If you’re looking to expand the capabilities of your woodworking shop, a CNC router will do just that. This functional tool is great for carving, routing, cutting to size, and creating rabbets, pockets, v-grooves, chamfers, and dados. What’s more, you can use it with a wide range of materials including:
- hardwood
- plywood
- laminates
- melamine
- MDF
With these machines you can fabricate cabinet parts, frames, furniture, decorative carvings, and mantles with ease.
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) routers have become more accessible to small businesses over the last few decades. Today, they have grown substantially in popularity among individual craftsmen, schools, homes, small shops, and high production facilities. In fact, the market size of CNC routers continues to grow each year, with an estimated revenue increase of 3.6% by 2026.
The accuracy and efficiency of CNC routers far exceeds that of manual routers, allowing machines to cut complex shapes and angles. For example, CNC routers utilize three axis: X (vertical), Y (horizontal), and Z (depth). Plus, the easy-to-learn software used with many CNC routers has cut down on the need for training.
Whether you run a full-scale woodworking shop or operate individually, consider reaping the benefits of a CNC router. Below, you’ll find out how CNC routers work and tips on finding a router to optimize your woodworking business.
How CNC Woodworking Routers Function
Woodworking CNC routers will only work when digital instructions are provided from a computer-aided design (CAD) file and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software. Your product design starts with a CAD file. Woodworkers use CAD software to design products and parts before the manufacturing process. There are generally two types of woodworking models created by CAD software:
- 2D models usually instruct CNC machines to trace objects and cut them out using only the Z axis
- 3D models instruct CNC machines to use all three axis to cut various in-depth shapes
The CAD file then gets translated to G-code via CAM software. Both of these processes must be completed before entering the cutting, shaping, and drilling stage performed by a CNC machine.
Choosing the Right CNC Routers for Woodworking
The right router is critical to your CNC woodworking business, no matter what types of products you create. There is no best CNC router because each one on the market offers solutions tailored to your woodworking designs.
Here are some things to consider when choosing the right CNC routers for woodworking:
Business type
Are you running a home shop, small business, or a high production facility? CNC routers vary in rapid speeds, cut speeds, and repeatability. The type of CNC router you’ll need may depend on the demand of your products and rate of which production needs must be met. CAMaster’s Stinger I router may be suitable for individuals running home shops, while the Cobra Elite CNC Router works best for high production shops.
Complexity of wood products
The complexity of your products depends on the types of shapes, fittings, and details involved. Highly complex wood products that require sophisticated angles may be difficult to produce in high quantities within a short amount of time. This is where a top-of-the-line CNC router would come into play.
Your budget
If you’re an individual woodworker or small business owner, make sure you’re getting a good return on your investment. If CAMaster’s top-notch CNC routers for woodworking don’t immediately fall into your budget, you have plenty of other options. We offer financing options for your CNC router, so you can make installment payments rather than pay in full.
CAMaster is Committed to Meeting Your CNC Woodworking Needs
With a wide variety of routers, CAMaster can help you find the right solution for your CNC woodworking needs. We’re a top-notch provider of CNC routers, machines, and applications.
Contact CAMaster today to request a quote, and learn more about our woodworking tools and applications.