To Buy an Affordable CNC Router

To Buy an Affordable CNC Router

Finding an affordable CNC router may seem difficult at first, but there are plenty of ways to stretch your dollar while still enjoying the perks of a quality router. To do this, however, you need to determine exactly what you'll be using the machine for, and how often you'll rely on it for your business. For example, it's easier to find a great deal on an inexpensive 3 axis CNC router than a pricier, more complex 4 axis router.

It's important to set your budget before you start shopping for an affordable CNC router. Knowing how much you are willing to spend could narrow your options considerably, but at least you won't waste time evaluating a machine only to discover that you can't afford it. Determine how much room you have in your budget, and then shop only within those parameters.

Shopping for a used CNC router

The easiest way to save money on a CNC router machine is to buy a used or refurbished machine. This will shave hundreds of dollars off your costs, and in many cases, you'll have just as long a shelf life buying used. Many manufacturers refurbish used routers and sell them at large discounts, ensuring any broken or worn parts are replaced so the unit works well.

While some models are in "as-is" condition, many sellers will also provide refurbished units that have been inspected for quality and also include repairs and maintenance to critical components and systems that absorb the brunt of the daily wear and tear. These components typically include:

-Worktable

- Spindle

- Electrical system and wiring

- Ballscrew, rack and pinions

- Motors and drivers

- Control system

Evaluate the warranty

Even if you buy a new, inexpensive CNC router, it's important that you get a warranty that lasts at least 1 year and preferably longer. A warranty can save you significantly in the long run if you have to replace broken parts or get the equipment serviced by a technician. As long as repair and maintenance is included in the warranty, you won't have to spend extra money.

And when buying used, you'll definitely want to make sure you're dealing with a reputable seller that backs their product with some type of guarantee. An affordable CNC router won't do you much good if it doesn't work when you start using it. Make sure it comes with at least a limited time warranty.

Comparison shopping and purchase considerations

There are dozens of different manufacturers that sell economic CNC routers, but you shouldn't stop at the first place you look just because the price seems reasonable. Instead, talk to at least three different manufacturers or retailers to determine who has the best price.

Note that suppliers may be more willing to negotiate price for refurbished CNC routers than new CNC router machines. Consider making a lower offer and see if you and the seller can come to a compromise.

When shopping around, keep the following purchase considerations in mind:

What's your intended use? And what use has the CNC router machine been designed for -  heavy commercial use or light hobbyist tasks?

Is the CNC machine with software?

Is the router machine under priced? And if so, why?

Does it come with a documented service record? And if so, what does it tell you about the frequency and thoroughness of the maintenance performed?

Shopping for an affordable CNC router will take time, but in the end you'll be satisfied with your purchase if you land the best deal possible. No just considering the price. You get what your pay for. Actually we just want to get a good machine at the reasonable price, and feel free of machine problem headache. As a CNC expert, RICO CNC can help you to find a matched CNC router for your use.

If anything we can help in CNC Routers or CNC spare parts, welcome to contact us, we will give our best suggestions to you.  

What Kind of Job Wood CNC Router Engraving Machine Can Do?

What Kind of Job Wood CNC Router Engraving Machine Can Do?

Some new users do not have ideas about the wood CNC router application, and this limited their creation. Acturally, CNC wood router is a great functional CNC machine, it can do a lot of jobs in our daily life. Now let's talk something about what kind of job wood cnc router engraving machine can do.

Woodworking CNC engraving machine is a product of CNC engraving machine industry, which is processed by the engraving machine generalization of the processing industry into a successful transformation.

In the classification of the engraving machine, CNC wood working machine is specifically for the wood working industry, for example, doors making, furniture processing, kitchen cabinets making, table making, TV stands making, slatwall making, etc.

However, CNC woodworking machine is not just only the processing of wood, but also add other materials and industries such as: three-dimensional wave board processing, cabinet doors, solid wood doors, wooden craft, paint doors, screens, process window processing, shoe polisher, video game cabinets and panels, mahjong table, computer desk and furniture products, auxiliary processing.

