MACHINE QUESTIONS
What is the CarveWright machine able to do? You can think of the CarveWright machine
as a desktop publishing system for wood and
other soft materials. The easy to use CarveWright
Designer software lets the user create original
designs without having to use complicated
CAD software. Once the design is ready, the
information is uploaded to the machine via
a memory card and carved. The machine can
carve, cut, surface, edge route, and miter
a workpiece with a variety of bits and techniques.
The machine requires no prior knowledge of
machine tools. It does almost all of the
setup with its sensors and prompts the user
for information when required.
What are the specifications of the CarveWright
machine? Package Size: 28.5" x 20.25" x
18" Package Weight: 78 lbs (35.4 kg)
Machine Weight: 70 lbs (31.8 kg) Cut Motor
Speed (No Load): 20,000 rpm Cut Motor Horsepower
(Peak): 1.0 Hp Electrical Rating: 110VAC
at 8 A, 60 HZ Maximum Workpiece Size: 14.5"
wide x 5.0" tall x 12' long (Limited
by weight) Minimum Workpiece Size: 1.5"
wide x 0.5" tall x 7.0" long
How long can the machine run? The machine can run for long periods of
time under normal operating conditions. We
have carved projects that have taken six
or more hours with no problems. Under heavy
loading it is recommended that you periodically
let the cutting head cool down.
Do I have to manually set the speed and feed
rate for the machine?
The machine automatically sets the optimal
speed and feed rates based on the function
that it is performing.
The user will never have
to calculate or
input this information.
(Back to the Top)
What is the resolution of the machine?
The core capability of the CarveWright is
as a carving machine. The machine configuration
and control software are quite different
than a classic mill. As such the terms resolution
and accuracy are hard to correlate to what
you expect from a classic milling machine.
Our controllable resolution is .00025"
on the Y and Z-axes and .0015" on the
X-axis. The accuracy of any single raster
carving line is on the order of .005"-.010"
in the y and Z and the step width is between
.005" and .010" depending on the
quality setting you choose. When you are
talking accuracy of position of two elements
across a 60" board the value is even
higher.
Is it possible to run the machine on 220V
AC?
The tool currently runs
only on 60 Hz 110V
AC.
What are the suggested operating conditions
for the machine?
The recommended operating environment is
between 60F and 100F.
Does the machine have a dust collection system?
The machine does have a vacuum impeller built-in
as well as an external vacuum port that fits
2-1/4" OD hose. The built-in vacuum
system maintains airflow through the machine
and removes airborne dust that can build
up on the sensors. It is not designed to
remove all generated chips and dust. Most
of the dust generated by the CarveWright
remains confined in the machine and will
not affect the machine performance. After
every project simply vacuum or use compressed
air to clear the dust. The machine is designed
to allow dust and larger debris to fall through
the bottom of the machine via a cutout. The
most effective way to remove this dust without
voiding the machine's warranty is to setup
a downdraft vacuum system. Customers have
reported great success using this method.
Please see our user forums for more information.
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PROJECT AND BOARD SPECS
What materials can the machine carve?
The CarveWright can work
in most soft materials
including wood (including
exotic hardwoods), suitable plastic, and foam. Any materials
outside these families are not to be used
with the machine unless explicitly stated
by CarveWright. At present, the CarveWright
does not carve in metal, ceramic tile, stone,
glass, or concrete.
What wood types produce the best carving
results?
We have found that hard materials with tight
grains produce the best finishes. In most
cases, feathering and chip out will increase
as the grain size increases. Also dry materials
tend to produce a better quality finish.
What are the maximum workpiece dimensions?
The machine can handle a workpiece up to
14.5" wide x 5.0"
tall and 12 feet
long. The maximum length
in most cases is
dependent on the weight
of the workpiece
and is related to both
quality of the carving
and longevity of the drive
mechanism. Any
workpiece more than 20
lbs in weight places
increased stress on the
drive mechanism and
will accelerate wear of
the system. Although
there is no physical limit
to workpiece length,
stand-alone support rollers
should be used
on any workpiece over 3
feet long to achieve
the best results.
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What are the minimum workpiece dimensions?
The minimum acceptable
size of a workpiece
that can be inserted into
the CarveWright
is 1.5" wide x 0.5"
thick x 7.0"
long. It will be necessary
to mount the workpiece
onto a jig if any single
dimension is smaller
than the stated minimums.
We are currently
developing and testing
several jigs for specialized
situations such as this.
What is the maximum depth of cut?
The maximum depth of cut is 1.0" with
the 1/8" cutting bit and 0.8" with
the 1/16" carving bit.
What is the output quality of the cutting
passes?
Like a printer, projects
can be configured
to run in a draft mode
(low quality), normal
quality, or best quality
depending on the
situation. The quality
mode dictates the
speed of the cut and amount
of material removed
per pass. On the best quality
setting the
spacing between passes
is .006".
