What Is a CNC Router?
A CNC router (Computer Numerical Control Router) is a router (power tool for processing wood, plastic, etc.) that is numerically controlled by a computer.
Conventional NC routers also performs numerical control, but paper tape or punch cards were used to input numerical data.
With the spread of computers, computers are now being used to generate numerical data, and CNC routers have appeared.
CNC routers have made it possible to repeat the same procedure or process complex shapes.
Today, the terms NC router and CNC router are almost synonymous.
Uses of CNC Routers
CNC routers are used to process wood, plastic, and other materials using a computerized, numerically controlled router.
For example, a CNC router is suitable for the production of tools, prototypes, etc.
When making prototypes, it is often the case that several prototypes are made under different conditions, so a CNC router can reduce the time required to make a prototype by changing the numerical conditions in detail.
CNC routers can perform not only 2D processing but also 3D processing such as drilling, hollowing, and pocketing.
Principle of CNC Routers
Since human-driven routers had limitations in processing accuracy, a router was developed to increase processing accuracy through numerical control. This is the NC router.
However, early NC routers used paper tape to transfer numerical data, which made numerical data transfer time-consuming.
With the spread of computers, computers were also used to transfer numerical data to NC routers. This is the CNC router.
When using a CNC router, the material to be processed (wood, plastic material, etc.) is placed on a table, and the material is processed by computer operation.
Numerical data to be input into the computer are position coordinates (x, y, z) (z for 3D machining) and travel distance. For typical shapes (such as circles), the computer automatically calculates the travel information by inputting information such as radius.
When machining complex shapes, it is also possible to design the machining data in advance using CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) and pass the data to the CNC router to process the material.