Tim's new tool (CNC Router)

[TimK]

Some here know I own a small cabinet shop. Last week, we took delivery of the coolest tool I've ever seen. It's a CNC (computer numerically controlled) router. It's a 3 axis machine which means it will cut in all three dimensions. We use it to cut cabinet parts, but other businesses use them to make carved signs, orthotic inserts, rifle stocks, etc. If you're familliar with milling machines, this is basically a 4' X 8' CNC mill.

We ran our first job on it yesterday (a small kitchen) and it did what used to take us about 50 hours in 4. Yahoo. Needless to say, prices are going down and profit margins are going up!

It's pretty cool to watch, so I posted a video of it running a sheet on youtube.


Link to vid



One of the more amazing aspects is the way the material is held down to the work table. In the vid, you'll see a 15hp vacuum pump that is used to suck the work piece down to the table. The amazing thing is that the vacuum is pulled straight through a 3/4" thick piece of MDF. No holes, no nuthin. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.

Once we get basic operation down, I'll be graduating to goofy hobby projects on the weekends. Ought to be fun.

 

[hayboy]

Re: Tim's new tool (CNC Router)

Mind blowing. A while back there was a link that showed a m/c that took a block of aluminum and turned it into one of the best looking polished cycle helmet you would ever want to look at, untouched by human hands.

 

[Maggot]

Re: Tim's new tool (CNC Router)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tim K</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Some here know I own a small cabinet shop. Last week, we took delivery of the coolest tool I've ever seen. It's a CNC (computer numerically controlled) router. It's a 3 axis machine which means it will cut in all three dimensions. We use it to cut cabinet parts, but other businesses use them to make carved signs, orthotic inserts, rifle stocks, etc. If you're familliar with milling machines, this is basically a 4' X 8' CNC mill.

We ran our first job on it yesterday (a small kitchen) and it did what used to take us about 50 hours in 4. Yahoo. Needless to say, prices are going down and profit margins are going up!







It's pretty cool to watch, so I posted a video of it running a sheet on youtube.


Link to vid



One of the more amazing aspects is the way the material is held down to the work table. In the vid, you'll see a 15hp vacuum pump that is used to suck the work piece down to the table. The amazing thing is that the vacuum is pulled straight through a 3/4" thick piece of MDF. No holes, no nuthin. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.

Once we get basic operation down, I'll be graduating to goofy hobby projects on the weekends. Ought to be fun. </div></div>

And 3 more skilled craftsmen go to flipping burgers at Mickey D's

 

[TimK]

Re: Tim's new tool (CNC Router)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Goldie</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tim K</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Some here know I own a small cabinet shop. Last week, we took delivery of the coolest tool I've ever seen. It's a CNC (computer numerically controlled) router. It's a 3 axis machine which means it will cut in all three dimensions. We use it to cut cabinet parts, but other businesses use them to make carved signs, orthotic inserts, rifle stocks, etc. If you're familliar with milling machines, this is basically a 4' X 8' CNC mill.

We ran our first job on it yesterday (a small kitchen) and it did what used to take us about 50 hours in 4. Yahoo. Needless to say, prices are going down and profit margins are going up!







It's pretty cool to watch, so I posted a video of it running a sheet on youtube.


Link to vid



One of the more amazing aspects is the way the material is held down to the work table. In the vid, you'll see a 15hp vacuum pump that is used to suck the work piece down to the table. The amazing thing is that the vacuum is pulled straight through a 3/4" thick piece of MDF. No holes, no nuthin. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.

Once we get basic operation down, I'll be graduating to goofy hobby projects on the weekends. Ought to be fun. </div></div>

And 3 more skilled craftsmen go to flipping burgers at Mickey D's </div></div>

Actually, at today's competitive rates, I've been forced to hire raw unskilled labor and train them. Ten years of that. In spite of my best efforts, I was never able to pay them what they deserved. Why? Because every other successful cabinet shop has one or more of these machines. Plus, we are in direct competition with imported goods from China.

