It is sometimes most feasible for a woodworking shop to invest in used machinery. Computer Numerical Control or CNC machines such as routers, drill presses, and lathes make it easier to have uniform results during product creation. If your company has traditionally performed all woodworking functions by hand, you may have direct experience regarding end results as production needs increase. Workers get tired from the repetitive actions, and might be experiencing difficulties keeping each piece consistent.
Used CNC machines are types of equipment you can purchase to assist with business growth. New equipment may cost far more than what you have, or perhaps want to invest. Used machinery allows even the smallest company to begin incorporating machines for faster part production. If you have never heard of CNC, here is your chance to gain an initial understanding of the technology behind these devices. It provides multiple benefits, including uniform pieces, increased production speed, and more design freedom.
Woodworking Machinery: Differences between CNC and Manual Equipment
CNC woodworking machinery became available in 1970 as computers were integrated with production equipment. This technology is now intricately weaved into almost every manufacturing process. Large production facilities would not be able to meet extensive customer demands without this equipment. They are designed to replace or work with present manufacturing processes.
Drill presses are a good example for understanding how these machines work. A drill press can be used to create holes in wood and other materials. One worker would be tasked to insert a specific drill chuck into the spindle. Speed of rotation settings are performed manually, along with quill lever pulling for operation. Another individual would be required to change rotation speeds and operate the drill press for every piece. Manual intervention leaves too much room for error.
This type of manual labor may not be a big deal if your company only drills ten or twenty holes a day, but it becomes a problem when thousands must be completed. Fatigue can result from the constant tedious operation of the machine. A drill press is only one example of woodworking machinery.
If your manufacturing requirements are increasing and you are experiencing inconsistencies, this equipment is worth considering. CNC equipment can be programmed to perform necessary actions on all pieces. The design is set into an application program, sending the instructions to the actual machine. Material and design changes can be accommodated by making a few simple changes on a computer. All previously required manual actions are entered, removing the need for most of the physical labor. An operator sets up the equipment to complete a specific production run.
Changes are only needed when a production requirement is altered. In many cases, the loading process for work pieces is also automated. Most devices entail motion control with three axis movements, allowing for both two and three dimensional production designs. Machining centers often have an automatic tool changer, spindle speed entry, spindle activation, and other computerized processes. RT Machine Company can supply multiple used CNC machines to your business at a portion of the new purchase cost. We can help you accommodate assembly increases as your business begins to experience vast growth.
