Need high-quality cut and crafted products built at great speeds? A CNC router is the perfect solution for you. A CNC router is a computer controlled machine that can drill, cut, carve and shape materials like wood, marble, plastic, glass, rubber, acrylics and non-ferrous metals like aluminum and copper. You don’t need to supervise each and every step along the way. All you have to do is feed the machine with the design needed and it will cut and carve it out on the given material.

What are the benefits of buying a CNC router?
A CNC router offers several economic and precision benefits. You not only save money on labor but also production time. The new CNC routers are also designed to be accurate to ten-thousandths of a percent. This is much higher than the precision rate of even the most skilled craftsman. The machine however, requires skilled labor to operate it and to create designs using the software. CNC routers are also extremely popular in the prototyping industry. Enabling quick and inexpensive construction of prototypes, CNC allows the production team to identify design errors before they build the final version of the product.

Understanding working of the CNC router
A computer known as the ‘controller’, attached to the CNC router controls motion, design and cutting. To give design instructions to the machine, Computer Aided Design (CAD) software is used. Once design instructions are given to the CAD software, it transfers them as ‘tool path files’ to the PC controller. The controller in turn converts these instructions to direction signals for the motor drivers that create the desired design on the material. The material is placed on the mechanical base which is the main table of the machine. You can hold the material manually or use a vacuum pump. A dust hood or hose at the point of routing collects the debris. In addition to keeping the work surroundings tidy it prevents environmental pollution. The router motors move the axes back and forth to make your programmed cuts on a separate device called a gantry. The cut precision is then evaluated by the drive system and this helps to assess future integration of the finished parts. CNC router bits are a critical part of the router. They come in a wide variety of types and sizes.  Spindles provide the cutting power by spinning the router bits.

Safety Considerations
When operating the CNC router, certain safety precautions need to be taken. You must wear heavy-duty gloves to protect your hands from sharp router bits and edges. Additionally, use ear protection as these machines can be very loud. The CNC router also provides certain safety features like guards and emergency stops. Guards protect your hands when you feed material into the machine. In case of an emergency, you can use one of the emergency stops to completely stop the router.

Buying Considerations

Number of axes:  CNC routers can have between 2-5 axes. The 3-axis CNC router is the most commonly used router and has an 8 feet long X-axis, a 4-feet long Y-axis and a 6-inch Z-axis. Additional axes are available in 4- and 5- axes CNC routers. These enable the material to be rotated around a vertical axis for advanced architectural carvings or mill work. The 5-axes CNC router is primarily used for aerospace and automobile industries. The 2-axes CNC router can be used to design household articles. It is seldom used for industrial purposes.

Type of motor:  The CNC router can be powered by a stepper motor or a servo motor. A stepper motor counts steps to determine its position. It does not give feedback to the computer regarding the motor position. This can lead to errors in complex designs. They are very noisy and are available in limited sizes. Their performance also depends on their speed. At low speeds these motors have high torque but choppy performance. At high speeds the torque is low but they function smoothly. If you want higher accuracy, opt for a servo motor instead. Advantage of a stepper motor is that it needs little maintenance and is less expensive than servo motors.
Brushless servo motors provide regular feedback to the controller. It enables the motor to automatically correct its position, thus minimizing errors. The self correction also allows faster point-to-point speed and increased power. Servo motors are quite expensive and are a relatively new addition to the CNC router. Their use is currently confined to high-end CNC wood-working machines. A servo motor however, requires considerable maintenance and tuning, especially in dusty environments.

Drive system:  The drive system drives the CNC router’s axes. You can choose from ball screw, lead screw and Rack and pinion drive systems. The drive system affects the cut quality and accuracy. For detailed cuts like perfectly round circles and fine engravings prefer the ball screw system. Though highly accurate, it is more expensive than Lead screw and Rack and pinion systems. Lead screw and Rack and pinion drive systems have slightly inferior cut quality especially in positions where the motor changes directions.

CNC router bits and spindles:  For high performance, you must ensure that your CNC router bits are sharp at all times. These bits are sold in groups with different sized cutters to handle various materials. You can choose the relatively inexpensive standard router bits with carbide tipping. These bits also come with the CNC router but are seldom sufficient for the job. You will usually need to order additional bits. Two popular bit options are diamond-tipped or diamond-abrasive bits. Though more expensive, they are highly durable and can be serviced four to eight times before requiring replacement, unlike the standard router bits.
CNC routers have either manual single-cutter spindles or automatic tool changing capabilities. The latter automatically picks up a bit, makes a cut and switches to a new bit while the former requires you to change the bit by hand after making the cut.

Material holder: There are two options available to hold the material to be crafted. You can hold it manually or use a thru-vacuum system. The latter uses suction to hold the material. Thru-vacuum system further assists in automation of the crafting process and is safer for the machine operator.

Machine Size:  CNC routers are available in different sizes. The heavier the material the greater will be the required router size. Additionally, ensure that the floors can take the weight of the machine as these routers have considerable weight.

Before you purchase a CNC router also get acquainted with the software to make sure it is easy to use. Most vendors offer training packages for the same.

How much will you have to pay?

Depending on your requirements, the price of your CNC router will vary. Always compare CNC Router prices from multiple vendors befores selecting the right one for your business. These routers are available in the range of $5000 to over $150,000. You have to pay extra for the CAD software, training, shipping, installation and additional axis. It is also possible to pay extra later and upgrade your CNC router by adding one or more axes. Don’t get enticed by a low base price, carefully consider the upgrade costs too.  Some low cost routers may prove to be very expensive in the long run if upgrades are expensive. CNC router vendors also offer extended service warranties for 5 – 10 per cent of the listed price for each year covered. Most warranties include parts and on-site labor, but may exclude trip fees and other labor costs. To avoid future surprises, carefully read through the details of warranty coverage.

How do I find a CNC router vendor?

Request multiple quotes from CNC Router companies and manufacturers.

You can purchase a CNC router directly from a manufacturer or a distributor depending on your location. The manufacturer may sell at a lower price but shipping may cost more than if you buy from a vendor where your business is located. In case you buy from a manufacturer, ask them to provide you with local support and maintenance options. Local servicing is relatively inexpensive.

If you buy from a vendor, select one who is knowledgeable and reliable. Find out about their experience in selling and servicing CNC routers. Ask for a demo so that you evaluate the machine. If possible, perform test runs on your materials. Not all CNC routers can handle all types of materials. Also test the quality and accuracy of its cuts.
If you are constrained by your budget, consider buying a used CNC router. They come at a large discount, from manufacturers, at auctions or from bankrupt companies. Warranty is critical when purchasing a used CNC router. Ask for at least a one year warranty. 

Take your time to analyze your requirements, prices and the vendors. Always make an informed decision!