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Dear Customer:
In early 1979, I read an article about pantograph flame cutting machines in an automotive
magazine. The machines looked simple enough, and I wondered why so few small shops
had such a useful piece of equipment. As it turned out, cost was
the reason - the least expensive pantograph units on the market were
priced at about $1,400. That was a lot of money 30 years ago.
To make a long story short, a year later an article on my own Torchmate pantograph machine
appeared in the same magazine. I offered it in U-weld-it kit form, and it sold for
$400. Since that time, so many years ago, thousands of small shop owners have taken
advantage of low cost Torchmate shape cutting. I am very proud of that.
Today, CNC (computer numerically controlled) shape cutting machines have pretty much
replaced pantograph machines and the more sophisticated, but still obsolete optically
guided units. Yet, the cost of conventional CNC burning equipment has been
prohibitively high for the average fabricator.
In 1997 we introduced our own Torchmate CNC shape cutting machines. As before,
we offered them in kit form to help drive the cost of a full 4' x 8' capacity gantry unit
to under $4,000 for a Windows based
system. With virtually all the functionality of machines costing many times more, a
Torchmate CNC machine can more than pay for itself with a single job.
In January, 2001 we offered our new extruded aluminum Torchmate 2 gantry
kit. In September, 2002 we introduced the Torchmate 3, available
in either kit form or as a "bolt-together" finished machine.
Our Torchmate 2 and Torchmate 3 systems have the built-in ruggedness and 3-D functionality to run a
router, drill, or other mechanical tool. Customers are now using it for a wide
variety of jobs ranging from CNC drilling and routing to the application of adhesive on
aircraft wing components.
Many of our customers have built businesses around our machines, and are totally
supporting their families from their shape cutting activities. It is a great feeling
to know that we are touching so many lives in a positive way.
We want every Torchmate installation to be a success story, and we will do whatever it
takes to make it happen. We maintain a close relationship with our customers, and
frequently discuss marketing, web site design, and similar subjects with them. We
often feature customers' businesses on our web sites, and help to bring visitors to their
sites.
Our customers are our most valuable resource, and our machines have
benefited immensely over time from their suggestions and comments.
We have a map of the U.S. that provides a sampling of our customers'
phone numbers. You can call them to get their reactions and views first hand. When
you buy one of our systems, you are not simply buying a machine -- you are joining our
extended family.
Give our customer
service representatives a toll-free call at (866) 571-1066 and let's
explore ways in which a Torchmate CNC shape cutting machine can save you time and
money. There is no longer any need to deny your shop this fantastic process.
Yours truly,
Bill Kunz
President
Applied Robotics, Inc. |
Click on small image above for a view of our new 18,000 sq. ft. Torchmate distribution center in Reno, Nevada.
Part of
prototype dept.
A prototype unit being tested
A run of torch height control lifter
stations in the CNC Bridgeport mill
Torch height control electronics
consoles being assembled.
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