8 Essential CNC Router Machine FAQs – Expert Answers & Insights

CNC router machines have become one of the most commonly used CNC machines in the woodworking industry. Because it has high efficiency, good precision, and long service life. The CNC router machine is mainly for cutting, engraving, drilling, and pocketing a wide range of non-metal products as well as soft metals. For instance, wooden doors, cabinet doors, cabinets, beds, office furniture, advertising signs, letters, and foam, acrylic, and other materials.
  If you find this article, you must have some questions and want to know more about CNC router machine. You may first check the table of contents to see if there is an answer you are interested in. Besides, if you are new to CNC woodworking machines and want to buy one, this article will help you a lot.

Table of Contents

• 1. How much does a CNC router cost?
• 2. What’s a CNC router controller
• 3. What software can a CNC router machine use?
• 4. Can I choose to DIY CNC router?

• 5. Is the used CNC router reliable?
• 6. How to choose CNC router bits?
• 7. What is the CCD CNC router machine?
• 8. What are Blue Elephant’s best-selling CNC routers?

You will have a clear understanding of the CNC router machine after figuring out the following 8 questions. These answers can be some of the basis for your choice and use of CNC routers for woodworking.

How much does a CNC router cost?

The prices of different models of CNC woodworking machines vary widely. The CNC router machine price ranges from $2,000 to $50,000 generally. I have written an article about the CNC Router Machine Price before. It gives an approximate price range for different types and uses of woodworking machines. Besides, it also briefly lists several factors that affect the CNC router machine price. Click the hyperlink to know more details.

Blue Elephant does not currently provide the desktop CNC router with a simple structure. For example, a desktop CNC router machine with a table area of 300x400mm or 300x180mm. You may spend only $500 or less to buy a desktop CNC router on some online shopping websites. That’s the reason why our CNC router machine price starts from thousands of US dollars.

All Blue Elephant's CNC routers have a strong and rigid structure and can realize mass production. There are 6090 CNC routers for beginners and home use and also advanced 5 axis wood CNC machine for complex processing. Furthermore, we also have 4 axis and rotary axis CNC routers for woodworking with appropriate prices.

The factory cost of a common 3 axis 6090 CNC router machine is about $2700. And you need to pay more if you’d like to upgrade its configurations. The CNC router machine price of a 5 axis machine could reach $30,000 or more on average. It realizes much more functions than a home use 6090 CNC router machine.

Price ranges for different types of CNC machines

Therefore, it's hard to give you a clear answer to the CNC router machine price immediately. I can only offer general prices ranges, as shown in the table below.

Model	CNC router machine price range
3 axis CNC router	$2500-$30,000
4 axis CNC router	$5000-$40,000
5 axis CNC router	$20,000-$60,000

Nonetheless, the prices ranges in the above are for reference only. The specific CNC router machine price is subjected to the quotation made by our salesperson after negotiation. This quotation is more accurate and includes the detailed price for each specification, instead of a general range.
 
This wood CNC machine for furniture production may cost you over $10,000. But it is worthwhile considering its high accuracy and good performance.

Factors affecting CNC router machine price

Various configurations

This is the most direct factor affecting the CNC router price. Everyone's industry and processing needs are different. So everyone's requirements for the CNC wood router are also distinct. In general, the more advanced the configuration, the more expensive the CNC wood router will be.

Increased international shipping fees

Anyone who has recently made an international trade knows that shipping costs fluctuate greatly. Recently, sea freight has risen a lot than before due to the global epidemic and various other factors. As a result, you may pay hundreds or thousands of dollars more than usual to buy a CNC wood router.

Fluctuating exchange rate

Our woodworking machines are billed in US dollars. Thus, fluctuations in international exchange rates will have an impact on the CNC router price if your currency is not USD. Generally speaking, exchange rate fluctuations are not too large. Therefore, its impact on the CNC router machine price will not be great.

Other fees

The other costs mentioned here refer to some operating costs. For example, maintenance costs, labor costs, software costs, training costs, and so on. Some of them may not be necessary according to the actual situation of different individuals. Although most of the parts of our machines are from well-known brands of good quality, there are bound to be various problems in daily use. Addressing these issues can sometimes add an expense to the production cost of the CNC router machine.

What is a CNC router controller?