How long does a typical project take to carve?
The carving time of each project is determined
by four main variables: the size of the project,
the quality setting selected, the depth of
cut, and the cutting mode. Like a printer,
the user can select the output quality. The
higher the quality setting selected the longer
the project will take to run. The CarveWright
produces carvings by two different cut modes;
raster carving and vector carving modes.
Raster carvings are produced by making many
small passes with the cutting bit, building
the image one line at a time. A vector carving
is produced when the bit follows a 3-D path
generated by the software. Vector carvings
are typically much faster than raster carvings.
The software will estimate total cut time
when you upload the project to the memory
card. For comparison the top of the small
jewelry box (8.5" x 5.5" x 3.5")
took one hour to carve in normal quality.
The larger box (10" x 13" x 6")
took 5 hours at high quality.
(Back to the Top)
Can both sides of the material be carved?
The CarveWright software
enables you to place
designs on both sides of
the workpiece. Many
times a two sided design
will require a special
jig because of the way
the machine moves
and measures the material.
The machine does
not currently have the
capability to fully
carve in the round although
the machine has
been designed to allow
this feature in the
future.
Can I seam two pieces together to create
a larger piece?
The machine has the precision
to output multiple
pieces that will line up
well when seamed
together if the project
is laid out correctly
in the software.
Can the machine cut all the way through the
material?
Yes the drive belt configuration allows the
machine to plunge any bit below the bottom
surface of the workpiece. The machine is
also configured so that the entire topside
of the material can be carved.
How does the machine perform cutouts without
the loose pieces interfering?
The software automatically
adds small tabs
that bridge to any pieces
that are cut out
using the "Cut Out"
function. These
tabs keep the pieces from
dropping out and
binding the system or cutting
bit. These
tabs can be cut with a
razor or snapped off
after the piece is removed.
Can the machine do joinery?
The CarveWright can currently do miter and
bevel cuts and can be commanded to do dados
and rabbets. Future software packages will
include other joinery functions like Dovetails.
Can the machine carve complex surfaces such
as gunstocks or pistol
grips?
Yes the machine can carve complex surfaces.
A very accurate representation of an existing
surface can be obtained by using the surface-scanning
probe available on our website. Many times
a jig will be required to index the material
to be carved.
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ACCESSORIES
What is the surface-scanning probe?
The scanning probe allows 3-D pieces to be
scanned into the software
and added to the
library. The scanner creates
a 3-D surface
map by tracing the surface
with the needle
probe. The maximum scan
depth is 1.0".
Most objects will need
to be placed on a
special scanning jig so
that they can be
fed into the machine.
Can I use my own bits?
The machine has a standard
library of approved
bits that it can draw from.
Because of variations
in bit geometry and size
among different
brands, only CarveWright
brand bits can be
used. Use of other bits
may void the warranty.
90% of machine functionality
is done with
the included carving and
cutting bits. Please
visit the CarveWright website
store for a
listing of bits and bit
sets.
How long will the carving
bits last?
The 1/16" carving bit is solid carbide
and will last for many hours if treated correctly.
Lifetime is directly related to what materials
are being cut. Cutting in materials with
glue (such as plywood or particle board)
will tend to wear the bit faster. The typical
reason a carving bit needs to be replaced
is that it is dropped and the tip is chipped.
(Back to the Top)
Can you use more than one
bit during a project?
The software will allow
the user to create
projects that use as many
of the CarveWright
approved bits as desired.
On projects that
use more than one bit,
the machine will prompt
the user for each bit,
as it is needed. The
patented quick-change system
makes changing
bits fast and easy.
Does the software automatically
select the
bits for the user?
It depends on what functions are being commanded.
Some functions require
certain bits while
other functions can use
any one of many user
selectable bits.
What is the capacity of
the memory card?
The capacity of the memory
card is large
enough to hold a significant
number of projects
and scans. How many it
will hold depends
on the size of the individual
projects. Typically
we get 30 to 40 projects
on a card. If the
card fills up, simply delete
some of the
files using the Flash Manager
in the software.
As long as you keep the
project file on your
computer you can re-upload
it at any time.
Can I buy additional memory
cards and programmers?
Additional memory cards
and programmers can
be purchased online at
our web store for
those using more than one
design computer.
Can you connect the machine directly to your
computer?
There is no need or accommodation
for connecting
the machine directly to
a computer. The CarveWright
is configured this way
is so that your computer
will not have to be exposed
to the shop environment.
The machine comes with
a memory card and
a memory card programmer
that plugs into
a USB port on you computer.
Once a project
is downloaded from you
computer to the card
(via the programmer) you
simply remove the
card and insert it into
the memory card slot
in the machine. Also, the
machine is not
wireless compatible.
