CNC Router Q&A.

Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about CNC Routers

Q. What are Cnc routers? What is a Cnc router? What is a CNC Router? What is CNC Routing? What is a CNC Router Table? What is cnc routing?

A. Cnc routers are automated machines that use a spindle with a router bit to cut shapes from machinable sheet material. The design is created using CAD/CAM software and is downloaded to the machine controller, usually in the form of a G-code file.

Q. What are cnc routers used for? What does a cnc router do?

 A. CNC Routers are used to precisely cut parts from sheet materials such as wood, plastic, aluminium and composites (for example). Almost any machinable material can be processed on a CNC ROUTER but hard material requires a much more rigid machine design. CNC Routers are used for cabinet making, sign making, plastic fabrication, boat building, mould making and many more manufacturing industries.

Q. Is it worth buying a CNC Router? Is a Cnc router worth it? Can you make money with a Cnc router?

A. This is a complex question. Basically, a Cnc router is a powerful tool. Like a spanner or a saw, it will enable you to do a job efficiently and precisely, but it won’t make you a good businessperson. CNC Routers can be greater than 10 times more productive than hand cutting, and it is repeatable and precise. If you already have a product and wish to make it quicker and more accurately, if you want to minimise waste and human error, then a CNC Router is going to be worth the investment. A cnc router will not sell your product or manage your accounts, but it will make your manufacturing process so much easier.

Q. Which CNC Router should I buy?

A. We are biased and believe ART CNC Routers are one of the best in the world.  But as far as the style of machine you should buy, it depends on your requirements. There are literally thousands of Chinese made cnc routers available, but many of these are of poor quality and have a limited life span, little or no support, and clunky controllers. If you are only experimenting with cnc routers as a hobby then this may be an option. On the other hand, if you are needing to run a business then your cnc router will often become pivotal to your business. Get the machine that does more than you need. Once you start using it you’ll find it can do a whole lot more than you expected. Vitally, get the machine that has rock solid support and servicing. Once you depend on your cnc router you can’t afford for it to be out of service for weeks or months which DOES happen with some brands. You are buying into a relationship with the manufacturer, and the right company will be there to help you along your journey as your business expands.

Q. Can a CNC Router cut metal?

 Good quality CNC Routers such as ones made by ART can cut metals very well. This it’s controlled by two main points… Rigidity and Spindle Torque. Hobby style cnc routers generally don’t have the ability to cut metal effectively. They may cut aluminium but it is slow and generally not a smooth cut. The spindles used for metal cutting are usually high power (12kW+) and have 4 or 6 poles (motor construction) which gives higher torque at lower RPM. Metal machining requires this. Lower RPM requires higher rigidity in machine construction. So if you’re serious about metal cutting on a Cnc router the best on the market is the RT router from ART (artcnc.com)

Q. What can a Cnc router make? What can a Cnc router do?

Full size CNC Routers can be used to make kitchen cabinets, aluminium boats and ships, timber signs, acrylic (Perspex) lettering, boat floor decking, aluminium components for automotive accessories, timber furniture, orthotic inner soles, moulds for sand casting and fibreglass, aluminium trailer components, HVAC Ductboard ducting, and much more.

Q. How to use a CNC Router? How to operate a Cnc router?

A. The best way is to purchase a machine from a company like ART that provides full training. Firstly, you will require basic CAD skills to draw your shapes. If you wish to do more 3D type jobs, then a program like Fusion 3D may be a good option for beginners. Once you have your design, it needs to be “Tool Pathed” using CAM software. This is a process of assigning different machining styles to parts of the job including selecting a suitable tool and assigning it for drilling, offset (cutting around the outside), pocketing (removing an area), V carving and other specialised methods. The next step is to export the finished Tool Paths as a G-code file which the cnc router can understand. Load the correct material, set the Origin of the job (often the lower left corner at the surface) and run the job. A machine with ATC will automatically change to the correct tools and complete the job automatically. Each machine has its own method of control so you must follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Q. How does a CNC Router work?

