Can ShopBot handle this?

[mitchell]

Thank You!

Im wanting to purchase a shopbot first and foremost. I am wanting to know does anyone use their shopbot extensively. I will be cutting cabinets 3/4 MDF Mellamine,40+ sheets a day on the cnc also boring shelving holes and for hinges. Can it take all this? What speeds might be recommended since there is melamine on both sides? Obviously i guess u would have to do this with two or more cuts? Can the spindle and collets handles this work, 8 to 10 hours a day 7 days a week. I know your already might be saying are you really going to use it that much. Yes, i want my machine to be able to do that. Is there anything else besides whats below that i might also consider? Software??

Believe me i like the PRSALPHA 120(10X5)$26,180
5hp spingle add $900
- Includes steel and extruded aluminum table (96x60) But obviously upgraded to bigger table
- Includes ShopBot Control System Software & ShopBot PartWorks Design Software
- Includes Z-zero Plate & XY Proximity Switches
- 4hp Spindle (priced as 230v, 3phase, HSD)
- Starter Bit Kit (8 useful cutters to get you started; for spindle or router)
- Air Drill (for automating point-to-point drilling operations)
- 16.9hp Vacuum Hold-down system (priced as 230v, 3phase, regenerative blower)
- Cabinet Parts Pro (software for creating cabinet components)

[cabnet636]

nathan if your doing 7 units a week you might want to look at a tool changer option the bots spindles and motors are as strong if not stronger than any small/mid size router on the market. with that kind of income. i'd go visit the plant, the machine i saw would do this. with 40 units a week you got a web site or is this all commercial
jim mcgrew www.mcgrewwoodwork.com (http://www.mcgrewwoodwork.com)

[elcruisr]

Nathan, I have a 'bot that is 6 years old, has been upgraded at least three times I can think of and runs a lot, I mean a whole lot. The frame has passed the 200,000 parts mark and I'm on my second spindle rebuild. At one point we did six months of 16 hours of straight operation. Is that enough use? In that time I think I've been down maybe three times and tech support had me the parts I needed in 24 hours. Can't ask for more. The new machines are even better than what I'm running.

I don't have a tool changer, very rarely needed one. It would be nice but I don't see the extra money paying off for what I do but every shop is different. You'll want that 16.9 hp vacuum pump. I have a 15 and it's just barely enough for what we do.

[mitchell]

Thanks guys,

Yes i agree james, with the tool changer. What about a hold down roller? Im not sure if shopbot has one.The spindles do get about 1000 hrs on them correct? Yes all of this work is commercial. The cnc will make it alot easier. I have table saws that will also be cutting material also.

[mitchell]

I think its 10,000 hrs on spindle correct sorry for the typo on above