Tag: CNC Machine

Picking the Right CNC Machine

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How do you know which CNC machine is right for you? Computer Numerical Control (CNC) has made manufacturing more efficient and cost effective. Choose a manufacturer that is known for craftmanship and has machines that fit your application requirements. When evaluating CNC machines, use the below tips to help decide what is the best one for you.

The Work Envelope

When choosing a CNC machine, select the one that goes beyond the maximum area for your products. Here is an example; if you are looking for laser equipment, pick a laser CNC machine that has a working radius bigger than the largest material you cut.

Size and Weight

The common materials used in the construction of CNC machines are aluminum, polymer composite, and iron cast. Where you need a durable machine for tough jobs, the iron cast is the best build. Other materials are suitable for lighter tasks.

Speed

The speed is also referred to as the feed rate of your machine. Look at the feed rate when choosing your machine. It determines the rate at which you can cut materials during the actual manufacturing processes.

Availability of Support

Like any other appliance, your CNC machine may break down or wear down with use. You should ensure that the brand that you purchase can be easily repaired by your technicians and that the spare parts are readily available. It eliminates the downtime between the time of breaking down to the time that the machine is back on.

Power

Depending on the kind of equipment you purchase, you may need to increase the power available in the workshop. Check the power requirements of your machine and make the necessary adjustments at the workplace.

A CNC machine is rather expensive. Therefore, take the time to choose a machine that will serve you as needed and will last a long time. For more information on choosing the right CNC machine, contact the team at PROBOTIX at 844-472-9262 or email support@probotix.com to find the machine that best fits your needs.

What is a CNC Router Used For?

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CNC Routers are used to make anything and everything. They are a machine typically with 3 (x,y,z) axis, using Computer Numerical Control to do carving, milling, and cutting. The most basic is for cutting sheets of wood and automating the trim process. CNC routers can help ensure part repeatability, accuracy and efficiency to allow mass production or one-off designs. Many users make products using a light industrial or prosumer CNC router which can make a plethora of items, such as:

  • wood carvings
  • specialized signs
  • door carvings
  • frames
  • crafts
  • musical instruments
  • cabinetry
  • gifts
  • furniture
  • aluminum engravings
  • plastic parts

Commercial CNC machines (~$50,000k and up) are used in mass production for industrial applications like making parts for engines, vehicles, aerospace, and medical devices. Hobby class CNC machines are the most inexpensive and primarily used by DIY users making simple carvings that do not require the precision or accuracy of higher class machines.

A CNC machine uses a mount for an off the shelf trim router or a spindle designed for CNC applications. The spindle and tooling can cut a variety of materials, depending on capabilities, such as aluminum, steel, plastic, glass, foam and wood. CNC routers are controlled by a computer running a G-code interpreter called the CNC control computer. The motors on each axis are sent signals through a stepper motor driver (one for each motor). Each driver will connect to a breakout board that sends the signals to the motors out a communication interface, often a DB25 connected parallel port.

Typically a CAD program is used to first create a design, and a CAM program translates the tool paths to G-code program instructions in vertical (z), horizontal (y) and perpendicular (x)coordinates. As with CNC milling machines, CNC routers can be controlled directly by manual programming, but CAD/CAM allows wider possibilities for contouring, speeding up the programming process or creating programs where manual G-code would be impractical.

The human operator selects the machine tool and determines the center point of the part, clamps the part onto the table, moves the bit directly above the marked center and down to the face of the part. This is marked as the origin (starting point) and can also be automated using CAM. The operator selects the run G-code function in the CNC control software, and machine begins to cut the design.

PROBOTIX™ is a leader in digital machining and a domestic manufacturer of fully assembled, tested, and turnkey CNC solutions – right here in the United States. Call us today at 866.492.9262 or email support@probotix.com to chat with an applications specialist to help find the right machine for your needs.

How Much is a CNC Router? Top 5 Price Factors to Know

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How much is a CNC router? PROBOTIX is the leader in digital manufacturing and has sold thousands of high precision prosumer class CNC machines for the educational, industrial, healthcare, and hobbyist markets. In this article we will explore the top 5 factors to consider when purchasing a CNC machine.

 

  1. Work Envelope
    In order to narrow down your search for a router and estimate how much you will need, size matters. Manufacturers vary in their table sizes from 12 x 12 tabletop cnc routers to large scale 5×9 machines. Expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,000 for a small bench-top router and $9,000-$30,000 for a large table that can cut full sheets of plywood.
  2. Manufacturer
    Price is also driven by the manufacturer. Expect to pay a premium when buying from an established brand in the industry especially the 800lb gorillas like HAAS and ShopBot. For Hobby market and Prosumer line CNC routers, name brand or brick-and-morter distributed products such as Rockler, Laguna, Inventibles, and Shapeoko, will add to the price. Buyer beware of Manufacturers who buy their machines from China and rebrand them (ie Laguna) as these products require consumers to sacrifice the craftmanship, service, and support from a true U.S. CNC manufacturer.
  3. Accessories
    Options options options. When factoring the price of a CNC machine, you will need to consider what accessories you need to include.  For instance, a $50,000 HAAS includes a $2,000 option upgrade to turn on rigid tapping function – even though the software already knows how to do it. Prosumer market accessories run between $500-$5,000 additional to machine cost and can include CAM software, dust collection, sensors, laser engraving, stands, and other options. Hobbyist market options run an additional $100-$2,000 depending. Most machines have a base price and a list of accessories or upgraded features that will add dollars to your total cost of a full CNC solution.
  4. Craftsmanship
    Typically you will pay a premium for superior craftsmanship which encompasses the quality of raw materials, machining, assembly, and aesthetics. Prosumer market routers run $3,000-$20,000k, and Professional models run $20,000 and up. Hobbyist market machines will cost you between $1,000 – $3,000. While a good value, the precision and parts are inferior so they will always require a considerable time investment.
  5. Service
    Customer service and support is critical to gain full utilization and peak operating capacity of your machine. In the CNC industry, look for suppliers that have a phone number for sales, tech support, and customer service preferably to the manufacturing facility itself where you can speak with the mechanics engineers designers or owners of the company you buy from. This is rare in the industry, and even more so when you are able to call the source directly and domestically. Look for manufacturers that have a developed help desk, online wiki, forum, phone and support email.

PROBOTIX™ is the leader in digital manufacturing with fully assembled prosumer line precision CNC routers. Our machines are 100% American owned, manufactured and supported. Contact us today at 844-472-9262 or email support@probotix.com and speak with an Applications Engineer to determine the best CNC machine and accessories to fit your budget and production requirements.