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SOFTWARE AND COMPUTER
Can I try the software before I purchase
the machine?
Yes, on the main website page there is a
link for 'Downloads'
that will allow you
to download and use
the software for
30 days.
Simply fill in the
information and hit
the
'Send' button. This
will give you full
functionality
of the software.
Once you purchase
your machine,
you can continue
using the same software
by registering your
machine.
What operating systems does the software
operate on?
The software is available for Windows and
Macintosh operating
systems. Specifically
the software will
run on Windows 2000,
Windows
XP, Windows Vista
(testing), and Mac
OS X
version 10.4 or higher.
We are currently
testing compatibility
with Windows Vista
and have many customers
that are using the
software on Vista.
However we are not
Vista
certified at the
moment. Please contact
us
with any Vista installation
issue.
What are the computer system requirements
for the software?
Windows Operating System Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2,
Windows 2000, or Windows Vista 128MB of RAM (256 MB or greater recommended)
75MB of available hard-disk space CD-ROM
compatible drive Internet or phone connection
required for software activation* Internet
connection required for software/firmware
upgrades (Broadband recommended) Graphics
card with OpenGL support for GPU-accelerated
playback Macintosh Operating System Mac OS
X version 10.4 or later 128MB of RAM (256
MB or greater recommended) 75MB of available
hard-disk space CD-ROM compatible drive Internet
or phone connection required for software
activation* Internet connection required
for software/firmware upgrades (Broadband
recommended)
What text fonts will the machine carve?
The CarveWright design
software is able
to
use all fonts already
installed on your
computer.
This means that there
are no proprietary
fonts that you have
to buy with the machine.
There are three distinct
text effects that
can be created with
the software. Raster
mode carves the letters
with thin passes,
one after another;
similar to the way
a printer
works. Outlining
text produces a cut
at the
perimeter of the
letter. Centerline
text
will generate a centerline
and vary the depth
of the cutting bit
based on the width
of
the original font.
Software Updates/Upgrades
(Back to the Top)
How do I update the software?
For users with a
high-speed Internet connection,
updating the software
is very fast and easy.
Simply open the CarveWright
Designer software
and make sure that
you are connected to the
Internet. From the
top toolbar select "Help".
From the Help drop
down menu select "Check
for Updates".
The software will then
open a window that
will display your current
software build and
guide you through the
update process if
needed.
For what period of time will online updates
be provided as part of the purchase price?
Online updates to the base software and software
support are provided free of charge for one
year. Typically, updates include bug fixes
and small feature improvements.
Can we run the software on more than one
computer?
Customers are allowed to install the software
on up to two computers at any one time.
Where do existing customers get software
support?
Directly from the Manufacturer, their technical
support line has qualified personnel who
will help you for as long as you own your
machine.
Explain the basis of the software look and
feel.
The fundamental concept behind the CarveWright
Designer software is that the user does not
have to be a CAD designer or graphic artist
to output unique designs. We liken the software
to desktop publishing software where the
design elements (in this case 3-D patterns)
can be selected from existing libraries.
Explain the 3-D element libraries.
The CarveWright design software is configured
very much like a clip art program. There
are libraries of 3-D elements that the user
can drag and drop into the design. These
elements can be modified in many different
ways once they are placed on the workpiece.
For example they can be resized, rotated,
stretched, mirrored, inverted, copied, deepened,
constrained, dimensioned, outlined, or cut
out. Additional library elements will be
available for purchase through a searchable
online database. The price will depend on
the element.
(Back to the Top)
Can I add additional elements to the library?
There are several ways for users to add elements
to the library. First, additional elements
can be purchased through the CarveWright
online database. Second, the CarveWright
software can import standard graphics files
and place them in the user's custom library.
Likewise photographs can be added to the
library. Third, adding actual 3-D elements
is possible with the CarveWright surface-scanning
probe, which maps the surface of an existing
3-D element.
Can I import graphics to be carved?
You can import standard graphic files like
.bmp, .png, .jpeg, .gif, and others into
the software. It is important to note that
the software imports the graphic and converts
it into a gray scale object. This means that
the darker areas are carved deeper and lighter
colors are carved Shallower. Simple clip
art designs and logos come out very well.
Other more complex designs may take some
editing to achieve the desired effect. The
quality of the carved output is highly dependent
on the resolution of the image that you are
importing. High-resolution images are recommended
especially if the carving is large in size.
The software allows you to quickly invert
the depth scale if desired.
Can I import photographs to be carved?
Photographs can be imported directly by the
software and added to the workpiece. The
software converts the photograph's color
directly to depth (black and white being
at opposite ends of the spectrum). Importing
photographs and carving them into semi-transparent
plastic with backlighting creates a very
interesting photographic effect (see the
website Results page). Carving realistic
3-D photographs into wood takes additional
image manipulation expertise simply because
of the lack of information contained in the
2-D photograph.
