Upgrade to Alpha

[GlenP]

Hey Everyone. I am considering a upgrade to alpha for my PRS standard (circa 2007) to cut faster. Right now I can only cut at a top speed of 3 IPS. I am doing allot of mdf doors and I think the difference in speed from standard to alpha would be justifiable and pay itself back fairly quickly.
Just wondering what cut speeds you guys with aplhas are getting when cutting 3/4" mdf? I can only go .3" deep at 2.5 IPS on cut and 5 IPS on jogs currently with my standard.
Thoughts????

[dlcw]

I cut 1/2" MDF in 2 passes with a 1/4" two flute down spiral at about 6ips (10K rpm) for the first pass in a climb direction leaving a 1/32" skin. I then cut the 2nd pass conventional at 7ips. No problems.

I just got done cutting a sheet of 3/4" for some product prototypes and cut using the bit above at 5ips (11K rpm) first pass leaving the 1/32" skin, then 7ips second pass.

I tend to do two passes on cuts that have to be very close because of the flex in the machine. I've noticed that there is about a 1/32" flex in the machine when cutting heavy like this.

[wberminio]

Glenn
We must have the same machine circa 2007.
I upgraded to alpha a few months ago,
All I can say is WOW
I don't cut much MDF,but just the fact that you wont have to worry about
lost steps and ruined parts was well worth it.
I would never recommend a standard for any tpye of commercial or production work.
I am very happy with the upgrade/-just get ready for dealing with a lot of wires.:)
Erminio

[jTr]

Glenn,
Copy most of what Don said, though I run 3 passes in .75" material with 4-5 ips cut speed. This is typically with VC ply. I've found on the occasion I run MDF core, it cuts way cleaner, so I don't feel 5-6" per second would be excessive, and I may step up to two passes in the future, knowing someone else is doing so. I have a one year old 9660alpha with 2.2HP spindle.

Qualifier: Be sure you have reasonably good vac hold down to keep stock from sliding at greater forces produced at these rates. I have had no problems with the 4 lighthouse motor system - I typically max at 5-7" hg. but I am closer to 3k above sea level, and max vac pull goes down as altitude increases.

Also note: I imagine there's a lot more than just cut speed performance that you'll be happier with upon upgrading. I spent more at the outset, as it seemed more appealing to have the accuracy of a closed-loop of communication between the axis motors and computer.

Good luck!

jeff

[jerry_stanek]

Since I started running the beta software I can cut a lot faster on my PRS standard. You could try it and see if that would work for now. You can always go back to 3.6.xx if it doesn't work.

[GlenP]

THanks guys. Jerry tried sending a pm....you need to delete some as you are at limit.

[jerry_stanek]

Just did a clean up thanks

[ken_rychlik]

I had both. I've since moved on to a different brand machine but I didn't find myself cutting much faster after the upgrade. It has to do witih the spindle/bit combination, how much vac hold down you have, ect.. You may find yourself upgrading other things to keep up with a quicker machine. Also the structure of the machine is great for a std, but a little weak for alpha speeds. ( just my opinion here )
From the sounds of it, you may be better served upgrading your pc and ram first. you should be able to cut at 5 and jog at 8 without issues.

[GlenP]

PC and ram are high end. Built a new quadcore with 8 gigs of ram so I am confident PC isn't keeping speed slower. No internet or **** on the PC and it is running Win 7 Ultimate.

[jerry_stanek]

With the beta it loads a lot more data on the shopbot control board so it can run faster.

[GlenP]

I have versoin 2.04 of the control card. I may have to try loading the new control software again and retry. I am not going to do it right now. I have 70 doors to cut today and tonight.