A designer is well aware of the immense effort and dedication required to bring a woodworking design to life. To enhance the effectiveness of your efforts, a sophisticated CNC wood router can provide substantial support.
In the pursuit of expressing your creativity or propelling your business forward, you can always rely on Hymson Laser to deliver your desired computer-controlled wood router. Hymson Laser, a trusted name since 2003, offers a comprehensive range of precise cutting solutions.
This article provides an advanced set of instructions, guidelines, and recommendations that will prove invaluable when selecting your ideal automatic wood CNC machine.
If that’s why you’re here, let’s begin.
Understanding CNC Wood Routers
A CNC wood router is an automated, computer-controlled machine tool designed for intelligent 2D, 2.5D, and 3D cutting, milling, carving, drilling, and grooving on popular woodworking plans. These plans encompass wood arts & crafts, sign making, cabinet making, door making, gifts, modeling, decorations, wardrobe creation, and more furniture making projects & ideas.
This machine tool kit comprises a bed frame, spindles, vacuum table or T-slot table, controller, operating system, software, gantry, driver, motor, vacuum pump, guide rail, pinion, rack, ball screw, collet, limit switch, power supply, and additional parts & accessories.
The Working Principle of a Wood CNC Machine
A wood CNC machine utilizes computer signals as instructions to control movement, timing, logic, and other functions. This control drives the spindle and bits to complete woodworking automation.
Unlike handheld, palm, plunge, plunge base, and fixed base routers, a CNC wood router’s functional software is CAD/CAM. CAD software enables users to create designs for a woodworking CNC machine. Upon completion of this design, CAM software converts the design into a tool path code that the wood CNC machine can interpret. The computer then converts this code into a signal that controls the machine’s drive system movement. The drive system includes a spindle, which stores the actual machine position. The spindle rotates 8,000 to 50,000 times per minute to cut the material. In essence, the user creates a design, and the software generates instructions for the machine.
A 3-axis table kit cuts along three axes simultaneously: X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The X-axis moves the router bit from front to back, the Y-axis from left to right, and the Z-axis up and down. They are used to cut 2D flat woodworking projects.
Compared to a 3-axis machine, a 5-axis machine can cut along two additional axes. These automated, computer-controlled machine tools can cut five sides of a material simultaneously, thereby enhancing the operator’s capabilities and flexibility. Unlike their 3-axis counterparts, these computer-controlled 5-axis machine tools are typically used to cut large 3D woodworking projects. Additionally, 5-axis table kits have a higher gantry and a longer X-axis, allowing them to cut larger woodworking projects. However, if the gantry is higher and the X-axis is longer, the accuracy and stability may be compromised. For proper quality control, the gantry’s height and the X-axis’s length should be limited as much as possible. Although computer-controlled woodworking routers may appear to be simple power tools, they are highly complex technologies that require a certain level of expertise to operate. 5-axis CNC wood milling machines tend to be more expensive than traditional 3-axis CNC wood routers, but they ultimately provide high quality and greater flexibility, enabling users to be more creative with their designs.
Types of Wood CNC Machines
Wood CNC machines can be categorized into three main types:
- Types based on table sizes (work area): These include 2×3 table tops, 2×4 table tops, 4×4 table tops, 4×6 table tops, 4×8 table tops, 5×10 table tops, and 6×12 table tops.
- Types based on applications: These encompass home types, desktop types, 3D types, hobby types, commercial types, and industrial types.
- Types based on axis: These include 5-axis, 4-axis, 4th axis (rotary axis), and 3-axis CNC wood routers.
Applications of CNC Wood Routers
These automated machine tools are primarily used by woodworkers and carpenters for woodworking in industrial manufacturing, small businesses, small shops, home businesses, home shops, and school education. Additionally, craftsmen and hobbyists will also find a computer-controlled wood CNC machine useful.
Here are some of the fields where a CNC wood router will have access:
- Furniture Making: This includes home furniture, art furniture, antique furniture, office furniture, cabinet making, door making, cabinet doors, interior doors, home doors, cupboard doors, table legs, sofa legs, wood spindles, corners, screens, headboards, composite gates, MDF projects, wood crafts, and wood arts.
- Advertising
- Die Making
- Hollowing
- Relief Carvings
- Wood Cylinders
- 3D Woodworking Projects
- Sign Making
- Custom Woodworking Plans
Technical Parameters
- Brand: Hymson Laser
- Models: STM6090, STM1212, STM1218, STM1224, STM1325, STM1530, STM2030, STM2040, STM25120
- Table Sizes: 2′ x 3′, 2′ x 4′, 4′ x 4′, 4′ x 6′, 4′ x 8′, 5′ x 10′, 6′ x 12′
- Materials: Hardwood (Solid Wood), MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard), Plywood, Particleboard, Wood Veneer
- Axis: 3 Axis, 4th Axis, 4 Axis, 5 Axis
- Capability: 2D Machining, 2.5D Machining, 3D Machining
- Control Software: Type3, Ucancam, Artcam, Alphacam, Cabinet Vision
- Operating System: Mach3, Nc-studio, Syntec, DSP, Siemens, Nk200, Nk260, NK300
- Price Range: $2,580.00 – $38,000.00
The Cost of a CNC Wood Router
The cost of a woodworking tool is influenced by several crucial factors, including work areas, features, durability, performance, quality, brand, manufacturer, and customer service.
An average computer-controlled wood machine costs around $3600. Most entry-level CNC wood routers for hobbyists are priced from $2,580 to $5,280, while some can be as expensive as $7,200. High-end wood CNC machines, such as professional wood CNC router machines for enthusiasts, are priced anywhere from $3,680 to $16,000, depending on the machine’s capabilities. Lastly, enterprise and industrial wood CNC machines, which are expensive to own and operate for commercial use, can cost anywhere from $18,000 to $120,000.
If you plan to purchase a CNC woodworking machine overseas, the customs clearance fee, tax, and shipping costs should be included in the finalprice.
How to Choose a CNC Wood Router
When choosing a CNC wood router, consider the following factors:
- Work Area: The work area is the maximum size of a piece of material that the machine can handle. Choose a machine with a work area that suits your needs.
- Materials: Different machines are designed to handle different materials. Make sure the machine you choose can handle the materials you plan to work with.
- Software Compatibility: Ensure the machine is compatible with the software you plan to use.
- Price: Consider your budget. While more expensive machines often offer more features and capabilities, they may not be necessary for your specific needs.
- Customer Service: Good customer service can be invaluable, especially if you’re new to CNC woodworking. Look for a company that offers good customer support.
- Brand Reputation: Consider the reputation of the brand. Brands with a good reputation are more likely to produce high-quality machines.
- Reviews: Read reviews from other customers to get an idea of the machine’s performance and reliability.
Conclusion
A CNC wood router is a powerful tool that can greatly enhance your woodworking capabilities. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional, a CNC wood router can help you create intricate designs with precision and ease. However, choosing the right machine can be a daunting task. Consider your needs, budget, and the factors mentioned above to make an informed decision.
Hymson Laser, a trusted name since 2003, offers a comprehensive range of precise cutting solutions. With their advanced set of instructions, guidelines, and recommendations, you can find your ideal automatic wood CNC machine.