2011 Tidewater, VA Camp Shopbot

Bill shows off a small CNC which was cut out of recycled plastic.

Bill shows off a small CNC which was cut out of recycled plastic.

As most of you already know we had to postpone this Camp from it’s original date until Nov. 5th due to some “post hurricane damage” incurred by our host, Angus Hines after his “gravity attack” while working on his shop roof…..Luckily his rehabilitation has been coming along nicely, and he was able to scoot around the shop/Camp pretty well.

Throughout the day we had close to 30 Campers, ranging from people who had never seen a Shopbot, to some with very extensive experience.

We got into a little bit of everything from cutting plastic, to running a Shopbot probe , with a continual dialogue about how to make a “‘Bot business” work.

Bill Young brought along a small DIY CNC machine which was cut out of plastic by a Shopbot.

William Davis, and Adrian O’Neal brought in a few signs they are cutting for the North Carolina parks out of  “color core”, and they explained how the Shopbot has allowed them to do more, with less staffing on hand. We used their experience to get into the sign making process for awhile, and a number of people shared their own experiences with customers, and installing signs they had made.

Joe Johnston brought in a sign he has partially completed, and explained how he plans to use gold leaf as a finishing touch for added impact.

Two of the type signs which are being cut on a Shopbot for the North Carolina park system.

Two of the type signs which are being cut on a Shopbot for the North Carolina park system.

Frank Allen brought in a few samples of pieces he had probed so we could review the process of probing, and then cutting a “2D profile”.

There was some interest in the mold making process and we went into the idea of using the Shopbot to make “masters” for a mold.

Angus showed a few things that he has been making in his shop, with both his Shopbot, and laser. He also showed how his double zone vacuum system works/sounds when in operation.

I also brought along a small vacuum pump/pod setup, and a “Brady vac”system, so we got into the various possibilities for holding parts down which led to  some feedback regarding the use of larger systems such as the “roots blower” system.

Angus’s wife Jacqui served up a killer lunch, and Bill Young brought along plenty of goodies from the infamous “Yellow Duck bakery” so in fine Tidewater tradition everyone listened, and ate well throughout the day.

Only glitch at all was the fact that for some reason my camera stopped working early in the day, and I only have two pix to document the Camp. One is of Bill Young and the DIY CNC machine, and the other is of the signs being done for the North Carolina park systems.

Many thanks to those who attended, and to Angus, and Jacqui for opening their shop/home to us for the day !

 

 

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