I am looking into purchasing a CNC machine and software for designing and shaping boards, but need a good comparision of the design software and CNC machines that are out there today… at this point I have seen the CET machine and the shopbot… the CET machine is definitely geared toward board shaping specifically, where the shopbot looks like a more general use CNC machine that can be retroed to do board shaping… but i am sure there are limitations like max and min board length etc… these are the details I need to know… also would like to know if there are other solutions out there…
The machine is just a tool, the software is the key. KKL spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to get it right, then spent an other 150 thou to perfect it. 3 axis head with 4 axis capibility. Out of the box stuff will get you by. I saw a machine in Hawaii, the owners were the designers. They told me KKL was so primative compared to theirs, it was made of wood and a washing machine motor. It didn’t cut the stringer or bottom tuck edge
There is a trade show in Los Angeles during march called WEST TECH. It is the largest Machine tool trade show on the west coast. They have everything you can imagine from CNC machines to software packages. Before you buy anything, do a lot of research.
The BIG question is, how much you got?! If you have unlimited resources, got BIG. If you’re a small operation, like HDX, you want a package that works, is economical, AND user friendly. Drop me a line at , , or 714-404-1663. I’ll give you the rundown on our package, maybe it’s for you.
there is a outburst of machines available at present, you will find one at http://www.surfmanagementsystems.com/product_page.htm and thier software is free to download upon contacting them. it is very user/shaper friendly and very good for creating new designs. there is also another one at http://www.customclone.biz/ which seems ideal for copying an existing board.
im also lead to believe the DSD software is great to use. the best advise i can give you is to look long and hard at all your options and use them all as much as you can b4 spending your loot. if any one can tell us where to find the awakawa/luciano website for thier machine would be greatly appreciated.
im also not sure if the DSD is the same as the eric awakawa/luciano machine?
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im also not sure if the DSD is the same as the eric awakawa/luciano machine?
Yes it is.
How do you get a hold of Luciano? I can’t find any contact information.
thats what i would like too. im sure a few of you can provide a little more info about the machine/software… please
My friend is friends with Eric Arakawa, ill see if i can get contact info.
caveat emptor. many of these design programs are limited to what you can do. most of these programs are just design programs and will not convert to the proper language to drive a machine. what’s the use? And if they do you are limited to what you can edit. from my personal experience the only real control over your shapes and perameters are the true CAM programs, but requires the understanding of program language. I have yet to come across a surfboard design CAD/CAM program that will work universally for different types of machines.
The DSD software is proprietary and will only work with the Brazillian machine. Im sure other machines out there are also proprietary.
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The DSD software is proprietary and will only work with the Brazillian machine. Im sure other machines out there are also proprietary.
This is one of the limiting problems with some of these over the counter shaping machines. If you know anything about CNC machines universal G codes is the standard language. You have already limited yourself by not being able to use these design programs to write the code. Limits your ability to expand on different machines and programs.
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Quote:The DSD software is proprietary and will only work with the Brazillian machine. Im sure other machines out there are also proprietary.
This is one of the limiting problems with some of these over the counter shaping machines. If you know anything about CNC machines universal G codes is the standard language. You have already limited yourself by not being able to use these design programs to write the code. Limits your ability to expand on different machines and programs.
Yes it seems everyone wants to design “thier own” stuff which is limiting the overall possibilities.
Check out http://www.shape3d.com/
I don’t own it, but I checked out the demo and it seems pretty good. And it generates G-code.
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Check out http://www.shape3d.com/I don’t own it, but I checked out the demo and it seems pretty good. And it generates G-code.
Hi Kenz, I checked into this program, they don’t have digitizing capabilities, also not sure if you can edit the post. Also know a few that have purchased the machine and software and have had some issues.
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Quote:Check out http://www.shape3d.com/
I don’t own it, but I checked out the demo and it seems pretty good. And it generates G-code.
Hi Kenz, I checked into this program, they don’t have digitizing capabilities, also not sure if you can edit the post. Also know a few that have purchased the machine and software and have had some issues.
Do you know what kind of problems they were having?
y’know, with a handle like gNauset, you have to be from my neck of the woods. Drop me a message, I may not have done the research you have, but mebbe I can toss something in that might be of use.
doc…
hi gNauset, just drop me a line at and tell me a bit about you and I will place our program on the net for you to download. and yes, it can create G-code