Also the CNC wood milling machine can do Plastics Routing, Hard Wood Routing, Panel Processing, Solidwood Routing, Aluminum Milling, Steel Milling, Composite Machining, FRP machining, Composite Mold Making, Alloy Milling, Superalloy Maching, Cabon Fiber Machining, Carbon Graphite Machining, Door, Stair, Window, Custom Millwork and Aerospace Industries.

More sample pictures will be sent, welcome to contact us.

If anything we can help with CNC Routers and CNC spare parts, welcome to contact us, we will do our best to support.

CNC Router Veteran Shares Practical Knowledge Part 2

CNC Router Veteran Shares Practical Knowledge Part 2

 

Higgins came to the sign world in 1993 from the CNC manufacturing industry. With more than 20 years of CNC machining to his credit, he is uniquely positioned with a broad understanding of CNC tools, hardware and software. Higgins is currently the general manager of Capital Letters in Brooklen Center, Minn. and a respected CNC routing consultant.

SignIndustry asked Jay some questions that will help you reach new heights in CNC routing.

Q: How can sign makers more effectively utilize digital printing in conjunction with routed sign parts? Any practical tips there?

A:

Using digital prints in conjunction with CNC routing is a relatively easy thing to do when they are in small formats. The problem with CNC routing a large format vector shape to match a digital print is that the digital printer will often distort the digital print disproportionately so that it does not match up easily with the vector cut shape. Allow plenty of bleed to the digital print, especially when the digital print is printed in more than one run.

Q: How can sign makers more effectively match files together?

A:

File conversion and being able to recognize file extensions are very important "learned" skills. Some filters in design programs shrink, distort, and interpret objects, text, and shapes differently. Example: some .dxf files may look to have complete arcs but are really ploy lines or line segments that might not produce the outline shapes that you want.

Q: What is the best method for realigning a double-sided sign on a router in order to cut out the other side?

A:

I personally like to rout double-sided signs in two pieces and them join them together back to back. This, of course, must mean that the shapes are symmetrical. If this is not an option, scoring an outline in your waste board, or building a contoured jig may be the answer. Dowel pins may be another way of realigning the shapes to the table as well from side to side.

Q: Moving on to finishing techniques, which seems to be challenging to many sign makers coming from a vinyl background, under what circumstances should sign makers pre-paint a blank?

A:

Whenever it is possible to pre-paint a blank, do it. Apply your mask afterwards and rout the images as needed. This will allow you to fill in the areas you have just routed without worrying about slopping the paint all over the pre-painted areas.

Q: What primers work best with various materials?

A:

I prefer to use a latex-based primer with sign foams. With aluminum, I prefer a self-etching primer. For PVCs, acrylics and foams generally do not require a primer, but roughing the surface does help the paint to take hold of the material.

Q: What about work flow strategy? Any practical tips there?

A:

Always prepare for the next job coming down the pike. Group your jobs based upon material, tools, and set up procedures.

Q: Can you offer any other dos and don’ts or practical tips in terms of driving the most creativity and profit out of the router?

A:

Know what you can do with your router and inform your sales staff what you are capable of producing. Nothing is more embarrassing than selling a job for the router that cannot be produced and then changing the layout or materials after the job has been sold to enable you to produce the product. Always insist upon a layout before quoting a job over the phone.

Q: Can you offer some pricing tips?

A:

Because of varying demographics, pricing should be based upon what you can produce and what your competitors can produce. Every job is different, especially for the CNC router. Know your materials and the speeds and feeds you can achieve and base your pricing upon that. When it comes to sign foam signs, $35 to $40 per square foot for finishing is a healthy number.

Q: Lots of sign makers spend their money on the machine, but then don’t invest in the tools. What tools would you recommend as essentials?

A:

Only buy solid carbide or carbide tipped tools. Due to the coolant system found on most CNC's, high speed steel tools generally will not last as long as carbide. The proper size collet for the shank of the tool is a greatly overlooked consideration. The collet size should match the shank size of the tool. Sleeving is OK, but rigidity is lost when this is done and, depending upon the material being routed, this could be a finish and quality concern.

