Not trying to hijack the thread, but since some of you seem to be knowledgeable in this area:
I would like to buy something absolutely turnkey (open the box, pull out the item, plug it in, and it works!) that:
(1) does not require water
(2) does not emit nasty fumes
(3) will cut Armstrong N-8090 1/16 inch (1/8 inch would be nice) from either an 8 1/2 x 11 or 11 x 17 sheet
(4) will either do its own scanning, or accept a file type I can get out of normal scanning software
(5) sells for less than $3500
(6) plugs into either 120v or 240v single phase
(7) and most importantly, does not require me to learn to use new software (remember the old dog - new tricks cliche)
Anyone know of anything that will fit the above description?
Jon
The real tricks here are 4 and 7. Mostly 7 unless you already know how to use some kind of cutting software.
Numbers 1 and 2 eliminate any kind of a laser system. You *can* get laser systems with integrated coolers and air filters, but then you blow #5 out of the water.
Looking at the material properties of the Armstrong N-8090, I think you could cut it with a small spindle CNC machine if you sandwiched it between a couple layers of sacrificial material to minimize tearout. You could potentially just use the spoilboard and a top layer.
Something like this would fit on a table and be inexpensive, but you do have to learn some kind of software for the files:
https://www.amazon.com/Masuter-4040-Machine-Engraving-15-75x14-96/dp/B093LH9899That one has to be assembled, so it isn't turnkey but it is also 1/7 your price point. How "turnkey" are you set on? Any kind of a machine tool is going to require occasional maintenance/calibration/etc. How ok with that are you?
