The manufacturing world has undergone significant changes, with the most notable transformation being the advancement of machines. Intricate designing and custom fabrication became a much easier job with the help of CNC routers. Previously, tasks that required a lot of time and manual labor could now be completed with just a few lines of code and in a short time, thanks to CNC routers. But what is a CNC router? If you’re looking for an answer to this question, then you have landed in the right place. So, now let’s dive deeper into finding out what a CNC router is and why you should buy a used one.
What is a CNC Router?
A CNC router is a computer controlled cutting machine that uses a rotating cutting tool to design and build different products of different materials. The machine moves the cutting tool across different axes – X,Y, and Z. The machine operates on the basis of pre programmed software instructions, ensuring precise, repeatable, and complex machining works.
How Do CNC Routers Differ from CNC Mills?
CNC routers and CNC mills have similar foundations and mechanics, but they serve different purposes. They also have distinct structural differences. CNC routers are optimized for high speed cutting of different softer materials like wood, plastic, foam, and lighter metals such as aluminum. The CNC routers also feature larger work areas and operate at a higher rotational speed, and they are lighter machines, which prioritizes portability.
CNC mills, on the other hand, are designed for machining of harder materials such as steel and titanium. The high power and torque of the CNC machine help it in machining different demanding materials. The machines also have rigid construction, and can stably handle heavy duty cutting work.
Advantages of CNC Routers:
CNC routers provide a huge advantage in the world of machining and manufacturing. So here are the main benefits that you need to know:
- Unmatched precision: CNC routers are capable machines for intricate and complex designs with micron level accuracy. The designs can be created on the machine, similar to the digital design made in software, with a very fast pace.
- Better productivity: CNC routers are well celebrated for their high speed machining capabilities. They can reduce your production time by several times compared to manual routing processes. Automated toolpaths and high speed spindles are the main reasons behind this increased machining speed and better productivity.
- Better efficiency: The high precision of the CNC routers has been very helpful for the machining shops to be more efficient by reducing material waste. This also helps the machining shops in saving cost, helping in more sustainable manufacturing.
- Versatility: CNC routers can handle different kinds of materials that are soft in nature. Buying CNC routers for your machining shops gives you the flexibility of machining different products of different materials, like aluminium, foam, or plastic.
- User friendly: Modern CNC routers are very easy to operate. They have different new features like automated calibration and touchscreen control, which make it much easier for operators to run the machines.
Drawbacks of CNC Routers:
Like every other machine. CNC routers also have some drawbacks. So here are some of the disadvantages of CNC routers that you need to be aware of:
- High initial cost: One of the biggest barriers to entry of using a CNC router is the high cost of the machines, especially the brand new machines. A brand new CNC router can be highly expensive, making it a bad choice for small shops.
- Noise and dust generation: The high speed spindle of the CNC routers that helps you in increasing production volume is also the reason that causes noise and dust generation. Good ventilation and hearing protection are a must while using a CNC router.
- Material limitations: CNC routers are versatile machines, but they can only work with softer materials and are not very effective with hard materials like the CNC mills.
Why Should You Buy Used CNC Routers?
Now, let us tell you some of the major reasons why you should go with buying a used CNC router over a brand new one:
- Cost savings: The first and foremost reason why you should buy a used CNC router is that the used models are much more affordable compared to brand new CNC router models. For small shops and startups, buying a used machine is a definitely better decision.
- Faster ROI: When you buy a used CNC router at a more affordable price, you are also capable of earning the ROI faster. You spend less upfront, you recover the investment faster.
- Easier to upgrade: When you save cost in the initial price of the CNC machine, then it becomes easier to upgrade the machine with more advanced features with that extra money. This gives you high end capabilities in old models.
Conclusion:
CNC routers are very effective machines for high precision machining work with softer materials. But the machines can also be highly costly when thinking of a brand new model, so buying a used CNC router can be a better option. In case you’re looking for used CNC routers, check our collection of used CNC routers.
