Hi CNCMystic, No quickly aborted this idea, as too many parts are not generally available so significant redesign would be needed, and no real community. Other than slight indications mentioned above, never found any evidence of open source type activity around this design. Conclusion is that whilst Handibot was an interesting idea, ultimately it is an evolutionary dead end. For woodworkerby AndrewG - Handibot Forum
Hi CNCMystic, Sorry only just seen your post No I did not go ahead with a DIY version as whilst the drawings are available, many of the purchased parts are proprietary and not easily available, and so you would have to redesign everything. Also there is no real community for this device as evident on this forum. As far as I could discover no one ever used the nominally open source design to buby AndrewG - Handibot Forum
Hi Brian, Not at all surprised if you, like many others, are having to work hard to just help your business survive and prosper in these challenging times. Good luck with your expanded duties. As and when you have time to share your thoughts on the evolution of the Handibot concept, I am sure we will all be very interested. For me, having looked at the Handibot design in more detail - it isby AndrewG - Handibot Forum
Brian, Good to know you are on the case and await with interest your reveal! Know all about IRL snafu derailing plans, thank goodness for parametric modelling.....yet one never seems to have accommodated quite that particular change! I think to me the key objective is retain the key 'handibot' characteristics that will allow us to leverage the innovation in accessories and work pracby AndrewG - Handibot Forum
Ok got some time over the weekend to consider the options, and made the following decisions. 1. Stick with 6x8x3.5 work envelope (or it wouldn't be a Handibot!) 2, Exoframe - prototype will be plywood and alumiunium - objective to be able to machine with manual woodworking tools. Possibly cut panels eventually on larger CNC and upgrade to HDPE. 3. Linear motion - copy use of HGR15 Hiwby AndrewG - Handibot Forum
A discussion started here, that touched on a number of issues in the world of Handibot. Brian shared a lot of the history of Handibots evolution and why rather than the $1k machine originally envisaged, it is now an almost $5k machine. My personal agenda as an engineer turned furniture maker who uses CNC services but want to get a first machine into my workshop, is that Handibot is the closby AndrewG - Handibot Forum
Thanks moretoyswins for weighing in, your views and thoughts support exactly what I thought looking in from the outside (and profile rails on V slot is all sorts of wrong, but something better will emerge from these Openbuilds experiements). Brian, glad you seem fired up as the community will need you to move things forward. So three conclusions 1. Brian, the documentation from handibot isby AndrewG - Handibot Forum
Brian and Mark, Thanks for sharing so much in your responses, and taking my comments in the spirit they were intended.....and wow, so many directions to explore.....wish I had started a new thread for it with appropriate title now! Brian, I think your instincts were and are right. Building an ecosystem around the machine was a good strategy (bet Shaper's accountants are pleased about theby AndrewG - Handibot Forum
Thought I would pick up on this thread, as forum distressingly quiet, and Brian and Mark have done so much to make the Handibot a success.......but it did not break out. What went wrong? I think the original vision of a $1k open source machine made from 'proper' linear motion components was spot on. But it didn't work out that way: Open Builds and their V slot, skate wheels aby AndrewG - Handibot Forum
Well done Brian for encouraging them. Let's hope they do complete the project, and then shares their experience. I can understand why the open source DIY aspect of this machine has not taken off in the US where Shopbot do such a good job as supplier, but the lack of any evidence of successful DIY builds undoubtedly reduces adoption elsewhere. I think the Handibot design philosophy for affby AndrewG - Handibot Forum
Just noticed for UK people, someone is offering a kit of all the Handibot 12mm HDPE on ebay.co.uk. Has anyone successfully built a Handibot from scratch using the open source information? The way exchange rate is going, we are not going to be buying much from the US anytime soon. Curious, Andrewby AndrewG - Handibot Forum
Hi Brian, Thanks for the clear information. Interested that both the desktop and desktop max now allow end milling. This is an option widely lacking from most small CNC routers available in the UK. Guess I will need to tot up how ruinous the shipping and tax will be to buy, it is a bigger step to take into CNC. Will be interested to hear the feedback from putting a 1/2" Dewalt beast into tby AndrewG - Handibot Forum
Hi - I am a furniture maker in the UK, mainly making chairs from a small workshop (we are talking UK small not US small!) and am interested in how I can apply the growth in affordable CNC to my small business. I think Handibot might be the gateway for me getting CNC flexibility into my small shop. I use the Leigh FMT extensively for chair joints. With a 2.5HP 1/2" router and specific biby AndrewG - Handibot Forum