As a note, Parallax Inc. uses these enclosures in-house for various projects and test procedures (See Picture Below). A video with details on the photo will be available Monday.
Nice! I love those boxes! Just missing some blue lights inside
So I have to understand how a prop board is working. Is there a post, a link, a page somethere where I can undertand how to use all those useless holes? I'm used to demo board where the holes are connected togethere, but here, how can we use such board? (Edit : )Do you have a picture of the other side?
Also, is the small sticker on the right for sell on the store?
Thanks,
JM
PS: Please stop building so fun stuff, it will start to cost me to much
Excellent news Ken. And great to see you put up the files too.
While you may sell a lot more protoboards, you may actually sell more cases for the Demo board. Anyway, a case is excellent news and I love the translucent blue.
What costs such an Epilog Laser Cutter ?
I've found the product but no prices in the Internet.
Andy
Epilog doesn't post their prices on the internet. The 24x36 EXT 75W Epilog costs about $40,000. You don't need to spend this much if you aren't demanding a lot from the laser. What was important to us includes power (faster, saves staff time), closed-loop servos (precision, no fuss), large work envelope for less material handling and preparation and a well-known company with really good support. We could make these boxes on a $10K laser cutter, too, but with some tradeoffs (smaller work envelope, longer cut times, etc.). This particular laser is well-suited for production work and I'm glad we didn't buy any less of a tool.
I've learned my lesson with low-cost tools. I will always buy more than we need because we tend to grow into the tool's capabilities and we always end up using them for things we didn't initially envision. On one hand the early experiences I've had with desktop CNC lathes and mills were truly valuable, but some of these tools now sit idle.
This particular company was recommend by Phil Pilgrim, a friend of ours from the forums.
I got my Epilog Zing 16 for around $8000. It's a 35W unit with a 16" x 12" work envelope. (It was a demo unit, and came with some needed accessories.) It's great for prototyping and short production runs. And it makes thin enough incisions that you can even cut splines with it to fit servo shafts or fine-pitched gears.
If you buy a used unit, though, it pays to find out how old it is. The reason is that the laser tubes age, even if they're not being used. (I think the gas must leak out over time.) Anyway, for mine, a refurbished tube with a trade-in costs about $1000.
If I were going to get another Zing, I'd probably shop for the 24" model -- not so much to make things that big, but because a lot of the materials you buy come in 24" x 12" pieces, or multiples thereof. It just makes better use of the material if you don't have to cut it up first to fit it in the machine.
Thanks. I will contact computer guy for the stickers.
Regarding the board, I was more thinking about a "blanker" board. Just the material with no holes, no printings, etc. I think i can find something cheaper...
Can you also make PCBs with such a "Zing" (engraving outlines, like with milling machines)?
I have read metall is not cutable with 35W, but there is only 35um copper on a PCB, so have you tried that?
Here is a unit I bought about a year ago. It has a working area of 27"x16"x8" deep. Not a cheap date even at $6K, but I have found it the best tool I have ever bought.
There are several smaller models for less money.
Backing up what Ken has said, I agree if you can afford a nicer brand/machine, that would be better. This is a much less expensive unit from China. I have had a few problems, but nothing serious. The support on these units is not very good. You have to pretty much figure things out on your own. But, for the money I saved, it's worth it to me. And the nicer units would not even be a possibility for my budget.
Here is a unit I bought about a year ago. It has a working area of 27"x16"x8" deep. Not a cheap date even at $6K, but I have found it the best tool I have ever bought.
There are several smaller models for less money.
Backing up what Ken has said, I agree if you can afford a nicer brand/machine, that would be better. This is a much less expensive unit from China. I have had a few problems, but nothing serious. The support on these units is not very good. You have to pretty much figure things out on your own. But, for the money I saved, it's worth it to me. And the nicer units would not even be a possibility for my budget.
Jim, part of my enthusiasm towards this machine developed at UPEC when you told me about the projects you were doing with the Chinese laser cutter. And I agree that what you bought is fine for personal to low-volume usage. For personal purchases you don't get the Section 179 deduction for capital equipment - another reason to "go big" if a business depends on it - you can deduct the whole purchase price off taxable income. You may also want to tell us about the laser alignment issue you had to resolve.
