3 Not-So-Common Uses for CNC Routers

Not-So-Common Uses for CNC Routers

There are many creative ideas you can implement using CNC router machines to make your products stand out more.

Even small manufacturing companies that sell the “homemade” touch can gain value from adding a CNC router to their production.

How CNC Routers Can Give Your Products a Creative Advantage

Outshine your competition with quality-added creative touches that add beauty and extraordinary value to your current product line.

You have tried every way to get a jump on the competition. For example, suppose your company produces relatively simple kitchen products like rolling pins and cutting boards. Your products are of high quality, but overall appear similar in value to your competitor’s product. Using CNC routers, you can continue to produce your current products but also add creative improvements.

In this example, adding patterns to your rolling pins with a CNC router improves their aesthetic. What’s more, customers comparing your product to the competition will see they have various choices and designs from which to choose.

Taking the same product (plain) and developing multiple other products (etched, engraved, or cut) gives your company an instant expansion of your product line.

Small Touches Make a Difference

CNC router applications or CAM systems can take your products to a new level. Many types of manufactured products use other kinds of tools, even in “handmade” construction. CNC routers can cut, etch, and carve on a variety of materials.

Here are some everyday products and how a CNC router might be used to add a unique touch:

Wood Products

Take a simple wood product like a canoe oar. By adding trendy nautical décor, a CNC router can take a wooden oar that is beautiful on its own and make it extraordinary.

Jewelry

A CNC router allows jewelers to use precise fonts and consistency to added personalization to customer purchases.

Soft Goods

If your company manufactures soft goods, even with the “homemade” label, a CNC router is simply a tool that helps with uniform quality. If your fabric cuts are unfluctuating and precise, the quality of your stitched product improves.

Stone Products

Stone is used in creating many products in the marketplace. Carved stone bowls and other décor items are trendy. Your products can stand out with engravings, personalization, or custom creative patterns.

We are all familiar with CNC routers being used to make signage, furniture, musical instruments, and cabinets, but there are other uses for these machines that although not so common, they push creativity to the max:

Ice Sculpting

Carving with ice is a delicate technique that lends itself to a CNC router. The two most common types of CNC router for this type of carving are:

  • Flatbed: This type of router has a flat plate on which to place the block of ice, it then cuts the piece from above. This type of machine is suitable for making:
    • sorbets
    • centerpieces
    • logos
    • shot glasses

These machines are available with a variety of cutting depths.

  • 3D: In this type of router the block of ice is stood on end and cut from the front to a five-inch depth then turned around so that the back is cut to the same depth.

Suntory Whiskey used CNC ice sculpting to help sell their brand. Their ice cube-sized sculptures included a scorpion, Super Mario, a shark, Batman, a guitar and the Statue of Liberty.

Stage Props

Whether you’re making props for your child’s school play, or your local theatre’s production, a CNC router can come in very handy. You can use your router for all kinds of props from smaller designs like signs or mobiles to larger props such as furniture and backgrounds.

Pen and Ink Drawing

Artist Mike Lyon has created beautiful pen and ink drawings by replacing the bit from a CNC cutter with an everyday ballpoint pen. The result is stunning. These large images have excellent detail and can also be produced in several colors.

Our experts at CAMaster are renowned for the manufacture of high-quality CNC routers and plasma cutters. We stand by every machine we sell, and when it comes to top-quality CNC machines, technical support, and service, we are second to none. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you with your material cutting needs.

Find Your Perfect Machine from CAMaster

CAMaster is a trusted provider of CNC routers, laser cutters, and router applications. CAMaster products offer a wide range of capabilities suitable for large and small jobs. Consult with a specialist at CAMaster to learn how your creative product ideas can be made possible.

If you’d like to learn more, contact CAMaster to find options for CNC routers and laser cutting for your business.