Can I import files from other CAD packages?
Currently the software does not accommodate
importing CAD file formats. Id does however
allow for quick conversion of grayscale (or
even color) images to 3-D images for use
on the machine. It simply takes pixel intensity
and converts it to depth. So if you can convert
your designs to grayscale in your design
package then the CarveWright software can
import it. That being said it is a very high
priority to be able to support other standard
3-D formats.
What is the Pattern Editor?
The Pattern Editor is the program that is
included with the purchase of a scanning
probe. It allows scans done on the CarveWright
machine to be imported into the software
and edited before being saved as a pattern.
Simple pixel level editing is possible using
this software.
What is Centerline Text?
Centerline text functionality is another
text carving option that will work with the
fonts installed on your computer. The software
will generate the centerline of the figure
and create the figure width by varying the
depth of the cutting bit. The centerline
text carving is done with a 60 or 90-degree
v-groove bit. The centerline text module
can be purchased from the manufacturer.
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CARVEWRIGHT REVIEWS: A BIGGER PERSPECTIVE
September 1, 2008
Hello all!
This a researched
investigation into
the
reviews that can
be found online of
this
machine, and hopefully
will answer questions
for those of you
considering a purchase.
These reviews are
often referred to
in discussion
forums and are a
common thread in
the emails
we receive from interested
buyers.
Some of the reviews
can be found in forums
where people can
post opinions, questions
and so forth, others
are strictly review
sites that offer
the prospective buyer
some
feedback from other
buyers.
Needless to say they
carry a lot of weight
and often directly
affect the buying
decisions
of consumers.
DATA
We gathered all the
reviews that were
readily
available and read
through all of them
individually.
We discounted all
postings that were
not
based on actual ownership
of the machine.
Negative reviews
based on the difficulty
of learning the software
or learning certain
aspects of the machine,
and experiences directly
related to the lack
of satisfaction with
a specific retailer
were not included
either.
Websites that had
fewer than three
actual
owner -based reviews
were not used.
The primary source
of reviews were in
the
order of appearance
in google:
1. http://www.artisthideout.com/carvewright-wrong
(15 out of 30 reviews considered)
2. http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B000WA7FTC/ref=pr_all_summary_cm_cr_acr_txt?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1 (15 out of 19 reviews considered)
3. http://toolmonger.com/2006/12/28/reader-find-the-craftsman-compucarve/ (13 out of 47 reviews)
4. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00921754000P scroll down and click on reviews. (92 out
of 108 Reviews considered)
The rest of the websites,
and majority of
other forums consisted
of an isolated review,
but mostly speculation
and aspects of hypothetical
ownership. These
included:
www.blogmakezine.com
www.about.woodworking.com
www.talkshopbot.com
www.tuaw.com
www.arboristsite.com
www.woodworkingonline.com
The reviews were
classified as follows:
Positive,
Negative and Mixed
(reviews that were
very
much in favor of
the machine but thought
that some issues
needed resolving,
typically
a three out of five
star rating)
THE RESULTS
Artisthideout.com
resulted in 4 Positive,
7 Negative and 4
mixed Reviews.
Amazon.com resulted
in 8 Positive, 7
Negative
and no Mixed Reveiws.
Toolmonger.com resulted
in 7 Positive, and
4 Negative and 2
Mixed Reviews
Sears.com resulted
in 50 Positive, 35
Negative
and 7 Mixed Reviews.
Total we have 68
Positive Reviews,
53 Negative
Reviews and 15 Mixed
Reviews.
How do these weigh
against the total
number
of Carvewrights sold?
Well picture this:
This company has
sold
over 14,000 Compucarve/Carvewrights
to date.
That means the negative
reviews represent
less than 5 one thousandths
percent of the
total sold.
Here is a representative
Pie Chart:
That is .005 percent.
Conclusion
The feedback on the
internet is not representative
of the ratio of user
experience whatsoever
simply because there
are simply not enough
reviews.
In fact the negative
reviews do not even
outnumber the positive
ones.
Our experience with
the Carvewright as
retailers
has been very uneventful.
Yes we have had
a small handful of
issues and technical
difficulties
reported but as with
any machine as complex
and sensitive as
this, when combined
with
new owner inexperience,
at times will force
an issue to arise.
However with 14,000
machines
humming away in the
country, it is probably
safe to say that
just like any other
machine,
one can encounter
problems, but for
the most
part if used properly
and well maintained
it can and will perform
wonders.
More importantly,
we consider how the
manufacturer
has handled the problems
that have arisen.
As longtime retailers,
having bought and
sold millions of
dollars of merchandise,
we can state that
the level of service
provided
by the manufacturer
of the machine to
the
end user has been
very satisfactory.
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