All operations of a CNC router machine are under the control of a CNC router controller, or control system. The CNC router controller is like the human brain, receiving, processing, and transmitting various signals. In short, it gives orders to drive the CNC wood cutting machine to complete various tasks.
 At present, the CNC router controller roughly falls into three categories: computer control, handle control and all-in-one machine control.

Computer control

This control method needs to install a control card on the computer motherboard. Besides, it requires installing the corresponding software driver on the computer to control the movement of all axes and the rotation of the spindle motor. You can preview the processing effect through the computer and see the processing track at any time. What’s more, you can correct any program loading error at any time on the computer.

The disadvantage is that you need a separate computer to connect the CNC router machine. But fortunately, the requirements for computer configuration are extremely low. A second-hand computer works fine for customers with tight budgets.

Common computer control system — NCstudio

NCstudio CNC router controller is one of the most widely used systems in the wood CNC machine at present. It has a user-friendly interface, simple and convenient operation, complete functions, and high program compatibility. Meanwhile, it can import various engraving CAM software directly or indirectly.

NCstudio’s greatest features and competitive advantages lie in its high speed, high precision, multitasking, network interconnection capability, and excellent user interface. It can realize three-dimensional dynamic tracking and display of tool processing paths. Moreover, the man-machine interface is easy to operate and intuitive, and it is convenient to find processing instruction files.

NCstudio CNC router controller system has complete G commands and PLT commands. The G instructions cover the complete G and M instruction sets. In addition, it also supports PLT format. So users can directly output PLT format files from AutoCAD software for processing. 
Now NCstidio has launched various versions of different control software and hardware, including multi-axis linkage.

Handle control

Handle control refers to controlling the movement of the CNC wood engraving machine with a single handwheel. This control method saves space and does not need a computer. All functions are integrated into one control panel. So you may press the wrong function keys if you are not skilled in operation.

The handle CNC router controller is widely used in various CNC wood engraving machines (including four-axis linkage). Without a separate computer, it greatly reduces the footprint of the CNC router machine. And it is also more convenient to calibrate the cutter. However, there is no preview function and the interface is not as intuitive as the computer control system.

DSP CNC router controller

1. The handle controller of the CNC wood carving machine is compatible with G codes generated by various CNC router software. For example, Type3, Artcam, Castmate, ProE, UG, Wentai, etc.
2. You can use the handwheel offline without a computer to control the movement of the CNC router machine.
3. There is a large memory space in the handle system, such as 128M which can be extended as required. The handle CNC router controller can save 9 processing files at the same time, and read and process arbitrarily.
4. It adopts intelligent prediction algorithms to give full play to the potential of the motor. It can achieve high-speed continuous processing, synchronization of curves and straight lines, and smoother curves.
5. The DSP control system has the ability to pre-check processing documents and prevent G code writing errors. It can also prevent the placement of materials beyond the processing range.
6. With good self-diagnosis ability, it can diagnose input and output, parameters, pulses, return signals, etc. This can improve the ability of remote maintenance of the CNC router machine.
7. It has a reliable power failure protection function and breakpoint recovery function.

All-in-one control system

With independent integrated design, the all-in-one control system uses the industrial computer, PLC and other integrated control modes. It has rich interfaces and complete functions and can realize multi-axis control and automatic tool change.

The integrated CNC router controller is mainly used for high-end CNC wood engraving machines and machining centers. Its anti-interference ability, as well as other aspects of performance and control accuracy, are superior to other control systems. So, this type of CNC router controller is relatively expensive compared with the above two types.

Common all-in-one control system — SYNTEC

SYNTEC CNC router controller is a completely independent control system. You can copy the created files to the CF card, then connect the CF card to the system through the interface. Or you can load the designs from the computer through the network program. SYNTEC control system can deal with complex machining paths. Besides, as a closed-loop control system, it is suitable for servo systems. Therefore, it is mainly applied to large CNC router machines with servo motors. For instance, large mold CNC carving machines or ones with the automatic tool changing function.

The most widely used control system in the ATC CNC router is the Taiwan SYNTEC control system. 6MA and 6MA are the two most commonly used SYNTEC control system models in the CNC router machine. In addition, the upgraded FC-60WA model is also available. Other all-in-one control systems also include LNC, NCstudio, FANUC, etc. 
The CCD CNC router machine can complete the cutting work with automatic edge detection. It can quickly cut the special-shaped patterns from the KT boards and PVC boards. Let's watch the video below to see how the CCD camera works.
Compared with the ordinary 3 axis CNC router machine, this type of CNC wood router has a CCD camera. Therefore, it can do all the work that a 3 axis CNC router machine can do. In addition, the CCD camera can automatically identify the edge of the images and then cut along the edges. It is with fast positioning speed and high precision. That’s the reason why it is very popular in the advertising industry.

