Does anyone know the status of the cyber optics cnc machine? See attachment. The old computer (p3) was put to rest and the cnc was titied up a little but without knowing what's what, we didn't know what we could toss.

AFAIK, this is still an ongoing project. The machine has been shown to work with CNC software. I'm sure we have an extra PC to use for it if the original has been removed. There's been so much going on elsewhere though that it's been as sort of a dumping ground for odds and ends.

Smittex, if you could post smaller images in the BB that would be appreciated.

You know all we need to do is make a z axis table and throw a rotozip or something on there. Kinda wondering why no one has take up the challenge to build a freaking table.

Well, as I've said before, it's a single sided / cantilevered gantry, it's not made to support tools with torque, and it won't work very well for very long. You could in theory build another side to the gantry but matching the extremely nice components that it has already would be expensive, and driving a gantry with tools that create torque from one side only is still pretty questionable, why do feel we need a third CNC with a spindle?

To me a larger format extruder or a laser engraver would make more sense.

Pete

Is it better to have a tool sit on a shelf and never be used because its not done? Or is it better to use a tool improperly but in a regular use? I say rotozip because we don't have a lazer (that I know of) or an extruder that is already built. My issue is that it isn't being worked on actively. It would be nice to have something that everyone could use that if it broke it wouldn't come down to the owner to fix it.

I see your point, but a "CNC" that won't stay in the calibration (torque x inadequate support = tool drift) is worthless. At the very least, work will be substandard and materials wasted. Taken to the extreme, such a rig up might even be dangerous. Is a crappy tool better than no tool at all? (I know where I stand.)

The solution is to finish the tool properly or get rid of the pieces--despite their perceived "value". A case could also be made for "crating" the bits and storing them in the loft provided there is a firm commitment to complete the project within a reasonable time frame.