I probably wouldn't want to design an enclosure for the Propeller Demo Board for the following reasons: . . .
I realize this is much more information than you wanted to know. I am comfortable providing it because it helps you understand why we couldn't do what you asked us to do. My Parallax life is mostly business - while you get to have many fascinating discussions about your projects I toil in spreadsheets and business software. However, without a doubt my most personally rewarding work occurs when I get to use our own products in a project of my choice.
Ken, I appreciate the response. You clearly gave (or have given) my suggestion some thought. (IMHO, the fact is available elsewhere would be reason enough.) And I'm sorry to hear you don't get to spend enough time playing with the toys you helped create.
OK Ken, this is very cool! I think you should probably get a kick back from the Laser cutter guys too. I'm about to buy one.
Anyway as a suggestion, I hate to ask this but there is a reason. Can the Clear and black or color mix and match? If you could get an opaque color case with a clear side or top panel then mounting LCD's inside without seeing all of the guts behind would be super easy.
OK Ken, this is very cool! I think you should probably get a kick back from the Laser cutter guys too. I'm about to buy one.
Anyway as a suggestion, I hate to ask this but there is a reason. Can the Clear and black or color mix and match? If you could get an opaque color case with a clear side or top panel then mounting LCD's inside without seeing all of the guts behind would be super easy.
Yes, all enclosures are produced from the same set of design files so you can mix and match as you desire - blue with red, black and clear, etc.
I'm sure these will be fine for most benign applications but if your baby fears steel toed boots and dropped hammers check out http://www.contextengineering.com.
Jim, part of my enthusiasm towards this machine developed at UPEC when you told me about the projects you were doing with the Chinese laser cutter. And I agree that what you bought is fine for personal to low-volume usage. For personal purchases you don't get the Section 179 deduction for capital equipment - another reason to "go big" if a business depends on it - you can deduct the whole purchase price off taxable income. You may also want to tell us about the laser alignment issue you had to resolve.
Ken, I do Title 179 too. I reinvest about 15% of my budget back into my business every year. This year I upgraded my main laptop to a 980X, 12GB Ram, and 2 SSD drives. There's nothing like coding with 6 cores.... ;-) Actually 8 cores is fun too.... The old Quad Core with only 4 GB of RAM was just not opening my emails fast enough.... ;-)
Countersunk phillips screws (or better, countersunk hex socket screws) would look a bit nicer and make the top and bottom surface flat. An extra manufacturing step, though..
As Ken mentioned, Black Opaque is on it way. We had our first run today - they look SWEET... kind of got that "Darth Vader" feel about them actually - you know...awesome hidden power within - oh yeah that's right! There IS awesome hidden power within - the Propeller!
-Matt
Is it possible to get an image laser etched on top of the enclosure? How about a couple canned images such as a big propeller hat, maybe the parallax logo, or some other propeller image? I understand that it would be to much to do everyone's custom images, but offering a few images that could be easily done might be worth $5 more?
Comments
-Matt
So I have to understand how a prop board is working. Is there a post, a link, a page somethere where I can undertand how to use all those useless holes?
Also, is the small sticker on the right for sell on the store?
Thanks,
JM
PS: Please stop building so fun stuff, it will start to cost me to much
What costs such an Epilog Laser Cutter ?
I've found the product but no prices in the Internet.
Andy
While you may sell a lot more protoboards, you may actually sell more cases for the Demo board. Anyway, a case is excellent news and I love the translucent blue.
Maybe it will be easier to just re-size the Demo Board like the Proto Board?
Or sell a blank board, the size of the Proto Board, that we can drill where we need to fix our own board (Demo, GG, etc.)
Just an idea
JM
Epilog doesn't post their prices on the internet. The 24x36 EXT 75W Epilog costs about $40,000. You don't need to spend this much if you aren't demanding a lot from the laser. What was important to us includes power (faster, saves staff time), closed-loop servos (precision, no fuss), large work envelope for less material handling and preparation and a well-known company with really good support. We could make these boxes on a $10K laser cutter, too, but with some tradeoffs (smaller work envelope, longer cut times, etc.). This particular laser is well-suited for production work and I'm glad we didn't buy any less of a tool.
