Handibot CNC Router

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chrismp
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Handibot CNC Router

Post by chrismp »

I just came across this little CNC router made by Shopbot. I think it's an awesome idea! Have a look for yourself:

Kickstarter campaign: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/132 ... l?ref=card

Official homepage: http://www.handibot.com/

Add-on called the creeper to cover longer distances: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ucwy22o-YkU

Donek video presenting their drag knife and the Handibot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhfTJZqXCDo

PS: I'm in no way affiliated with Shopbot, I just think it's an awesome new development in CNC tools. ;)
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falls
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Post by falls »

You could build a table with two rails to support either side of it and have a drive system then have a pretty good narrow CNC. That creeper looks like it might be a bit imprecise just running on the wood surface with I assume a UHMWPE sliding surface.
Cutting area was 8 inches wide so you could build it a long x axis and it would do one core/base/template at a time.
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twizzstyle
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Post by twizzstyle »

So you just push it down by hand while it machines?

I think my arms could last maybe 15 minutes doing that tops, what if what you're doing needs to run for an hour? Also, what if it snags on some hard wood?

Seriously cool idea, although I personally would be a little skeptical of a CNC not being absolutely mechanically fixed to the work piece.
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falls
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Post by falls »

I think twizz the creeper attachment was an integrated linear bearing and rack/pinion with stepper that pulled it along. The other side looks like it just slides in the workpiece.
Alternately they talked about indexing the workpiece every 6 inches and you have to physically move it from one zone to another.
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tufty
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Post by tufty »

falls wrote:I think twizz the creeper attachment was an integrated linear bearing and rack/pinion with stepper that pulled it along. The other side looks like it just slides in the workpiece.
Alternately they talked about indexing the workpiece every 6 inches and you have to physically move it from one zone to another.
Physically indexing sounds like a thoroughly shitty solution. Putting a (for example) optical or mechanical mouse type sensor on the device and tracking linear movement using that should be possible. Yeah, mouse sensors are not always accurate, but you could use more than one (especially given the price they're pushing) and average. Anything but relying on the user to accurately measure and place.

On a side note, anyone else annoyed by the more and more common practice of established companies using Kickstarter for new products?
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