If anything we can help with CNC Routers and CNC spare parts, welcome to contact us, we will do our best to support.

CNC Router Veteran Shares Practical Knowledge Part 1

CNC Router Veteran Shares Practical Knowledge Part 1

Higgins came to the sign world in 1993 from the CNC manufacturing industry. With more than 20 years of CNC machining to his credit, he is uniquely positioned with a broad understanding of CNC tools, hardware and software. Higgins is currently the general manager of Capital Letters in Brooklen Center, Minn. and a respected CNC routing consultant.

SignIndustry asked Jay some questions that will help you reach new heights in CNC routing.

Q: In your mind, what are the biggest advantages for sign makers using routers?

A:

The biggest advantages of CNCs in the sign industry are speed, accuracy and repeatability. CNC's also allow you to custom rout metal forms to help aid your fabricators in the creation of custom shaped aluminum constructed signs. This is a great advantage for modern sign companies. What was a tedious and manual chore of laying out patterns on aluminum and then jig saw cutting to get your custom shape, is now simply a matter of sending them to the CNC router to be cut.

Q: What are the most common mistakes sign makers are struggling with today?

A:

The most common mistake is a lack of knowledge of basic machine principals. Also, the lack of knowledge of how to properly fixture your material to the table, as well as the availability of tools you can use to get the job done.

Q: Would you recommend that sign makers who have never used a router seek more formal training and education beyond what the manufacturer offers?

A:

All people interested in utilizing CNC routing in sign manufacturing should take some sort of course at a nearby community college to better familiarize themselves with some basic machining skills. Unfortunately, very few schools offer this kind of training. I have worked with the Minnesota Sign Association in regard to this matter to bring it to the attention of local technical schools so that hopefully it can be a course that is offered to people in the graphics industry.

Q: How about sharing some practical tips for preparation? For example, which router bits works best with which materials?

A:

Tools and materials are very important things to experiment with. A good rule of thumb: always use the largest diameter tool to rout the job that is allowable, and, always use the shortest flute length for maximum rigidity.

Q: What about router speeds? What speeds work best with various materials, like aluminum, high-density urethane, sign foam, etc.?

A:

Speeds and feeds are directly related to the horsepower motor that you are using, as well as the type coolant system, and the coolant that is being used. A common mistake of most people is to slow down the feed rate and speed up the RPM. Big mistake. Generally, it will create too much heat and thus melt/weld the material.

Q: Which materials respond best to routing?

A:

Some materials are more forgiving than others are when routing. Each material has its own set up procedure and feeds and speeds as well as the proper tool to be used.

Q: Are there certain types of materials that sign makers should avoid when using the router?

A:

Materials to avoid include those that have a great deal of glue in them, certain irons, as well as stainless steel, as there are electrical discharge concerns there.

Q: What do you see in terms of upcoming trends in materials? Are there new materials being designed with CNC routing in mind?

A:

I make it a point to continuously contact my suppliers and the manufactures of sign making materials to see what's being developed that can possibly be used to rout on the CNC router. I have also been selected to rout such test materials to give my evaluation of them. I don't know of too many new materials out there right now that are being developed specifically for the CNC router.

If anything we can help with CNC Routers and CNC spare parts, welcome to contact us, we will do our best to support.

What Kind of Job Wood CNC Router Engraving Machine Can Do?

What Kind of Job Wood CNC Router Engraving Machine Can Do?

Some new users do not have ideas about the wood CNC router application, and this limited their creation. Acturally, CNC wood router is a great functional CNC machine, it can do a lot of jobs in our daily life. Now let's talk something about what kind of job wood cnc router engraving machine can do.

Woodworking CNC engraving machine is a product of CNC engraving machine industry, which is processed by the engraving machine generalization of the processing industry into a successful transformation.

In the classification of the engraving machine, CNC wood working machine is specifically for the wood working industry, for example, doors making, furniture processing, kitchen cabinets making, table making, TV stands making, slatwall making, etc.