I have never once had the luxury of hiring a skilled craftsman, but I have created about 10 of them.

 

[Boosted2.0]

Re: Tim's new tool (CNC Router)

CNC is good stuff. We have a CNC mill with a 4th axis attatchment and a CNC plasma table at my fabrication shop. Its a great way to get precision and repeatability.

I discovered teh same thing about MDF when I built my flowbench. You would think the stuff is prety solid, but it passes air like you would not believe. Had to paint the stuff with a couple layers of oil based primer to get it to finally seal.

Version 2.0 is on the drawing boards, and its going to be 100% sealed motors and PVC.

 

[offroadr1]

Re: Tim's new tool (CNC Router)

wish i had known you were looking. could have gotten you a killer deal on a bussalota cnc machine. my dad just retired after 30 years of making cabinets. shut the doors completely and sold all the machinery.

also there are very few skilled craftsmen left anymore. the only ones were ever saw are in their 60's now. the closest person to a craftsman we had recently was in his 30s. he was good, but always room for improvement.

 

[leagle2]

Re: Tim's new tool (CNC Router)

Nothing like having the right tool for the job!!

 

[RollinCoal11]

Re: Tim's new tool (CNC Router)

WOW..... You don't see too many of those in cabinet shops

 

[Maxwell]

Re: Tim's new tool (CNC Router)

I just have to add my two cents. I have been a programmer all of my life and there are a few more skills at which I'd love to become proficient. The first one is to write the code to run a CNC machine, after that to be able to use Solidworks and weld. That is a pretty neat machine.

Maxwell

 

[TCA4570]

Re: Tim's new tool (CNC Router)

Automated machines do not replace workers.
They replace an ex-burger flipper looking to move up!
Make work easier for those that actually have to do it.

vacuum workholding is great.

Shoot me a PM, I have some tool suppliers for you.
I can do that job in two tools.

 

[smokshwn]

Re: Tim's new tool (CNC Router)

So I have to take your word that the machine saves time and money.....but if you don't mind I am going to make my millions by using your video to cure insomnia

 

[Queequeg]

Re: Tim's new tool (CNC Router)

Nice shop Tim and a nice set up for your lay out and cutting.

I used to read about these in Wood Products back when I worked in a small cabinet shop in '93-94'. I knew they made sense for large furniture manufacturers but for our little shop we had a layout program to minimize our cutting waste and the table saw work was done by yours truly! Still have all ten! (fingers and thumbs that is)

Anyway, I wonder how long the cutters last and how well do the CNC machines account for the wear of the cutters and the attendant tolerance changes that follow.

Also, how far do the cutters cut below the surface of the board you are cutting and is there sacrificial material under it? Any tear out issues?

I'll bet you won't be selling your table saws!

Good luck!

 

[TimK]

Re: Tim's new tool (CNC Router)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: queequeg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nice shop Tim and a nice set up for your lay out and cutting.

I used to read about these in Wood Products back when I worked in a small cabinet shop in '93-94'. I knew they made sense for large furniture manufacturers but for our little shop we had a layout program to minimize our cutting waste and the table saw work was done by yours truly! Still have all ten! (fingers and thumbs that is)



Anyway, I wonder how long the cutters last and how well do the CNC machines account for the wear of the cutters and the attendant tolerance changes that follow.

Also, how far do the cutters cut below the surface of the board you are cutting and is there sacrificial material under it? Any tear out issues?

I'll bet you won't be selling your table saws!

Good luck! </div></div>

Tooling last somewhere on the order of 300 sheets between sharpenings. There is essentially zero measurable wear during use, but the tools do get smaller by about 0.020" during sharpening. That's a simple software parameter.

As far as cutting through into the spoilboard, we shoot for 0.004". The bits that do the outline cut (through cuts) are compression bits meaning that they are both down and up cut at the same time. The result is cuts so perfect and sharp they literally cut up your hands. We ran 15 sheets the other day with not one single chip that we could find.

Of course we still use the table saw for solid wood and odd jobs, but it sits idle much of the time now.