E-Machineshop

Charley Davidson

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Nov 8, 2011
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How many of you use or have used this? I just realized I can use this to design all my parts for my Plasma table I'm building. Not sure what kind of limitations/restrictions it has though.
 
Re: E-Machine

What is it, Charley? The only E-Machine I am familiar with is a budget PC.
 
As it appears, the primary objective is for them to make your parts. They provide the design software, and assist in the process if you wish. Once the product is designed, they are happy to quote you on virtually any quantity you need, from 1 piece up. I have no idea about the cost of this service or the lead time, but it might appeal to certain engineering groups. I have a project or two I could probably use their services on, but I'll probably just do it myself.

I'd also be interested in any real experiences that our members can relate to us.
 
You download their software and draw/design your part, not sure if you need to submit it to them or not or if you can save/print it for your own shop. That was my primary intention in this post, not really for their machining services.

Thanks for changing the title.
 
You're quite welcome, Charley. I have been a little curious myself about that. I have Autocad and SolidWorks, and no CNC machines to export those model files into Mastercam to actually generate tool paths for machining, so it's probably limited use to me, but I like expanding my knowledge. I'll probably end up getting into CNC, but only if I find bargains. The smaller, hobby machines won't do the type of work I do in a reasonable (meaning money-making) time. I doubt I'll build a CNC anything, unless I get the hots for a plasma. I'll have to hold out for more industrial machinery. I'll probably just further my limited programming knowledge as needed to make do.
 
I've looked at them about 2 years ago. Her's what I found:

1. Their CAD tool is a joke, compared to Solidworks, Alibre, or even SketchUP
2. They're REALLY expensive per part, until you get to large part counts
3. Their lead times were well into multiple week range

Overall, I decided to join a makerspace (NextFab in Philly) and then outfit my own shop (which is almost complete: I have a CNC mill, a metal lathe [which I will be CNC-ing shortly], a welder, and am now getting a 3d printer).
 
I've looked at them about 2 years ago. Her's what I found:

1. Their CAD tool is a joke, compared to Solidworks, Alibre, or even SketchUP
2. They're REALLY expensive per part, until you get to large part counts
3. Their lead times were well into multiple week range

Overall, I decided to join a makerspace (NextFab in Philly) and then outfit my own shop (which is almost complete: I have a CNC mill, a metal lathe [which I will be CNC-ing shortly], a welder, and am now getting a 3d printer).

I think your missing the point of this thread, I have "NO" intentions of using these guys to machine anything, I am only using the free software they let you download to draw/design parts for my CNC plasma table. I'm sure this program is a "joke" compared to $12,000.00 solidworks program or any other way over priced cad/cam program but this one is "Free" I have already found some weaknesses in it but it is a great learning tool & I can export my drawings into Lazy Cam & then on to Mach3 so it is useful. It does not show any dimensions but you can easily add them to the drawings. Overall I really like it at my level of experience.

I can draw up what I need and take it in to the company I am laid off from and make the parts on one of their machines. So it's a win win for me.
 
If you are looking for a free cad program, check out

http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/free-cad/index.php?title=Main_Page

It's a little rough, but works OK in most cases.

One thing to keep in mind is that while it is free, you are spending your time getting familiar with it. If that company goes out of business, or decides to lock it down so you can't use it except with their service... well, if that happens the time you spent goes up in smoke.
 
If you're not opposed to learning a new OS (which is no big deal nowdays) consider switching to Ubuntu and getting all the free/open source software you can shake a stick at. Plenty of pro-grade software out there that will do what you want. Don't be intimidated.
 
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