked like a champ.

Re: A good start

Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 10:14 pm
by willnewton
So I am at the two year mark on this printer. There have been several hardware updates to the new M2 models (currently Rev.E) , which I have installed on the printer, but not all of them because it is pretty good as is. As for software, my main suite of Simplify 3d, Meshmixer, and Rhino3d have stepped through upgrades themselves.

The quality is still high as the day I made my first print. In many ways, it prints better than new due to software and hardware upgrades. I am also a much higher skilled 3d printer operator and designer than two years ago. I have made most every mistake and learned how to fix every problem myself or via this forum. I have never needed to call in for tech support, just to order parts.

I have used this single tool to make more tools, parts, toys, art, and accessories that make other things I own better than I ever would have imagined. Literally thousands of finished items and prototypes and near daily use.

After the initial purchase of hardware and software, it has cost me almost nothing other than a few small parts, electricity, and the filament I use.

In my life it has been rare to come across something that has been as influential as this printer. It is very important to my shop whether it involves work or play. When it is time to create, this printer is the forge where new ideas get hammered out. It is a tireless worker capable of incredible speed and detail. It is a moneymaker, popping out prototypes that save me hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in design errors, material waste, and lost time. It is an idea generator, making ME more creative and mentally flexible.

I just noticed that this thread will be breaking 16,000 views and it being a couple of years, just wanted folks to know what I think about the M2.

I'm definitely a fan.