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A CNC router is an automated router, either wood routers or metal routers, whose toolpaths can be controlled via computer numerical control. It is a computer-controlled machine for cutting various hard materials, such as wood, composites, aluminum, steel, plastics, and foams. It is one of many kinds of tools that have CNC variants. A CNC router is very similar in concept to a CNC milling machine.

CNC routers come in many configurations, from small home-style "desktop" CNC routers to large "gantry" CNC routers used in boat-making facilities. Although there are many configurations, most CNC routers have a few specific parts: a dedicated CNC controller, one or more spindle motors, AC inverters, and a table.

CNC routers are generally available in 3-axis and 5-axis CNC formats.

The CNC router is run by a computer. Coordinates are uploaded into the machine controller from a separate program. CNC router owners often have two software applications—one program to make designs (CAD) and another to translate those designs into a program of instructions for the machine (CAM). As with CNC milling machines, CNC routers can be controlled directly by manual programming, but CAD/CAM opens up wider possibilities for contouring, speeding up the programming process and in some cases creating programs whose manual programming would be, if not truly impossible, certainly commercially impractical.

There are a number of domestic and international brands on the market, most of which are of high quality. Some of the CNC router brands are FMT Routers, Quintax, CMS, CMT, Multicam, Vortech Routers, Thermwood. There are competitively priced machines which many small work-shop owners might find attractive.

CNC routers can be very useful when carrying out identical, repetitive jobs. A CNC router typically produces consistent and high-quality work and improves factory productivity.

A CNC router can reduce waste, frequency of errors, and the time the finished product takes to get to market. For example, CNC routers can perform the tasks of many carpentry shop machines such as the panel saw, the spindle moulder, and the boring machine. It can also cut mortises and tenons.

A CNC router gives more flexibility to the manufacturing process. It can be used in the production of many different items, such as door carvings, interior and exterior decorations, wood panels, sign boards, wooden frames, moldings, musical instruments, furniture, and so on. In addition, the CNC router makes thermo-forming of plastics easier by automating the trimming process. CNC routers help ensure part repeatability and sufficient factory output.

Types

Wood

Metal

External links

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 The CNC router is run by a computer. Coordinates are uploaded into the machine controller from a separate program. CNC router owners often have two [[software application]]s—one program to make designs ([[computer-aided design|CAD]]) and another to translate those designs into a program of instructions for the machine ([[computer-aided manufacturing|CAM]]). As with CNC milling machines, CNC routers can be controlled directly by manual programming, but CAD/CAM opens up wider possibilities for contouring, speeding up the programming process and in some cases creating programs whose manual programming would be, if not truly impossible, certainly commercially impractical.
-There are a number of domestic and international brands on the market, most of which are of high quality. Some of the CNC router brands are FMT Routers, Quintax, CMS, CMT, Multicam, Vortech Routers, Thermwood. There are competitively priced machines which many small work-shop owners might find attractive.
+There are a number of domestic and international brands on the market, most of which are of high quality. Some of the CNC router brands are FMT Routers, Quintax, CMS, CMT, Multicam, Vortech Routers, [[Thermwood Corporation|Thermwood]]. There are competitively priced machines which many small work-shop owners might find attractive.
 CNC routers can be very useful when carrying out identical, repetitive jobs. A CNC router typically produces consistent and high-quality work and improves factory productivity.