What is a CNC router machine?
CNC router machines are operated with a computer system that dictates where the
machine's cutting bits move, this process is known as computer numeric
control, or CNC. Routers are machines that cut wood or other materials
using a rapidly rotating bit, usually around the perimeter of the piece
or even in the center to cut designs and shapes,most of these machines
are quite large.
What is a mini CNC router machine?
A mini CNC router machine is a smaller cutting machine useful for extremely small woodworking
projects or for cutting other small pieces of material. This mini CNC
machine is usually small enough to fit on a workbench or in a small
workspace.
In order to use the mini CNC router, an operator will need to hook a computer up to the system.
This computer must be loaded with the appropriate software to control
the machine, and it must meet the minimum software and hardware
requirements set forth by the mini CNC router factory.
Once the computer is hooked up, the machine can be programmed to move
in a certain path to make cuts on the material to be altered. The
computer is usually exceptionally accurate, so a mini CNC machine is
useful for making the same cutting pattern on several pieces of material
over and over again.
Some mini CNC machine models have the
capability to automatically change bits when necessary. The computer can
be programmed to accomplish this task, though some machines are not
equipped to do this. The operator must instead change the bits by hand
when necessary. ChinaCNCzone hobby cnc routers such as CNC 6040, CNC 6090, CNC 3040, HY-6040, HY-3040 and the machine is therefore not fully automated, as some routers can be.
Bits are changed to create different types of cuts on the material, or
to accommodate different types of material — a bit used on wood may not
be the best choice for cutting plastics, for example.
The cutting bit is mounted to a motor
that rotates the bit at a high speed. This motor is mounted to a trolley
system, which is in turn mounted to a track that moves back and forth
over the machine. The motor trolley can move side to side on the track,
which means the bit can be moved anywhere over the piece to be cut. The
materials being cut will be placed on a table beneath the motor and bit,
and the size of this table, as well as the size of the track, will
dictate how large of a piece can be cut.