View source for Desktop CNC Routing and Milling Machines



=Description=

Hod Lipson and Melba Kurman: 

"more established than 3D printers are desktop-sized
numerically controlled (CNC) routing and milling machines. These machines use a
physical blade to cut and carve precise designs into a broad range of materials.
Under the guidance of an electronic design blueprint, a rotating mill bit, sometimes
called a cutter, is spun along by a motor called a router or spindle. As the electronic
blueprint guides the cutter along x, y and z coordinates, the cutting tool makes
multiple passes over the
material to create perfectly
carved engravings or shapes."
(http://web.mae.cornell.edu/lipson/FactoryAtHome.pdf)

Materials:

"CNC routers and milling
machines work with a wide
variety of materials, from
wax to wood to metal to
porcelain. CNC routers and
milling machines are
capable of manufacturing a
broad range of everyday
objects and parts, ranging
from plastic name plates
and printed circuit boards,
to complex 3D objects such
as airplane parts and kitchen utensils."
(http://web.mae.cornell.edu/lipson/FactoryAtHome.pdf)



=Advantages=

Hod Lipson and Melba Kurman: 

* "CNC routers and milling
machines work with a wide
variety of materials

* The upside of desktop
routers and milling machines is that they are precise, faster than 3D printers, and
work with a larger variety of materials. 

* Since computer-guided CNC routers and
milling machines have been in existence in industry for decades, they enjoy a large
variety of available tooling, and a broad and experienced user base. 

* Due to their
speed and precision, CNC routers and milling machines, even small ones, are ideal for
creating large batches of items. "
(http://web.mae.cornell.edu/lipson/FactoryAtHome.pdf)


==Disadvantages==

"However, CNC machines are significantly less
versatile than 3D printers in the range of shapes they can create."
(http://web.mae.cornell.edu/lipson/FactoryAtHome.pdf)



=More Information=

# [[Personal Manufacturing]] ; Desktop Manufacturing
# [[Desktop 3D Printers]]; [[3D Printing]]
# [[Desktop Laser Cutters and Engravers]]


[[Category:Manufacturing]]