I've learned my lesson with low-cost tools. I will always buy more than we need because we tend to grow into the tool's capabilities and we always end up using them for things we didn't initially envision. On one hand the early experiences I've had with desktop CNC lathes and mills were truly valuable, but some of these tools now sit idle.
This particular company was recommend by Phil Pilgrim, a friend of ours from the forums.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=847513
For a blank Proto board, you must have been asleep:
http://www.parallax.com/StoreSearchResults/tabid/768/txtSearch/blank/List/0/SortField/4/ProductID/682/Default.aspx :smilewinkgrin:
Jim
That is far above my budget...
Andy
I got my Epilog Zing 16 for around $8000. It's a 35W unit with a 16" x 12" work envelope. (It was a demo unit, and came with some needed accessories.) It's great for prototyping and short production runs. And it makes thin enough incisions that you can even cut splines with it to fit servo shafts or fine-pitched gears.
If you buy a used unit, though, it pays to find out how old it is. The reason is that the laser tubes age, even if they're not being used. (I think the gas must leak out over time.) Anyway, for mine, a refurbished tube with a trade-in costs about $1000.
If I were going to get another Zing, I'd probably shop for the 24" model -- not so much to make things that big, but because a lot of the materials you buy come in 24" x 12" pieces, or multiples thereof. It just makes better use of the material if you don't have to cut it up first to fit it in the machine.
-Phil
Regarding the board, I was more thinking about a "blanker" board. Just the material with no holes, no printings, etc. I think i can find something cheaper...
Can you also make PCBs with such a "Zing" (engraving outlines, like with milling machines)?
I have read metall is not cutable with 35W, but there is only 35um copper on a PCB, so have you tried that?
Andy
There are several smaller models for less money.
Backing up what Ken has said, I agree if you can afford a nicer brand/machine, that would be better. This is a much less expensive unit from China. I have had a few problems, but nothing serious. The support on these units is not very good. You have to pretty much figure things out on your own. But, for the money I saved, it's worth it to me. And the nicer units would not even be a possibility for my budget.
http://cgi.ebay.com/60-Watt-CO2-LASER-ENGRAVER-MACHINE-NEW-60W-ENGRAVING-/230508362091?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ab5e796b
Laser engravers of these low wattages cannot engrave metal. Basically, the beam just gets reflected.
-Phil
It fits any projects perfectly!
Jim, part of my enthusiasm towards this machine developed at UPEC when you told me about the projects you were doing with the Chinese laser cutter. And I agree that what you bought is fine for personal to low-volume usage. For personal purchases you don't get the Section 179 deduction for capital equipment - another reason to "go big" if a business depends on it - you can deduct the whole purchase price off taxable income. You may also want to tell us about the laser alignment issue you had to resolve.
The Bill of Materials (BOM) is setup and materials are being ordered. Expect them in about 10 days.
Ken Gracey
Parallax Inc.
Anyway as a suggestion, I hate to ask this but there is a reason. Can the Clear and black or color mix and match? If you could get an opaque color case with a clear side or top panel then mounting LCD's inside without seeing all of the guts behind would be super easy.
Yes, all enclosures are produced from the same set of design files so you can mix and match as you desire - blue with red, black and clear, etc.
Ken, I do Title 179 too. I reinvest about 15% of my budget back into my business every year. This year I upgraded my main laptop to a 980X, 12GB Ram, and 2 SSD drives. There's nothing like coding with 6 cores.... ;-) Actually 8 cores is fun too.... The old Quad Core with only 4 GB of RAM was just not opening my emails fast enough.... ;-)
-Matt
http://www.parallax.com/tabid/156/ProductID/709/List/0/Default.aspx
We have like 24 in stock, but it seems the receiving people were all gone; however the link works and the product is up.
However, anything one-off would cost way more than $5 in setup costs. Someone with a laser may be interested to do it as a favour.