However, CNC woodworking machine is not just only the processing of wood, but also add other materials and industries such as: three-dimensional wave board processing, cabinet doors, solid wood doors, wooden craft, paint doors, screens, process window processing, shoe polisher, video game cabinets and panels, mahjong table, computer desk and furniture products, auxiliary processing.

Also the CNC wood milling machine can do Plastics Routing, Hard Wood Routing, Panel Processing, Solidwood Routing, Aluminum Milling, Steel Milling, Composite Machining, FRP machining, Composite Mold Making, Alloy Milling, Superalloy Maching, Cabon Fiber Machining, Carbon Graphite Machining, Door, Stair, Window, Custom Millwork and Aerospace Industries.

More sample pictures will be sent, welcome to contact us.

If anything we can help with CNC Routers and CNC spare parts, welcome to contact us, we will do our best to support.

CNC In The Furniture Cabinets Signs Making Industries Today

CNC In The Furniture Cabinets Signs Making Industries Today

Have you found that Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines are used in just about every manufacturing process today? If you are already working in the furniture making industry, chances are that you will be dealing with CNC at some time or another. In every country, the use of CNC in this industry is increasing all the time.

The first CNC machine was developed in 1951 at the University of Massachusetts (USA) to meet the demands of post war military aircraft production. In 1969, CNC machines became available to the wood working industry. The introduction of CNC machines radically changed the furniture making industry. Time consuming techniques, such as cutting curves, suddenly became much easier. A machine could be 'programmed' to perform several steps at a time, cutting down on the time required for human action. Employers love cost savings!

With the advent of panel products such as particle board and medium density fiberboard (MDF), CNC equipment has now been widely adopted for the production of components for many types of furniture including knock-down furniture, office fittings, kitchens, cabinets and wall units.

In the early 1980s, in response to the demand for quick set up times, the Point to Point borer was developed. This machine was able to deliver small runs (of several pieces only) within a few minutes. It was around this time that the industry was beginning to embrace the Just in Time (JIT) principle of manufacturing and this machine fitted this philosophy perfectly.

Today, there are many types of CNC machines used in the furniture making industry. Modern CNC machines now have routing, boring, grooving, planing and sanding tools and are capable of up to nine separate simultaneous movements on parabolic planes using multiple heads and automatic tool changers.

Multiple heads CNC routers and automatic tool changers CNC centers allow a number of tools to be used on the one component without having to reset the machine.

3 axis relief carving and 4 axis 3D statues sculpturing are now is growing very fast. Now only in furniture making industry, but also in stone carving industry, advertising signs making industry, moulds and dies making industry, etc. CNC application tendency is very good, save labor force and improve the productivity.

 

If anything we can help with CNC Routers and spare parts, welcome to contact us, we will do our best to support.

CNC Router Widely Used in Perforated Boards & Pegboards Making

CNC Router Widely Used in Perforated Boards & Pegboards Making

Pegboard is produced from hardboard and HDF (High Density Fiberboard). Once perforated boards & pegboards are made by CNC controlled punch presses, but now with a woodworking cnc router, it can produce clean & sharp pegboard holes with accurate margins on all four sides. CNC routers allow for varying spaces between rows of holes. Blank spaces are for logos, graphics or design variations, creating a custom pegboard. 

Pegboards make a wonderful wall storage area for the garage. Adding hooks to the pegboard will keep tools within reach, and commonly used tools can be stored there permanently. Pegboards make a great addition for a child's room or playroom. Use hooks for hanging clothes or toy bags. You can paint pegboards in colors as well as a natural wood finish. With the wood CNC Router for cutting pegboard, the edges will be clean and smooth.

Perforated boards and pegboards, these boards are provided throughout over the world for displays, gondola backers, planograms and more. 

CNC Router Advantages to Make Pegboards:

Cut to Size

Route to shape

Custom spacing of rows to allow for logos and graphics

Grooved pegboard to replicate Slatwall

Screen printed for Plan-O-Grams

Not limited to standard hole patterns

As CNC router machine 3 axis can move together at the same time, it is very easy to make any Shaped pegboards, Plan-O-Gram pegboards, Grooved Pegboards (A grooved hardboard panel that gives the initial appearance of slatwall. It is typically used in gondola fixtures or installed as wall paneling).