 The CNC machine controller reads a G-code file which is a specially structured list of instructions including various configuration settings, which tool to use, spindle RPM, feed rates, and the actual motion program consisting mainly of lines and arcs with the appropriate coordinates. The controller then breaks the lines and arcs into millions of points at a regular time interval, perhaps 1ms or less, and these are then used to move the motors smoothly through the path described in the file. Depending on the architecture of the machine the position may be sent to motor controllers by using pulse and direction signals, or by some sort of high speed communication protocol such as Ethercat. A good cnc such as ART’s ProfileShop4 controller will give great flexibility with regards pausing and resuming jobs, seamless recovery after an emergency stop, starting a job at arbitrary locations, allowing the operator to modify the job at the machine such as cloning a part, moving, rotating, deleting it etc.

Q. How to build a CNC Router? How to make a CNC Router at home? How to make a Cnc router? How to build a Cnc router table?

Building your own cnc router is possible. there are many groups on the internet relating to this subject. If it is for hobby purposes only then this may be a good option for you. We do however observe that many home built designs severely underestimate the forces involved in cnc machining through the use of inferior geometries, poor linear guides and the use of stepper motors which are sub-par for serious cnc work. If you require a Cnc router for business we highly recommend purchasing a high quality Cnc router that has a proven track record with high reliability, performance, and most importantly great service, support and training.

Q. How deep can a Cnc router cut?

A. This is controlled by several factors. The most common limiting factors are the clearance under the gantry, and the Z axis stroke length. Basically, the tool head (z axis) must have a travel distance more than twice the depth you wish to cut. For instance, if you wish to cut 100mm deep, then you require a tool that is more than 100mm in length. Because routers are generally configured so the collet can reach the deck for very short tools, it also needs to lift high so that the tip of a long tool is above the material. So, the Z axis in this example would need a travel in excess of 200mm plus any clearance for traversing over the material. High quality cnc routers like those from ART have a z axis travel of 700mm or greater, and clearance under the gantry of at least 300mm. This means you can technically cut 300mm deep on an ART RT CNC Router. Other parameters that impact this include the strength of the cutter, the hardness of the material, and the stability of the machine construction.

Q. What Cnc router bits do I need?

Router bits are very specific, and care should be taken to choose the correct cutters. We recommend solid carbide bits only for most jobs. Cheaper router bits have carbide inserts soldered in. These can shatter when they become overheated. The other benefit to solid carbide tooling is that every surface is precisely ground to achieve the desired result. The shape of the flutes can dramatically improve a cutters ability to clear the swarf from the cut which reduces heat. The relief behind the cutting edge also affects the achievable feed rate. The number of flutes is also important. For materials that can melt and fuse easily, such as aluminium, a single flute cutter may be preferable because this reduces the number of times the cutter hits the material thereby reducing heat. A single flute cutter also has a bigger flute for ejecting the swarf more easily also reducing heat. For timber the requirements are often less critical, however we still recommend solid carbide cutters to get a spiral flute which runs much quieter and removes chips quicker. Compression cutters are also available for cutting laminated wood panels such as used in kitchen cabinets. These spiral up at the bottom, and down at the top, enabling a clean cut without chipping the laminate on either face of the panel. Purchasing a Cnc router from a company such as ART gives you access to professional advice and a constant supply of quality tooling.

Q. Where to buy a Cnc router? Which Cnc router to buy? Best Cnc router in Australia? Buy cnc router Australia. Which is the best cnc router?

A. We are obviously biased, but we believe that ART Cnc routers are the best in the world. Click here  to see our range. They have been in development for over 25 years with a focus on continuous improvement. Things that set them apart from others include the large super friendly 3D touchscreen controller that gives you full control over the job. You can move, copy, rotate, delete parts. It can trace physical templates using a laser pointer. It keeps a full tool library with all parameters for each tool. It can support 3,4 and 5 axis machining. The machines themselves are built stronger and heavier than any other Cnc router in the world. The RT router’s bed can be configured up to 21 meters in length (or longer!). It carries a 12-position rotary tool changer as well as custom tool carriers for oversized tooling such as aggregates and saws. The RT router has an optional C axis which supports steered knives and saws as well as aggregate tools for edge boring etc. Rigid Tapping is also available. The RT Router also supports a dot matrix inkjet printer that can print fold lines, part numbers, weld details and more directly onto aluminium to aid with assembly of the parts. It also supports a Rotary axis for cylindrical machining. You can see the 3D toolpath live on the controller which rotates synchronously with the physical job for better visualisation. This is seriously the best Cnc router that money can buy. It’s heavy duty enough to machine solid steel. We have this model out there machining steel day after day.