Features of CCD CNC router machine

1. It can automatically generate the cutting path based on the patterns through the CCD system. This saves the time and workload of manual path making.
2. The CCD CNC router machine can recognize and cut large-area graphics. One person can take care of multiple machines at the same time, which saves a lot of labor and is cost-effective.
3. Support a variety of positioning methods, such as feature matching, two-point positioning, multi-template positioning, contour extraction, etc.
4. It is able to complete graphic editing, typesetting, control, and export in a one-stop operation.
5. Support multiple data formats: BMP, AL, PLT, DXF, DST, etc.
6. It can cut printed images with high precision and rapid speed without missing or errors.

Application of CCD CNC router machine

The CCD CNC woodworking machine is the same as the ordinary wood CNC machine. It can cut wood, plastic,PVC, acrylic, polyethylene, plexiglass, etc.

The CCD router machine is widely used to cut or engrave UV, PVC, KT boards, and molds and templates in the advertising, decoration, construction and template industries.

What are Blue Elephant's best-selling CNC routers?

Blue Elephant has been committed to the research and development and production of CNC machines for more than 10 years. More than 50,000 CNC routers for woodworking have been exported to more than 130 countries. There are also many customers who choose to buy multiple times.

According to the different functions that can be achieved, Blue Elephant provides 3-axis, 4-axis, rotary-axis, and 5-axis CNC woodworking machines. In terms of processing materials, we have wood CNC machines, stone CNC routers, styrofoam CNC machines, etc. Each type of CNC machine has different specifications and configurations. If you have special needs, we can also customize the CNC router machine according to your needs.

We will recommend the most suitable machine configuration for you according to your processing needs. For example, the number and power of spindles, motor drive power, table type and size. Besides, you can also add loading, unloading, or labeling platforms, rotating spindle, oscillating cutter, CCD camera, etc.

Nesting CNC router for furniture production

Various types of nesting CNC routers for woodworking are our flagship products. They can be equipped with multiple additional CNC router kits to complete a lot of processes for furniture production. You can choose these kits based on your own processing needs to realize the highest cost-performance ratio.

The nesting CNC machines are the best solutions for the mass production of wooden furniture. For example, cabinets, wardrobes, shelves, doors, beds, etc.
 
This nesting CNC router machine is also equipped with an HSD drill head and a saw blade spindle. The drill head comes with 9 different types of vertical drill bits, which can drill 9 types of vertical holes. The saw blade spindle can process the slotting of invisible connectors and three-in-one connectors. Panel furniture linked with invisible connectors has a better appearance and better stability.
These three automatic platforms are upgraded configurations that can greatly improve work efficiency. You can also choose the CNC wood cutting machine without them to save money.

Wondering how the three spindles work during operation? Check the following video.

Hobby CNC router for advertising use

The 1212 and 6090 CNC router machines are our best-selling hobby CNC machines. They are most popular with small businesses and woodworking enthusiasts. Because of their small size, simple operation, and most importantly, cost-effective.

All three axes of a hobby CNC router can adopt ball screw-driven mode. This ensures the high precision of the hobby CNC router. It can complete a lot of work, such as advertising signs engraving and cutting, relief engraving, acrylic letter cutting, toys, crafts manufacturing, etc.
 
Our hobby CNC router falls into two structures. One is the ground type shown in the above link. The other is the common structure. The biggest difference between the two structures is the position of electrical parts. Worktable of the ground type hobby CNC router machine is close to the ground, which is convenient to load and unload workpieces. But it has no room to install the electrical devices. So it usually has an independent control cabinet. However, the common hobby CNC router has more room under the worktable to install the electrical devices.

Words in the end

This article gives answers to the most asked 7 questions about the CNC router machine. It also simply recommends several best-selling CNC routers for woodworking. CNC woodworking machines are widely used in the woodworking industry. With so many brands on the market, choosing a suitable CNC machine manufacturer is never an easy task.

Don't hesitate to contact us when you still have doubts about CNC router machine basics or want to know more about a certain machine. We are looking forward to your inquiry.