Also if any interests in Slatwall Cutting CNC Machines, welcome to contact us, more information will be sent.  

How to Handle Situations When a Complicated Carving Process may Run for More Than 8 Hours For CNC Router

Complicated Long Time Carving Never Let The CNC Engraver Run Overnight

How to Handle Situations When a Complicated Carving Process may Run for More Than 8 Hours

For the CNC Engraving Machine, what is the general practice for carvings that take eight plus hours? Do you pause the program and leave everything on overnight and resume in the morning, or do you just make sure there is nothing that can go wrong and let it go overnight?

If it were me and I knew it would take eight hours to run then I would start it first thing in the morning and let it run through lunch and breaks. Although I have heard of others leaving it run, I have too much invested in equipment, building, and materials that time saved wouldn't be worth the risk. If a malfunction occurs and a fire starts in the dust collector or a tool breaks etc. someone really needs to babysit the machine. A broken tool could ruin your part or you may have to start over with a fresh tool, so no time would be saved. Also, if something messes up you won't know where the error is in your program. You could pause like you said but the power is still to the machine. I can't pause and turn off the air compressor because the machine will fault for lack of air and need to be reset. I can't pause and turn off the vacuum because matter can get under the part when it relaxes and not stay put when turned back on. I'd say it's not a good practice to do.

Leaving the CNC router to run overnight by itself should be illegal. Sure, CNC machines especially in the automation industry are designed to be left alone overnight because they have systems that work out scenarios and fixes for anything that could happen. Most commercial machines aren't designed that way. While they have faults and sensors and proxy switches things can still happen that are otherwise totally expected.

The fact that you would risk losing everything in your shop for a carving is ridiculous. I mean seriously, if you can't comfortably run the situation by your insurance company you shouldn't be doing it. Run the program, if it goes beyond business and even reasonable overtime hours then stop the program at whatever line it is at and restart it the next day from that line at your safe z. I just don't see the advantage to letting your CNC router machine run all night, you may get the job done a day or two earlier but is that profit enough to justify risking what you may have spent your life building? I rarely walk away from the CNC router, and if I do I'm within a distance that I could stop it fast enough before something bad happens. I've seen fires started and they are usually because someone isn't watching and listening to the machine. One in particular because the CNC operator decided to let the program run while he unloaded units of plywood from a delivery truck reckless leaving it alone for almost a half hour. The program was wrong (z in the wrong location) and the collet bottomed out on the MDF and started a fire that got sucked into the dust collection system.

Did he really save that much time doing what he did? No. Would have been better to even pause the program with the spindle still on and lock the software than leaving it unattended. Be smart guys. The machine is only as good as the operator/programmer and even that is saying a lot it seems.

To pause the CNC machine or let it run overnight, from this article, I believe you will know to how do with the CNC router engraving machine now.

 
If any interests in CNC Routers, welcome to contact us, more information will be sent.

18 Years Experience Expert Advice on Shopping for a CNC Router for the Small Shop

Experience Expert Advice on Shopping for a CNC Router for the Small Shop

18 Years Experience Expert Advice on Shopping for a CNC Router for the Small Shop

I have owned and used CNC routers for over 18 years, and now sell them. The first thing you should do is thoroughly check out the company. Pull a D&B on them. Why? There is at least one company mentioned in this thread whose owner has gone bankrupt at least twice - closed down, moved and started up again under a new name. You should have confidence that the company you buy from is going to be there to support you years from now. Make sure that the company you buy from has a long history of good financial health. Never invest $40k in a machine and then find that the company leaves you holding the bag when you have problems.

Next, consider the company’s ability to train, help, and support you after your machine is installed. I know too many folks who have machines that are basically collecting dust because they never received the help and training they needed after the sale. I started my company for just this reason. Many local salesmen don’t even know how to turn the machine on, let alone help you with a machining, tooling, or programming challenge. It is critical that you buy from someone who can and will help you through the learning curve and be there as you grow. I have customers who purchased machines 3 years ago that I still go help with advanced applications and machining techniques.

