by mangozac » Sun Jan 15, 2012 10:55 am
Hi Amph, welcome to RA!
Yes, I have been gradually using my CNC router more and more, however only really for cutting out 2D shapes plastic sheet, as you can see here: . I have done some very limited 3D stuff, but it isn't easy. There's lots of things that can go wrong (especially when using open source tools to generate the toolpath) and it is very slow.
The Roland iModela does indeed seem very impressive, and very well priced! The maximum build size of 86 × 55 × 26 mm certainly isn't very big, but remember you can always break the model up into smaller parts to be glued together if you need to make something bigger. The biggest advantage is that it's a "closed system" - Roland provide all of the software and everything you need to make it work optimally and quickly.
Will you be casting resin copies from parts mastered from the iModela?
For others reading this, check it out: And here's a sample of the kind of level of detail and finish that can be achieved:
If I didn't already have my router I would buy one of these tomorrow! Actually the more I read about it the more I want one to sit on my desk at home (my CNC router is setup in my workshop at work). Seriously Amph, if you can afford it this really seems to be the way to go!
There is a very good discussion of the iM-01
Oh yeah I can make that....