FAQ...CNC Router ...Plasma Cutter

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Proud to be a member of NAMM. We will have a booth at the Anaheim Location in Jan of 2006.
CNC Machines provides guitars makers Precision - Speed - Quality and still maintaining a high end custom product.

Software - CAD, CAM, Controllers, Z Axis, Y Axis, X Axis, Limit switches, Router Mounts

Design	Q - How Do I design a shape that is of the guitar body, neck, inlays and so on.
	A - You can use a CAD software to create 3D paths, arks, circles, drill holes lines and other paths.

3D Scanning. New 1/23/07	Q - How Do take what I have made and digitalize it so that I can cut the body, or other components?
	A - There is a scanning technology that allow you to scan guitars sections and piece the sections together to form a digital shape of your guitar. The accuracy can be down to .005 inch. The scanner is made by Nextengine. It sells for $2500.00. They are friendly and are very helpful. Training is available, give them a call. Scan your product and start cutting guitar parts!

New to CAD Drawing software	Q - How long does it take to understand the CAD program.
	A - Some colleges offer CAD classes. Takes about 30-60 days to finish the course. You can also download a demo to see how fast you absorb the interface and the basics. Down loan a demo by clicking the link to the right Rhino. RhinoCAD About $600. Another great CAD software is ArtCam. Vizion (ArtCam). ArtCam was used to produce the Guitar Bodies that was shown at the NAMM show.

New to CAM Tool control software	Q - How long does it take to understand the CAM program.
	A - Some colleges offer CAD classes. Takes about 30-60 days to finish the course. You can also download a demo to see how fast you absorb the interface. Down loan a demo by clicking the link to the right. VisualMill About 1000 retail - K2 price $895. Click Here for tutorial Video

Control Software	Q - Do I need other software other than CAD and CAM?
	A - Yes, You will need a G-Code interpreter software like MACH2 or MACH 3 to be installed into the machine computer that must be installed separately from the Rhino and Visualmill CAM software. Download a demo Mach 2 link. The difference from a license version is the demo max out at 1000 lines of code. About $199.

Machine	Q - What machine is best for Guitar Making? And Why
	A - We recommend the KG-3925 with .001" backlash ballscrews, (Added 7/29/06) We recommend the 8" high Z axis. The 8 inches will allow you to dry run - cut air for testing purposes. This is a size that will accommodate the cutting of most guitars. The design of the parts keep the majority or all wood chips out of bearing and ballscrews.

Finish Pass

Q - Can the machine fine cut a part of the guitar so the I spend less time sanding by hand?

A - Our current clients uses the machine to rough and finish cut the guitar necks and body. Some finishing operations will take approximately 30 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the step over/feed rate/type of wood/cutter diameter. We teamed up with Vizion Technologies and used ArtCam to produce an organic guitar body for the NAMM show. Using a half inch ball endmill and a tool path of .030" step over, the cutting operation was timed at 4 hours without being optimized. With faster feed rate and future optimization of the tool path the body finish should have taken only 1.5 hours.

inlays	Q - Can the machine cut inlays for the guitar?
	A - Yes - there are technical out there that will allow you to hold the inlays and cut them using the appropriate bit. The future form on this website may assist you in learning how.

Box for CNC	Q - Does the machine need an enclosure to keep down the noise or contain dust?
	A - We - recommend that you make a box if you do production 3D cutting. We will have a box design estimated in Dec of 05.

Quality	Q - How long should my machine last with proper maintenance?
	A - The linear rails are steal and the bearing block have a grease inlet. We recommend a greasing per week or more if running over 8 hours per day. Defects on parts are warranted for one year. Over 99% of the KG3925 have not called in for replacement parts for in a one year term or more.

Dust Vacuum	Q - Do I need a Dust Collection system?
	A - NO - but when we tested wood cutting up to 95% of the wood dust and chips were contained or vacuum into the vacuum systems. We are expected to release a dust vacuum system in beginning of November.

Accuracy of KG-3925	Q - Will the accuracy of the .001 inch backlash tolerance be enough for my guitar making application?
	A - With typical wood cutting, the weak link will be the cutter and not the machine. The cutter will have deflection if there is too large of a cut made. To achieve an accurate cut, we recommend that you program a finish cut into your operation or using a roughing tool prior. There are different offsets per types of wood and cutters.

Recommend options for Guitar Making

Q - If I wanted a Turnkey system, what would I need?

A - Items are listed Below
1- KG-3925 Frame
2- 3 Servo Motor controller
3 -3qty of the 305oz/in Torque Servo Motors
4 - Al Table Top
5- Cable Carriers
6- Porter Cable
7- Quick Tool Change (sold outside of K2)
8- Mach 2/3
9- RhinoCAM or VisualMill Basic 5.0
10- Rigid Linear Rails on Z Axis (8" of movment and travel)
11- Home Limit Switches (3qty)
12- Fixturing system or clamps(sold outside of K2)

Or you can just inform us that you are making guitars and we will place you into the right options.

How do I buy a vacuum system	Q - where can I find a vacuum supplier for light vacuum hold down applications.
	A - Guitar vacuum supplier. Click here.

Form for Guitar Making	Q - How do I get more information to making Guitars?
	A - K2 plans on launching a form for the customers currently using the KG-3925.

KG-3925-G	Q - What model is the NAMM show machine? And why is it not on your site?
	A - The NAMM Model was modified to have more rigidity. It is the KG-3925-G model. We will be launching the model soon onto the site. You may request the KG-3925-G model. It is currently available upon request. IF you saw the machine at the NAMM show please specify that you would like a quote on the machine seen at NAMM. The KG-3925-G.

Rhino CAM Video on how to design and make toolpaths.

Click Here to Download Video (9MB file)

Guitar Body
Video

(7/3/06)
2.5 D (Profile with depth control)
0.5" Bit.
Feed Rate: 150ipm.
Colombo Spindle 3HP
KG-2525-GC
3 Passes plus a finish pass.
Profile and Pocket Milling.
Time: About 15 minutes.

Click Here to Download Video (9MB file)

Guitar Fret Cutting with Saw
Video

NEW (1/22/08)
Saw Blade
.020 wide
Feed Rate: 60ipm.
Fits onto Z plate - must remove the router.
KG-3925-G
1 Pass at .100 inch deep
3D arch

Click Here to Download Video (10MB file)

Links to Customers that uses our machines:

WDK Guitars
Fat Tuna Designs
Allison Guitars
RBB Architects Inc.
Display Spotlight Co.
PediaGraph
Hamlin Electronics
JGguitars
Nordstrandguitars
ReithGuitars
FineTunedInstruments

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