Don’t get a machine without a tool changer. The little extra that an ATC costs is well worth it in the end. Don’t get a machine that is predominantly aluminum. Vibration is your enemy and aluminum does not absorb vibration like steel does. Don’t get a machine that’s built on a bolt together base for the same reason. There is no rigidity and they vibrate. Cut quality, speed, tool life, and overall machine life will suffer.

If you are worried about resale value, you need to look at the big names. These small machines will get the job done and pay for themselves over and over again, but you won’t have much resale value left in them when they are 4 or 5 years old.

Be wary of the machines that come unassembled and you assemble yourself. On the surface it may seem that you are saving money but you are buying a machine to work, not one to work on. It should come to you ready to run right off the truck and you should get professional onsite setup and training with it. Be wary of anything proprietary or closed architecture. The machines I sell run on industry standard g-code. Machines that run on proprietary controls will limit your flexibility and likely cost you more to own in the long run.

Lastly, take the specific brand advice on this board with a grain of salt. Most machines are good machines. Machine owners tend to be loyal if their experience has been relatively good. Most, however, do not have broad experience with multiple brands. The bottom line is that a CNC router should be the best investment that a person can make in their company. If done right, the machine will have an immediate positive impact. If done wrong it will likely sink you.

Rico CNC Router Machines, is the right choice for you.

If any interests in CNC Routers, welcome to contact us, more information will be sent.

CNC Overview, To Learn CNC Knowledge Quickly

CNC Overview, To Learn CNC Knowledge Quickly

What is a CNC?

The term “CNC” is a generic term which can be used to describe many types of devices, this would include laser cutters, plasma cutters,waterjet, engraving machines, milling machine center, wire EDM and others. CNC stands for Computer Numerically Controlled and basically means that the physical movements of the machine are controlled by instructions, such as co-ordinate positions that are generated using a computer.

The term “CNC Machine” is typically used to refer to a device which uses a rotating cutting tool which moves in 3 or more axes (X, Y and Z) to cut-out or carve parts in different types of materials. The information on these pages will focus on what are typically referred to as “CNC Routers” although it would be applicable to most CNC milling and engraving machines too.

The image to the right shows a typical CNC setup with labels for some of the key components and also an indicator showing the 3 axis of movement (X, Y and Z) and their directions in relation to this particular machine. This is just one example and it should be noted there are many other types, sizes, ratios and configurations of CNC too.

What can I make with a CNC?

CNC’s are incredibly versatile and allow you to cut a variety of different types of product and materials. The exact abilities of a machine will vary with size, rigidity and power. Typically most CNC Routers can cut soft and hard wood, plastics, other composites and non-ferrous metals.

CNC users range from hobbyists who build their own machines through to large companies with industrial equipment costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. With the right software a CNC can make a huge selection of things, for example Ucancam customers use them to make the following:

Signage, custom furniture, plaques, trophies, chocolate & cookie molds, awards, folk-art, toys, wall-hangings, plates & bowls, lithophanes, memorials, cabinets, doors, boxes, clocks, religious carvings, panel goods, architectural millwork & moldings, picture frames, mantels, archways, prototypes, remote control vehicle parts, face plates, heirloom gifts, military awards, education projects, movie & theatre props, coasters, chests, bottle totes, pool cues, rustic carvings and many other applications.

How does CAM software fit into the process?

Although a CNC Router is an amazing piece of technology it will not do anything unless it receives instructions. Ucancam software is designed to create the instructions (toolpaths) to tell the CNC how to move to create different types of parts. The specific Ucancam program you use and the method for achieving this will depend on the starting point for a project (idea, drawing, scan, photo etc.) and exactly what it is you are trying to make (simple cut out shape, etched image, 3D carving etc.)

If you’re new to the world of CNC (or computers) then the technical nature of a lot of the information can make it seem like a difficult subject to unlock. In this section, we’ll aim to help you understand the basics of CNC and where CAM software fits into the process along with explanations of some of the most important concepts and technical jargon.

If any interests in CNC machines and CNC spare parts, welcome to contact us, more information will be sent.