the beauty of CNC cutting it has a fixed time to cut and you can calculate an average reload of machine. Therefore i know how many boards get cut in a day and staff must finish the job before leaving. harder he works sooner he goes!!!

Sorry Alan, just joking, but I won't mind to be part of a MM 'Franchise' We know it's a good machine, the customers know what they want and are happy with the results, but now the customer needs these parts in JHB. Instead of cutting it in CPT and shipping...the Franchise branch in JHB can cut it to the same spec.... for example...saving on transport costs and expanded NETWORKING. The other advantage is sharing cutting files between MM shops...less time spend by each shop developing cutting paths.

Ok Kobus this is another question.My town is not that big and as you know anybody can download drawings for free!In my town I do work for the competition and they all know what I am building as they go in and out of my shop as they want ( bakkie brigade and guys with their own shops but are limited on tools).What if my competition builds another MM in town?
There is already a thermwood, rover 20 and some other german cnc and soon to be one MM super delux model 2008 brand new built by owner.Point is my town would be to small for another MM franchise.

I see your point, but the idea is to have one (1) MM Franchise / area / town. Between the MM owners we share cutting files and cutting ideas and in this way we have the advantage over the competitors that work by themselves. We cut down on design costs...Getting the bugs / cut problems sorted on a new product can take time and if we do it collectively we can save time and money....just an idea.

Gerald if I may ask is it possble to see how many guys have downloaded the plans in SA? I know of some new guys that contacted me for info and they would probably start their own threads soon.Kobus there is probably more MM built then the couple of us that opened threads.

134 people said they were from South Africa when they joined this site. How many of those actually downloaded the plans, or are building, I can only guess. Did once e-mail all of them for offering special pricing/shipping on purchased components and the response was minimal (3?). Don't think there are more than 10 being built outside of Cape Town.

The idea of sharing files has never taken off. Looking at the very active and big ShopBot community, on their forum, someone (always a "newbie") often tries to start some file sharing, but it never takes off. I have sometimes looked at a file that was put up for sharing and have never been able to run it because of various issues. Inches/millimeter, unknown cutter size, unknown holddown method, clamp/screw positions, zero to table surface or work surface, zero to cutter edge or cutter center, home 0,0 corner undefined, etc., etc. Sharing dxf's is easier, but that also has little support.

Exactely...I have downloaded files, but find that I spend lot's of time re-working it to get the final product useful. That is why a group of MM Franchise owners can be so powerful. We all use the same machine, we all use Mach3 and we standardise on the CAM software.

If we standardise to that level (which includes clamping methods), the crux question will become: Will we share and standardise on customers? That decision is not based on our equipment or working methods - that is an ancient question of long before CNC. Farmers drift into, and out of, co-ops all the time.

Franchising is rather different than a co-op. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchising . Here is an interesting extract:

"Businesses for which franchises are said to work best have the following characteristics

• Businesses with a good track record of profitability.
• Businesses built around a unique or unusual concept.
• Businesses with broad geographic appeal.
• Businesses which are relatively easy to operate.
• Businesses which are relatively inexpensive to operate.
• Businesses which are easily duplicated.

That sort of rules us out, doesn't it?

All dependes how optimistic you are....do you see half a glass of water as half full or half empty.

Businesses with a good track record of profitability. ...This will come with time and how well the different shops share knowledge etc.
Businesses built around a unique or unusual concept....The things we can do on a MM puts us into this catagory ?
Businesses with broad geographic appeal.... I am sure that in every city at least we can generate enough leads to keep us busy.
Businesses which are relatively easy to operate....Once we have available files for standard jobs, the cutting part is easy...even with semi skilled people.
Businesses which are relatively inexpensive to operate....Once you have recovered your original outlay to build the MM I believe running costs puts us into this.
Businesses which are easily duplicated...100% correct...once you have a working idea, you duplicate it as many times as you want ..at minimal extra costs.

Just my way of looking at the problem....sorry no problem only a solution .;)

In a "franchise" style of operation, there is one franchisor and multiple franchisees. The franchisees literally buy the franchisor's know-how of running his business as well as use of his trademarks, etc. There is very much a leader/followers relationship and control stays with the single leader. I don't see that happening with general CNC routing where there is no definite product.

It could happen where there are definite products like signs or carved doors, but it won't happen for movie set builders. There must be a strong product line and public awareness of brand image before someone can sell a franchise for that product line.

Kobus, I think you are meaning a "co-operative" and calling it a "franchise"?

Ok Co-op is fine with me...sounds better as well.....working together...

Sean D
Quick question?
Do you use your normal board supplier or do you buy direct from importers if you do know of any importers of board products in Cape town PLease! pm me details. I am looking to buy direct in bulk from importers in the near future.

hi, just a from a plain lumber supplier if needs be. Most customers normally buy their own board

Gerald,
How is the new Mechmate stable coming along? Just wondering how your builds were progressing. I wont ask for pictures. :o:D

The components are basically ready for assembly (all the purchases are now in). Busy laying services: electrical power, dust extraction.

Hey Herald you're finish the machines?

We need pics :)

The parts are made, but they are not assembled. We are looking for a bigger building.

What? A new table almost done and no pictures? :eek::rolleyes:

Sorry Gerald, couldnt resist the temptation to bump. :)

G' - you were re-named Herald - :D

The bigger building is being moved into right now, and 2 new machines are being assembled there before vacating the old premises. It's chaotic - no time for pictures!:eek:

Hoping to see 4 machines in a row soon.

That would make a nice picture. :)

Good luck with your move and new machines Gerald. :)

Good luck Gerald and Sean. Must be a good time too move with all these Public Holiday's we are having :D

Some progress
 

Some progress at the new premises.

(The first two machines are still earning the rent at the old premises)

That looks so cool, nice working space, green with envy...:)

Thats really a nice place and a lot of space to stretch!

RGDS
IRfan

Wow,
That looks awesome. :)

Now thats what I call a workshop!

Gerald,

Fabulous!:)

Looks to be 8 meter (or so) ceilings. Will the roof structure support a beam-hoist?

Gerald,

Lots of room and it will be fun to see all the machine operating. When do you install the dust collections?