PRT 96 help

[Sage Hill]

Hi Everyone, It looks like this forum has a lot of experience with Shopbot use. Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction so I can fully utilize my Shopbot.

I inherited a PRT 96 that won't access partwizard. The software tells me to check my installation. There is a partwizard2 directory on the computer, but when I click the setup file it asks for the product key. I have the disks but not the product key. The Shopbot was purchased in 2001. The Shopbot software was later updated to version 3.4.27. I believe the control box had a firmware update in 11/07.

Other than a few words cut in typesetter, and a table top surface the shopbot hasn't been used other than moving the cutter with keyboard input. I downloaded a trial version of Vcarve Pro. Does partwizard have similar functions, and can I even use Vcarve Pro if partwizard doesn't work?

I would greatly appreciate any help.

Thanks,
Mike

[adrianm]

PartWizard is very outdated software these days. Personally I would go with VCarve but there are other options.

You can cut the trial files (and some of the sample projects on the Vectric website) with the trial of VCarve.

PartWizard not working will have no effect on VCarve.

[Sage Hill]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm getting frustrated trying to figure everything out without spending a lot of money.

[bleeth]

Call Shop-bot and they should help you get Part Wizard up and running. Even though you are not the original owner you get regular support from them.

[Sage Hill]

They have been very helpful, but tell me they can't do anything with part wizard since it's outdated. They recommend buying Vcarve Pro for $795 and if I want use all of Vcarve's features I need to upgrade my control box board for another $1000. Since I'm not using it for production work that's kind of pricey. I was trying to use what I have to see if I can justify spending that kind of money.

[adrianm]

You could try Cut2D from Vectric instead. Depends on the type of work you want to do but it's pretty powerful for the price and puts you on an upgrade path that will save money and time.

[Brian Harnett]

The product key is in the manual if you still have it for the bot. There should be a sticker on the software installation page with it.

It is limited but good for 2d applications.

It will run on windows xp have not tried 7

[bobmoore]

You don't give us a lot of information to go on Michael. What do you want to do with it? You could probably sell it for enough to get a good down payment on a small benchtop model if you just want to play with a cnc.
Bob

[gc3]

artcam express $149...will do all you need

http://www.artcam.com/express/

[joe]

I'd do what Gene recommends. ArtCam's Express is a great program and you can download a free trial on the link above.

Please let us know how you do.

Joe

[Sage Hill]

Thanks for all the suggestions it looks like I definitely found the best place for good problem solving on my Shopbot. I would like to use it to make some custom signs and woodworking projects. Since I just retired I don't plan to get into a production mode. I still do some metal work and fabrication. I also do some wood turning, furniture, carved bowls etc.

My wife says when I die she is going to bury me in the shop because I'm always there.

Thanks again for the suggestions.