Two years ago, I began looking for a CNC Plasma table for our students to use in our classes. I wanted a high quality machine that was simple to use and easily maintained.  After listening to some of the horror stories from other teachers who have machines from the usual educational suppliers, I decided to do some research before buying.  While searching the internet for information about these machines, I came across DynaCNC’s website. I had been looking at several other manufacturers and had become frustrated with their lack of quality, hard sell tactics, and unwillingness to give referrals for their machines. Some companies refused to allow me to talk to customers, citing “privacy issues”. Others simply would not answer my request. DynaCNC referred me to several customers. After talking to these contacts, I visited their facility in Monroe, WA. The minute I saw their machines, I was amazed at the quality of construction.  I ordered a machine for my Technology Education program. The machine arrived completely assembled, crated so well that it took nearly half a day just to remove the crate. Setup instructions were clear and complete. All we had to do was position and level the machine, install the software, and connect the machine to the computer and plasma cutter. The whole setup process was simple and well documented. Our students, like most students with little or no machine experience, have given the machine a good dose of misuse.  It has performed flawlessly. The only problems I have encountered have been because of my own lack of knowledge or mistakes in programming. I have never used a better built or better performing machine in all my years of teaching. Because of this machine, our students can integrate their CAD training with real design/build practice. They have designed products, cut the components on our machine, and fabricated their creations using real processes and procedures. Our students also team with art students to create metal art objects. (This also works as a great fundraiser for the department!). We are planning on getting the inexpensive router conversion kit which DynaCNC offers for our machine. This will allow us to convert the machine to a CNC router configuration (Any size of plasma table can be easily converted to a router table in about ten minutes with this conversion kit). These are great machines  backed by a quality driven company (Check out their warranty below!) Anyone looking to purchase a CNC plasma table, router table, or bench-top CNC milling machine should seriously consider a DynaCNC product. Check out thir website at www.dynacnc.com.   

        This machine is a great motivational tool to get students to sign up for our classes. We are integrating it into several classes besides our Metals Manufacturing class. There is not a day that goes by without several students  stopping me in the hall to ask about this machine and what it does. We are getting more interest and respect from high performing academic students than ever before, and  teachers are stopping by too, all because of how we are utilizing this machine in our classes !  In short, this machine has provided a catalyst for revitalizing our Department.

        These machines  provide a great way to involve students with disabilities and other challenges in our classes. Every student can create a really motivating and attractive project without the frustration of being constantly behind everyone else. Activities can be easily designed with modifications for every type of learner.  And every student learns about automated manufacturing processes, programming, integration of math and science principles, and safe practice while creating something they value!  I keep a library of ready made projects on my computer that can be personalized for those students who have difficulty mastering the technical complexities of CNC programming or who have difficulty reading and following directions. Many students are motivated by the initial demonstration and practice to create complex products through the utilization of advanced graphic design software, or CAD and CAM software during the design process. This allows them to actually see the tangible results of their efforts and apply knowledge from other classes. All of these activities require them to apply high order thinking skills for problem solving in real life situations; and that, folks, is what we in education are all about! 

I can’t wait to see what the students accomplish when they use the new DynaCNC router conversion kit we ordered. I am sure the results will be equally impressive!

Update!

        I received my router conversion attachment this week! I have just ordered my router motor, so I have not had an opportunity to produce anything, but the conversion  from plasma table to router table took less than ten minutes! I did use my Vectric software (www.vectric.com ) to produce a simple router project, and then I ran the machine to see how it would run the 3D passes. It worked flawlessly. I have the stepper motors on my machine because our school budget could not support buying servo motors when we purchased the machine. The machine has the typical hesitation in movement that is unavoidable with stepper motors. I may upgrade to servo motors some day, but the machine works fine with the stepper system. I would encourage anyone purchasing a machine to get servo motors if you can afford them, but don’t pass up having one of these machines if you can only afford the stepper system. It works quite well.

I will be trying some programming using Mastercam (http://www.mastercamedu.com ) next week. I use both Mastercam and Vectric software packages, and am happy with both.