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Thread: Woodman CNC

  1. #1
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    Default Woodman CNC

    Does anyone have any experience with Woodman CNC machines?

    https://www.gregmach.com/product/woo...0-cnc-machine/

    I'm hunting around for my school and came across these. I was looking at the Shark HD4 from Timbecon, a 1200x1200 machine from Multicam and found the Woodman models priced in between those models.

    Alternatively, are the any other brands someone could recommend around the 1200x1200 size?

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  3. #2
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    IMO, water cooled spindles are an automatic deal breaker; it's just another thing to potentially fail and there's absolutely no need for it on such a small spindle.

    What kind of work will the machine be doing?

  4. #3
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    Never though of that, it's one thing to keep in mind.

    To begin with, the type of work would be engraving and routing solid timber, ply and MDF. As we work out how to incorporate it into student projects, I'm sure more ideas will come up. One project I'd like to do would be a plywood piece of furniture - students get a half sheet and see what they can design.

    I proposed that we get the Shark HD4 as it seems a decent entry level machine but my principal asked whether it would be enough of a machine to cope with what we want. He looked at the Multicam and Woodman machines and said he'd prefer the those models. As much as I think the Multicam would be the best of what I've found so far, I imagine our admin would find it hard to justify dropping $40k on it.

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    Multicam is definitely the best of the 3, it's a proper industrial machine, but you gotta pay for it. I think the Shark is overpriced for the size, you can't do much with 635x635.

    If you're doing nesting, you should look at something that has a vacuum table.

    Also, consider second hand; if you have 3-phase you can get ex-industrial machines. There's some 240v stuff as well https://www.machines4u.com.au/view/a...x-1-3m/465593/

  6. #5
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    Two others that I've seen on the web are:

    https://www.maslowcnc.com

    and

    https://3dtek.xyz/collections/cnc-routers

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    Quote Originally Posted by lewisc View Post
    I proposed that we get the Shark HD4 as it seems a decent entry level machine but my principal asked whether it would be enough of a machine to cope with what we want. He looked at the Multicam and Woodman machines and said he'd prefer the those models. As much as I think the Multicam would be the best of what I've found so far, I imagine our admin would find it hard to justify dropping $40k on it.
    Look if your principal is prepared to consider a $40k machine, I'd say go for it.
    From my perspective what I'm hearing is a desire, by the principal, to market your school's "technology curriculum" as being something a lot more than a hobby scale.
    In terms of justifying the expense, you could perhaps include CNC cutting of a shape as part of a module on "coding" undertaken as part of the Science, Maths or Arts curriculums.

    Don't forget to also budget for dust collection.
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

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    I wouldn't touch that Maslow thing, it just relies on gravity to hold the chains in tension so you won't be able to push it very hard. It's a cute idea, but if you want to have a useful CNC curriculum, give the kids a proper machine to learn on.

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    The Shark CNC comes in a 635x1270 size as well so it could still be used for bigger things. We need to stay away from hobby machines though. Even though the Shark would be a hobby machine, it was the first one that I saw that seemed decent.

    Look if your principal is prepared to consider a $40k machine, I'd say go for it.
    From my perspective what I'm hearing is a desire, by the principal, to market your school's "technology curriculum" as being something a lot more than a hobby scale.
    In terms of justifying the expense, you could perhaps include CNC cutting of a shape as part of a module on "coding" undertaken as part of the Science, Maths or Arts curriculums.

    Don't forget to also budget for dust collection.
    When I pitched the machines to him, he used the example of the electronic lock system that was installed at school a few years ago. It turned out to be a giant waste of money. Since then, we've had a new electronic system installed that is fantastic. I'd say he's prepared to do it right the first time, which brings me to the Woodman CNC. They seem comparable to the Multicam in size and features but at almost half the cost. I just can't seem to find much online info about them. He's asked me to find out which one will be suitable and then give my recommendation.

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    Have a look at the machine i linked to before, it's a single phase Multicam for $12k

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    Yeah, I've looked. As much as I like a bargain, I'm not sure about second hand with this sort of thing.

    I did find this one which looks clean and tidy - possibly worth the drive with a trailer. I'll have a chat to the boss and see how he feels about second hand.
    https://www.machines4u.com.au/view/a...d-size/414591/

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    Lewis,
    Elan makes a very good point
    Quote Originally Posted by elanjacobs View Post
    if you want to have a useful CNC curriculum, give the kids a proper machine to learn on.
    another consideration should be how fast any CNC you buy can work.
    If there are 30 kids in a class, if each has a half sheet of ply to cut out and the CNC you acquire takes 30 minutes to cut each half sheet, then you are looking at 2 to 3 days of CNCing for the class. This time to cut might be your major decision criteria.
    It's one thing buying a CNC to use in a home workshop where if a job takes a couple of hours that just represents the time between dinner and going to bed.
    In a school environment, your machining needs -- in terms of productivity -- is closer to that required in industry.

    A factor to build into your final pitch.
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

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    I don't think second hand is a problem with the good stuff; it's built to last in the first place and the manufacturer is still around to support it.

    We went second hand at work and had very few major issues. Certainly not enough to justify spending $120k+ for a new one instead of the $45k it cost us.

  14. #13
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    i, personally, know nothing about cnc machines so cannot give recommendations per se

    but am aware that:

    vermec in qld manufacture one or two and their other stuff is all first quality;
    mmvic in melbourne sell and maintain both production and school systems extensively and also seem to have good quality stuff

    they may be able to inform you somewhat too

    regards david

    ps i am also interested in this thread

  15. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by ian View Post
    Lewis,
    Elan makes a very good point
    another consideration should be how fast any CNC you buy can work.
    If there are 30 kids in a class, if each has a half sheet of ply to cut out and the CNC you acquire takes 30 minutes to cut each half sheet, then you are looking at 2 to 3 days of CNCing for the class. This time to cut might be your major decision criteria.
    It's one thing buying a CNC to use in a home workshop where if a job takes a couple of hours that just represents the time between dinner and going to bed.
    In a school environment, your machining needs -- in terms of productivity -- is closer to that required in industry.

    A factor to build into your final pitch.
    Good advice. One of my friends who teaches in Sydney convinced his principal to spend $40-50K on a laser cutter based on these reasons. He's been doing some great stuff with it. I'm fortunate that my class sizes aren't that big. I have 18 year 10's this year but 30 split over two classes next year. That's the year level I'd like to introduce the CNC to.

    vermec in qld manufacture one or two and their other stuff is all first quality;
    mmvic in melbourne sell and maintain both production and school systems extensively and also seem to have good quality stuff
    Thanks. I'll contact Vermec tomorrow. I've also been chatting to mmvic about the woodman machines. If we go with the Woodman, it'll be through them to keep it local.

  16. #15
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    Good to see you're thinking about productivity.

    30 kids over 2 classes still represents 30 assignments all due around the same time.

    I would expect that down the track, you'll want to introduce CNC machining to years 7 and 8, as it is in those years (at least in NSW) that kids decide on the subjects they'll take in years 9 and 10 and set themselves up for years 11 and 12.
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

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