CNC Router

Basics

• A Router controlled via CNC
• Allows for the Subtractive Manufacturing of Mainly Wood or Acrylic
• Essentially a much more basic CNC Mill with a much shorter z axis (due to sheets being the main feedstock), and a Router or Rotary Tool instead of a CNC Spindle
• Useful for Wood Prototypes, Drone Frames, and precision wood parts
• Also may be useful simply for automating wood cutting in an affordable way, allowing time to be spent elsewere
• Can cut thicker wood and plastic than most small laser cutters as well
• There is a bit of a Grey Area between a low end CNC Mill and the best CNC Routers
  • Use of a Proper CNC Spindle , Having enough Z-Axis Travel Distance to not only clear Sheet Stock materials, but also Machine Finishing of Castings all seem to be good "dividing lines"
  • Nonetheless High End CNC Mills Can Often Handle "Soft Metals" (Aluminum , Brass , etc)

Industry Standards

Small Scale

• Evo One Their Webpage

Existing Open Source Designs

• Dremel CNC

Minimum Viable Product

• Should be Able to Handle Various Woods and Plastics, as well as composites like Carbon Fiber
• Should be compatible with OTS Rotary Tools and Routers, as well as OSE Designs
• Should Use either the Universal Axis or the Precision Universal Axis
• Should Allow For Air Jets, And Vacuum Chip Extraction (A hose for each)

Basic Design

Frame

• Either Welded Metal, or Metal Extrusions
• Focus is on density, and squareness/levelness/parallelness, this all leads to stability and precision

Router Mount

• A Standardized Plate with Adapters for OTS Spindles

Input/Output Panel

• Air In
• Suction In
• Vacuum Cleaner Output In

Motion System

• 2-3 axis modules for the X and Y axis
• 2 axis modules for the Z axis (Perhaps of a larger variety)

Sacrificial Board + Holder System

• A Board of Cheap Wood is put above the baseplate to allow for some room for error and to protect the surface from wear

See Also

• CNC Mill
• CNC Lathe
• CNC Torch Table
• CNC Multimachine
• Torch Table Preliminary Work