LEFT: THERMWOOD'S AUTOPROCESSOR 43 IS FULLY AUTOMATIC, FROM LABELING AND POSITIONING OF THE SHEETS, TO MACHINING AND OFF-LOADING THE MACHINED PARTS. BELOW: CNC-SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS FROM CIM-TECH.
THE PUSH OF A BUTTON CNC TECHNOLOGY IS ONLY GETTING BETTER, SAVING MANUFACTURERS TIME, MONEY, AND RESOURCES IN THE PROCESS BY AMBROSIA BRODY
CNC
machinery and CNC routers continue to disrupt the design and woodworking industries as these machines make creating unique and intricate designs as easy as a push of a button. Uses of these machines are vast. CNC mills are powerful thanks to a high torque, making them ideal for harder materials, such as iron, steel, titanium, and aluminum, although they can also cut other materials like wood and plastic. These machines share the same pros as a CNC router, but they work at a slower speed. But what CNC machines lack in speed they make up for in precision, accuracy, and strength. Whereas, CNC routers are known for their highspeed spindles and ability to cut wood, plastic, aluminum, MDF, and larger sheet materials and non-metals, such as foam. Shops need to consider the pros and cons of each machine and router before hitting purchase. Surface & Panel spoke with a few manufacturers and distributors to get the latest information on CNC machinery, routers, and software, to learn how companies are using this software and technology to their advantage. Gone are the days of “measure twice, cut once,” for those companies that have invested in the power of CNC capabilities. “This time-consuming practice of manufacturing often did not utilize material effectively and led to inaccurate parts,” explained Kenny Belfatto, national sales manager, CIM-Tech.com inc. “Today, assemblies can be modeled in 3D, and efficiently nested onto sheets, to provide the best material yields. With a CNC machine and good
40
SURFACEANDPANEL.COM
CNC-SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS FROM CIM-TECH
BIERSON CORPORATION’S HEIAN 461, PHOTO BY S. MATSU
