Five important tips before purchasing a CNC router, or any woodworking machinery:
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| Cnc Router Machine |
- Before purchasing a CNC router, or any piece of woodworking machinery, to visit existing users and get a firsthand account of the machine and see how effective it’s been for them.
- Another way to gain insight about the machine is by receiving a demonstration either in-person or online. This is the best way to understand how the machine works and see it complete a job.
- Also when buying a piece of equipment such as this, getting the right training is pivotal. Having someone who is trained to operate the machinery and be able to articulate the process of using it to complete a job, can determine whether buying the equipment was the right decision or a mistake.
- Moreover, access to support regarding any problems or questions that arise after buying the machine should be included.
- Before spending any amount of money, know how much spare parts will cost because it’s almost guaranteed that something will breakdown on this type of equipment. Allocating enough money to buy this machine is one thing, but it’s a whole other story when unforeseen damage occurs.
CNC Router vs. Machining Center
Understanding the differences between these two machines is crucial depending on the type of job that is desired. A CNC router is designed to handle jobs that require smaller depth of cuts. This machine cuts with higher RPM’s and can be used on wood, plastic composite, and aluminum. In contrast, a machine center handles heavy-duty jobs that require deeper cuts. A machine center has a rigid frame that can withstand the pressures of cutting thicker materials, and they can cut ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and metal castings. Lastly, it’s important to note that machine centers require
more pre-processing than CNC routers.
more pre-processing than CNC routers.
Batch Processing
This is used when a job demands multiple programs to run consecutively or simultaneously. In addition, it services jobs that will be time consuming or might take longer than expected. In these cases batch processing is able to complete the job with a minimal amount of human interaction.
Knowing the difference between diamond and solid carbide tooling and which blade is used for which material, whether it’s solid wood, plywood, plastic composite, etc. is a key determination when a machine has been chosen. For example, when cutting barca wood using solid carbide tooling is the right choice because if a diamond tip blade is used it will get damaged.
Wood Industry 4.0
The fourth industrial revolution is upon us. It’s taking place at this very moment. The next leap forward in the wood industry is integrating the entire production process from start to finish and automating it. Incorporating robotic equipment is becoming increasingly common among industry leaders.
What’s next? The possible next step in the evolution of the wood industry is data acquisition. This will let the operator know ahead of time how long a piece of equipment will last before it breaks down. The type of data that will be collected is tool usage. The operator will now know ahead of time when a given bit in the carousel or blade will breakdown. It will provide cycles and hours the tool has been in use and the operator can decipher when to replace that tool.
Woodworking machinery manufacturers were queried regarding frequently asked questions on using and purchasing CNC machining centers for manufacturing furniture, cabinetry, millwork and more. Here are their answers.
Q: With all of the CNC routers available in the market today, what makes a CNC router different from another?
A: CNC routers for the most part are built with a lot of similarities when it comes to the mechanics. They all use motors to drive the different axes, steel/aluminum for the construction and have some sort of spindle/router to machine the parts. It is interesting to note that the substantial benefits of a smart router are not in actually cutting parts, but in all the details required to cut parts. Most companies considering a router for the first time do not realize that the vast majority of their cost will not be running the router, but instead, will be in a myriad of details required to run the router. Preparation, programming, hold down, procedures, sorting, scrap, assembly and error handling are the main cost areas. Ordinary routers do not focus on these areas. They rely on the user to take care of them and usually it’s not all that easy. The operator must be both skilled and well trained to work within the limits of these systems. Smart routers address these areas in a big way by utilizing a high-end control. They address the areas where you spend the most money because that’s where you can make the most money. – submitted by Thermwood
Q: What should I look for in a machine ?
A: First you need to thoroughly examine and prioritize your requirements in a machine. The questions you need to ask yourself are “how important to me is precision, finish, productivity, tool life & price?” Raising and addressing these questions will help narrow the field. The price question should be addressed last; it will pretty much answer itself once the other questions are addressed. The day after the machine is put in operation the purchase price is all but forgotten; performance and productivity are the criteria by which this investment will be judged daily, for the rest of the machine’s life. Ultimately the question to answer is what is my cost per part? Have I lowered the cost by increasing quality, increasing tool life, increasing throughput, increasing productivity (reducing the time/labor required to produce each piece)? — submitted by KOMO Machine Inc.
Q: Nested based or cell manufacturing?
A: This requires a review of a series of question, what products are being produced, construction method, production requirements today and future, present equipment, facilities, software and what growth do you envision on for your company, among others. There is no simple, easy answer. It requires a well thought out review with you, your team and your machine builder partner. Anyone providing a simple immediate answer is not looking out for you present and long terms needs. – submitted by Holz-Her US Inc.
Q: How can I process a narrow rail?
A: The vacuum clamping system can be equipped with mechanical clamping devices in place for the vacuum cups on the machine. You can then process the part without any limitations. – submitted IMA
A. The most common question we always heard was do I buy a pod and rail machining center or a flat table router. Now we are most commonly asked: Do I buy a pod and rail CNC machine, a flat table router or a vertical machining center? The great news is that consumer choices have never been greater. - submitted by Stiles Machinery
Q: How difficult is a CNC machining center to program and operate?
A: Nowadays, thanks to modern programming systems it really is very easy to create complex programs. It is all done with interactive 2D or 3D graphics with no manual coding required. The actual machine operation is also much easier than it used to be. For example, our controller has a ‘Smart Console’ hand-held interface which uses a clever context sensitive menu system to guide the operator at all times. It even has a graphical display which provides useful program verification and editing before actual running. – submitted AXYZ
Q: What software should I buy for the machine?
A: When you look at a quality machines you will have enough software on board to allow you just about any design you can imagine. Don’t jump in with both feet and buy costly software packages without even being comfortable with the machine. Once you have run the machine you will understand and know more and then can make a more educated decision on the extra software you might need. Any good machine manufacturer would have contact with the different software companies and most of the time incorporating that software into the use of the machine is not a problem at all. – submitted by Felder USA
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post by : Irfan khan
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