dmoore
Thu 22 May 2008, 10:23
I was entering this information in another post and though it needed it's own seperate post. This details the EZ-Router system compared to the MechMate. This "review" is somewhat biased since I built a MechMate. By going with the MechMate I got:
Heavier main beams and support board beams for more stability (turned inward for more room)
Better motors with better resolution and without exposed gear reduction (3:1 I'm guessing instead of my MechMate's 7.2:1)
Much better and more professional cable management (they offer cable management for an extra $763 (http://www.ez-router.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=174))
Better electronics and eletrical (shield cables (http://www.ez-router.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=63) , non-mechanical proxies, just one e-Stop, the better 203V Gecko's (http://www.ez-router.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=61))
The same speeds for cutting and jogging with the ability to double the speed for an extra $175 with a SmoothStepper
More Z (10+" as opposed to 6") with options for ~14" of Z for just a few hundred more (they offer 12" of Z at a cost of $1,800 (http://www.ez-router.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=157))
Larger cutting area (100" x 52")
Better step resolution - .0003 on the MechMate (X, Y, Z), .0005 on the EZ (only applies to X and Y, Z is likely to be ~.0010)
Better fastners (stainless steel)
My choice of color - not just Grizzly Green
Better integrated dust management system (I'll post on this in the near future)
I could add a second, independent spindle/router for only $575 (excluding the router itself) - not possible on the ez-router due to it's design
Better finish (electrical connections, hardware, adjustable feet, etc)
A better understanding of CNC and of my particular machine - I don't need to rely on support that may or may not be there
I saved ~$7,500 with my MechMate (the 4'x8' ez-router is $11,489 + $763 for cable mangement + $1,800 for extra Z). As to my own time building the machine - I would have had to spend 300+ hours at $25/hour to make up the cost difference. I've spent (building, excluding research) less than 120 hours building the MechMate.
http://www.ez-router.com/ProductImages/4X8.gif
http://www.ez-router.com/ProductImages/Y%20axis%20shot.jpg
http://www.ez-router.com/ProductImages/Fixed-for-web1.gif
Note the mechanical limit switches without proper cable strain reliefs and the "dangling" y-Car cable hose running through the gantry:
http://www.ez-router.com/ProductImages/Fixed-for-web2.gif
Note the smaller and exposed v-bearings (the pinion gear also doesn't appear to be fully on the track):
http://www.ez-router.com/ProductImages/Fixed-for-web3.gif
http://www.ez-router.com/ProductImages/Fixed-for-web4.gif
Bigger Z stepper with better resolution (note the lack of a geared setup):
http://www.ez-router.com/ProductImages/30X48-alternate.gif
Better spring perch design and shielded cables on the MechMate (the motors do appear to be grounded though):
http://www.ez-router.com/ProductImages/30X48-alternate3.gif
Geared motors on the MechMate Z asix for better resolution:
http://www.ez-router.com/ProductImages/30X48-alternate.gif
I could have even built the 5'x12' ez-router for just about $600 more than a 4'x8' table which they sell for $14,580 (two main beams, additional legs, additional support board beams):
http://www.ez-router.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=52
Heavier main beams and support board beams for more stability (turned inward for more room)
Better motors with better resolution and without exposed gear reduction (3:1 I'm guessing instead of my MechMate's 7.2:1)
Much better and more professional cable management (they offer cable management for an extra $763 (http://www.ez-router.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=174))
Better electronics and eletrical (shield cables (http://www.ez-router.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=63) , non-mechanical proxies, just one e-Stop, the better 203V Gecko's (http://www.ez-router.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=61))
The same speeds for cutting and jogging with the ability to double the speed for an extra $175 with a SmoothStepper
More Z (10+" as opposed to 6") with options for ~14" of Z for just a few hundred more (they offer 12" of Z at a cost of $1,800 (http://www.ez-router.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=157))
Larger cutting area (100" x 52")
Better step resolution - .0003 on the MechMate (X, Y, Z), .0005 on the EZ (only applies to X and Y, Z is likely to be ~.0010)
Better fastners (stainless steel)
My choice of color - not just Grizzly Green
Better integrated dust management system (I'll post on this in the near future)
I could add a second, independent spindle/router for only $575 (excluding the router itself) - not possible on the ez-router due to it's design
Better finish (electrical connections, hardware, adjustable feet, etc)
A better understanding of CNC and of my particular machine - I don't need to rely on support that may or may not be there
I saved ~$7,500 with my MechMate (the 4'x8' ez-router is $11,489 + $763 for cable mangement + $1,800 for extra Z). As to my own time building the machine - I would have had to spend 300+ hours at $25/hour to make up the cost difference. I've spent (building, excluding research) less than 120 hours building the MechMate.
http://www.ez-router.com/ProductImages/4X8.gif
http://www.ez-router.com/ProductImages/Y%20axis%20shot.jpg
http://www.ez-router.com/ProductImages/Fixed-for-web1.gif
Note the mechanical limit switches without proper cable strain reliefs and the "dangling" y-Car cable hose running through the gantry:
http://www.ez-router.com/ProductImages/Fixed-for-web2.gif
Note the smaller and exposed v-bearings (the pinion gear also doesn't appear to be fully on the track):
http://www.ez-router.com/ProductImages/Fixed-for-web3.gif
http://www.ez-router.com/ProductImages/Fixed-for-web4.gif
Bigger Z stepper with better resolution (note the lack of a geared setup):
http://www.ez-router.com/ProductImages/30X48-alternate.gif
Better spring perch design and shielded cables on the MechMate (the motors do appear to be grounded though):
http://www.ez-router.com/ProductImages/30X48-alternate3.gif
Geared motors on the MechMate Z asix for better resolution:
http://www.ez-router.com/ProductImages/30X48-alternate.gif
I could have even built the 5'x12' ez-router for just about $600 more than a 4'x8' table which they sell for $14,580 (two main beams, additional legs, additional support board beams):
http://www.ez-router.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=52