Anything Manufacturing - Small to Medium Scale Metal Work (CAD/CAM included!)

Also since the mini PC has only 3 usb ports, I just got this small hub and attached it to the wall. This way I can bring over a DXF via thumbdrive and not have to reach over to plug it in.





I'll have to set up my cloud later to use that if/when needed via Gnome.

 

Considering the cost of specialized software and hardware, that's almost dirt cheap.

 

It really is.

They could've stuck to a controller only option, or at least a CAM and controller option, but they went all out to include being able to open and adjust other g-code files as well and everything.

The nesting feature is something people pay for alone whether it's with Fusion or Sheetcam.

I do wonder how big of a team and how many hours were spent writing up all the code for it, and get it all to work well together without things conflicting. The only "issues" I've read about at all regarding Optimum are self-induced, not software specific problems whether it was an incorrect speed they're using or the use of a really dirty (and stolen) file they downloaded on Etsy. The novice user really.

 

So, something I've been accustomed to doing when it comes to CNC plasma cutting is by doing all my drawing and CAM work inside the house on my gaming PC.

I do this on Fusion, drawing up any and all parts and/or designs followed by opening up my tool library and getting my cut paths set correctly. Well, now with Optimum being my CAM software I'm having to do that stuff in the garage which isn't really all that big of a deal.

Well, Anydesk is already fully setup on the mini PC with an account (this is in the event that the end user needs remote help from STV) so I thought I'd try it out and yep, I've got full access to my pc and CNC table from my bedroom!





These guys really thought of everything, and since I can just save my DXF onto my cloud, I can access them between computers without ever having to get up and transfer media physically.

 

I've been eyeballing these mini controllers for some time.

Like you, I do my designing on gaming specific laptop in the house. The laptop also runs my Mach3 software. It works great.

Except I'm carrying my PC from the house to the shop when it comes time to cut. Carrying a spendy laptop has been concerning me

My shop is 250' from the house.

I save most of my design Gcode to the laptop and back up to an auxillary hard drive. I don't save much to a thumb drive.

With one of these mini controllers, I might put my design Gcode to a thumb drive. It would save wear and tear and transpo risks to the laptop.

I just need to find out if these will run Mach3.

 

You mean mini PC? They run full operating systems just like any computer or laptop, although they're pretty much running laptop-type components for power/heat reasons as they're in too small of an enclosure to dissipate heat well.

Mach 3 takes extremely little resources and will easily run on a mini PC, it would just be up to you to decide how you want to get your g-code to your mini PC. In my case, if I want or need to save stuff on a thumb drive I can bring it over and connect it to my new hub on the wall. But in my case, I have to do my CAM on my mini PC because my licensed software is only installed on it.

Not knowing how the license for Mach 3 works, I would think your only hurdle is ensuring you get your license moved over to your new mini PC but once you do that you can just leave it in the shop near your table and dedicate it to that. Then keep the expensive PC/laptop in the house and do all your drawing and CAM there.

 

Yep.

We on the same frequency.

Now just need to source a mini PC.

Moving the license is not too hard.

 

That's good to hear. I know those with Sheetcam have to perform some sort of inquiry and wait just to move their license from one computer to another.

In my case with Optimum, I believe I would have to inquire about purchasing another mini PC if I wish to have one inside the house to do any CAM work. I'm not made of money so I'll stick to the remote access method as well as using a thumb drive. A part of me almost wants to yank the SSD out of the mini PC and just clone it but I'd have to mess anything up by accidentally having it go online while the mini PC is online and the software jynx itself or something for having two of the same license online at the same time. Plus too much work.

A mini PC alone with good specs will run you about $125 for an Alder lake model, and should have at least 256gb+ of storage along with 8 to 16gb of ram.

Tons available on Amazon so it'll just come down to what one you like the most (aesthetically), with the real focus being on storage.

Many of them also have a bracket with holes that match both 75mm and 100mm VESA mounting to mount behind any monitor - I had my mini PC first otherwise I would've mounted it behind my monitor.

 

I was very wrong here, pierce count was 350 when they started cutting bad. New consumables and its cutting great.

 

Makes sense!

And pretty normal so you're definitely good to go.

 

Yep, my compressor isnt great either and its alot more humid than over there. Dessicant was already turning pink

 

Can't be worse than my setup

I don't know of anyone else running a 110v air compressor for their plasma cutter.

 

Thought I was the only one.

About +3 years ago, I installed my own 220v with the intent to run a welder. I never expected to run an air compressor, much less CNC table.

On another note, slats are all installed! If I want to side with caution, I should wait until Thursday or Friday before I add water to the table. Not that the table won't be waterproof, but to ensure that the Flex Seal fully cures.



Unless others can confirm it'll still cure while submerged (I got the brush/roll on stuff from a can).

 

Just got off the phone with STV - I called because I had a few technical questions for them which I'll share.

During the CAM process in Optimum, I mentioned a feature called 'Layers' where you can basically color a cut path a different layer, and apply its own individual cut speed and kerf value.

My question was, if I left the kerf value at 0.0 (since the box for kerf, THC, and speed exist in each layer) if it would default to the global kerf value used in my CAM process or if it will override it and actually use the 0 value. I was told that yes, if I left it at 0.0 it will indeed run the cut path as having no kerf. He said this is because sometimes cutting much slower (or larger) of a speed with the correct kerf width can still lead to a correct outer dimension, but incorrect inner dimension and vice versa so it allows the end user to really dial in their setup for the most accurate parts.

Pretty cool actually because normally you just have one kerf value, and cut paths are offset (whether it's an inside cut or out) to compensate for that kerf. However, anyone that has cut anything will tell you that sometimes one item is a hair more off than others such as my test cut out below.

Achieving a 2.5" x 2.5" for the outer dimensions, but the inner circle of 0.625" actually coming in at 0.628".







Knowing now just how much adjustment is allowed on their CAM side prompted me to ask about doing CAM inside the house. Well, another mini PC with their Optimum software installed would be about $300 which breaks it down to $150 for their software and $150 for their mini PC which is seriously not bad at all.

And the last thing I mentioned was Fusion 360. They're keeping it under wraps but their developers have been working on a post processor for those that use Fusion 360 but it still has a major bug where it's incorporating tool changes. I made a few remarks about machine setup and tool library, and offered myself as a 'guinea pig' if they need someone to test their stuff out.

In the next day or two I should be getting this post processor emailed to me so I'll be stoked to try it out seeing as how I'm a strict Fusion user.

 

Runnin a small 110v compressor for now. I need to install a few 240v outlets so i can make use of the bg conpressor.

But right now i may be moving the shop to a new space so i can covert to garage to licensed food manufacturing plant. Running the numbers on the food product to see what a feasible.price is an the cost

But the new shop space i am looking is prewired with 240v. An will be a bit larger than the garage. It would be far cheaper to pay for shop space an build my own licensed plant then just rent a licensed food space.

I have too many hobbies

 

Curious .. what kind of food manufacturing?

 

Edibles

 

Gotta do what you gotta do!

 

There's money to be had in just about everything nowadays.