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Hi, I'm very new to CNC machining so please forgive the ignorance of my questions! Basically, I own a small bronze foundry and am wanting to branch out into using CNC milling machines and lathes to help me in making high relief sculptures and statues (they would range from quite small to 7 meters high and be made in materials such as foam, wood, and stone).

For a large CNC 4 or 5 axis milling machine or lathe to do the sculptures that are up to 7 meters high, I see that there are new machines from makers like OMAG that are around $200,000. Does anyone know if you can get machines that are used or refurbished that can handle such projects for cheaper, or would these older models not be capable of doing such intricate work?

Let's say I wanted to start smaller with a 4 or 5 axis machine or lathe that could handle a statue which is less than a meter high. Anyone know price ranges for such a machine, either new or used/refurbished?

Thanks for any info,

Tim

Tim,

Here are some places that sell used CNC machines

http://www.emachinetool.com/usedcnc/index.cfm

http://www.abltechnology.com/

http://www.cnctool.com/

Hope this helps.

Thanks so much.

Best,

Tim

Hello Tim,

Here is some inspiration. These guys are using robotic arms to sculpt foam. We used to run virtually the same arm for production welding. I am guessing it works here because the side loads are lower with foam. Pretty cool stuff.

http://www.cncinformation.com/multi-axis-cnc-foam-videos/

Ivan

I've been dreaming of one of these,,
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-qIpVLw2xP8&feature=related
I'm not ready to put a second mortgage on the house though!

Obviously that machine is over built for foam. And the bit used doesn't allow for high detail.They probably trim with a smaller one for detail or do it by hand.

I believe a much lighter weight one could be built at a mere fraction of the price! It's the software that i have no knowlage of ?