• Scam Alert. Members are reminded to NOT send money to buy anything. Don't buy things remote and have it shipped - go get it yourself, pay in person, and take your equipment with you. Scammers have burned people on this forum. Urgency, secrecy, excuses, selling for friend, newish members, FUD, are RED FLAGS. A video conference call is not adequate assurance. Face to face interactions are required. Please report suspicions to the forum admins. Stay Safe - anyone can get scammed.

Pocket NC 5-axis

I looked at this machine a few days ago. It is a bit of a novelty because of its extremely limited machining capabilities. I'm not saying I don't want one because I do. But I really expect more for $4150 canadian. Did I mention I want one?
 
I've since read/heard a bit of scepticism from people who (at least appear to) have CNC experience, either through their job or home CNC conversions. They think the little fellah was groaning petty heavy on what was pretty light passes of the aluminum engine block. Another suggested that there isn't really hobby level 5-axis control software out there to support the full capability. IE. inferring he either has to write custom code or work with an existing vendor to provide this capability, or leave (hobbyists) to buy big boy $$ software. Does this sound right to you? My knowledge kind of ends with CAD, the CNC side is Greek to me. But it is cool. Maybe the first iterations mini-machines will be buggy like first 3D printers, but hopefully might invite similar ventures.

ps - when you say you 'looked at'... you mean the real thing or the video?
 
When I say I looked at it I should have said I looked at the kickstarter page and watched the video. I don't have much experience programming 5 axis tool path. I do have over a thousand hours experience setting up 5 axis jobs and trouble shooting problems with tool path. The most important part of true 5 axis machining is the computer aided manufacturing software. It is not realistic to manually program the g code to run this machine. So the software for programming will be important. I think the machine is just too light. There is allot of aluminum parts and the capabilities look more suited to an educational tool than anything useful in a shop.
 
This looks to be very much a "small hobby" machine, not suited for any industrial or even small scale commercial applications. Rapid prototyping or craft work with plastic, wood, or aluminum seems to be the target. That said, looks to be an interesting foray into small scale multi-axis CNC maching.
 
Rick, I'd appreciate one, actually... I'm setting up an embedded CNC box and I'd like to try a few different software packages before I settle on one.
 
I haven't visited this group for a while, but... I have had one of these for just over a year now. I have no machining experience but to me, it is quite a solid machine and I love it. Just now getting into the 5 axis stuff. Mostly 3 axis right now. Quite a learning curve though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top