I am looking for conversation with those that have knowledge of CNC machines and the general compatibility of different functions.
I have a bit too many interests and keep picking up things and then making them work together to form a cohesive waste of money…right now.
I have thoughts on getting a large format CNC machine to handle multiple medias. Metal, Wood, Plastic…
A legitimate 4’ x 4’ actual work area. None of the advertised “4’ x 4’ CNC Machine” whose actual work area that the machine can physically do a thing is closer to 38" square.
A machine that is rigid enough to handle a large commercial router or VFD spindle, One Finity.
Ability to mount a variety of lasers (40w output Diode - Red and Blue, 2w IR).
CNC control module that can take code from software (Lightburn, Fusion 360)
Everything that I buy has it’s place. The ability to cross platform a tool I think would be a huge asset.
Right now I would like to have a CNC wood router that can take a full size sheet of plywood, have the ability to do 3D engraving on wood, a stout enough spindle and rigid frame that can do smaller pieces of Al, Cu.Pb.Zn or other soft metals. Then in turn, mount a Laser to engrave said woods, Etch Metals, and cut up to .625 woods, and plastics.
Lets not get into the "Ooooohh you can’t do that with a laser it’s unsafe without an enclosure and venting. Lets pretend we are all responsible adults here and take the correct necessary precautions and have the appropriate PPE.
you need to call out what your full sheet of plywood is, 4x4, 4x8, 5x10 ? I would think most people consider a full sheet at least a 4x8
Why stop at engrave, would you not want to cut also.
I can give a little feed back on the Router as I repaired and maintained two for a period of time.
We had a Biesse and Holzher. They mostly cut plywood for cabinetry. They were 3ph needed a large amount of dust collection and were expensive to run. The Biesse had two 40HP Vacuum pumps for holding the sheets down to the table. Even with all that vacuum we would still have problems holding smaller parts. The spindles I think were maybe 40HP and they were not easy to remove.
What you want to do sounds good, but not very practical. Those two Routers were dedicated to do one job and they a lot of times struggled to do it well. There was a machine like you are talking about that was made back in the day, called the Shop smith I believe. I don’t think there made anymore.
I hope I didn’t take your post in the wrong direction!
I’m not sure if @bLouChipBlacksmith is ‘ecliptic’, (although he may have been accused of being a space shot on occasion), but his Plasma Cutter/CNC Router/Engraver/Laser system probably comes the closest I’ve seen to what you’re looking for.
@Knick - What you are talking about is a more commercial application. I am looking at more of a home garage application, hobbyist that may turn some revenue.
Cutting straight lines for simple cabinets is more a table saw or circular saw. Rounded corners, odd shapes for assembly (bench, chair, boxes, tables…) can be cut with a router. More elaborate designs that need tighter corners than a 1/8" router can do, or precision inlays would be the laser cutting.
They do still make the Shop Smith. I had a 1960s Mk IV. Still in the family as an heirloom.
@TomWS - Ha! I knew there would be someone here that dipped deep into an all in one.
I would start off with CNC router with vacuum system. You can add the others without too many issues. Make sure you add 4th axis pipe cutting while you’re coming up with wish list. When you find this unicorn please let me know because I want one also. GL
@DonP - I don’t know if that is sarcasm - I am bad at that.
Pipe cutting and sheet metal cutting will remain isolated to the Plasma table. Laser and sawdust is bad enough, Plasma flame and sawdust…bad juju …never mind trying to keep the water table free of sawdust, and the wood free of the water.
There have been several people that have pondered the laser on the Crossfire. Lot of “Don’t” or “Can’t” comments that I have read.
“Get a dedicated machine for that…”
I figure why spend another $1200 to $3000 on a dedicated laser with a small work envelope when a laser module is soooo much cheaper. Then taking a large stout CNC wood router, and a quick change tool post to put said lasers on it, and being able to chuck up a (up to) 1/4" 2 & 4 flute carbide endmill in the router and the smaller engraving bits to do 3D metal work on top of the wood work.
I just looked and your right, and it has not changed much.
I guess when I think of what your looking for, is how well does it do all these different things.
So are you wanting to buy this or build it?
Are you looking to make money with it or just for a hobby?
Are you wanting this because you don’t have enough shop space?
I watched the video of him lowering something down from the ceiling (maybe a router table) and it was killing me on how long it took to get it down into position.
I will be watching to see what this thread turns up. Interesting stuff!
I have a OneFinity Journeyman (33"x48" but the 33" dimension is open so I can slide full 4x8 sheets of plywood in it - just need to tile my project which Vectric VCarve handles for me).
For your purposes I’d go with their Elite Foreman which is 4x4 and would require only 1 tile operation to cut an 8ft sheet of plywood. It also has their upgraded motors and Zaxis setup to handle the additional weight of a real spindle (vs a Makita palm router).
Spindle options (besides roll your own) include a complete package from PWNCNC, water or air cooled. Laser head options come from JTech (diode laser) and are available in 7W, 14W, 24W and 44W options.
Lasering operations will be slower than a dedicated laser but since you won’t find an affordable 4x4 bed laser, it’s not a bad option. I use my CO2 laser for small stuff and the OneFinity for engraving on large projects (or cutting large thin material but I don’t do much of that).
The OneFinity can mill some metals - mostly aluminum or brass but isn’t a true metal mill.
BTW, I put mine on a flip-top table so I can flip it vertically for storage (or flip it 180 and get a nice flat work table). It takes up 22"x7’ of floor space when flipped. Otherwise it’s easy to run out of room in the shop
Crap part is, once I get the laser module, the One Finity table, VFD spindle, and other (platform, accessories…) I am in it for $8.5, and I have more need for a 14" x 40" engine lathe, and that will run me $10k ($19K for the one I really want, but is way out of my budget).
Here are some of the table. The top rotates 180 degrees each direction but stores 90 degrees from horizontal. There are a half dozen drawers on one end to store bits, tools, etc. The top is a sandwich of 2 sheets of 3/4" ply with a 1x4 honeycomb in between (torsion box construction).
The largest that they have is a 4x4 but no where near rigid enough. 15mm linear rails (dual Y, single X) compared to dual 50mm on the Onefinity I linked.
Even though it’s half the price, it is still is not stout enough for my needs.
I was about to pull the trigger on a Foxalien last year but just not convinced enough…thank the gods.
That ‘thing’ built this: 
