The Difference between CNC Router & CNC Engraving

The CNC router machine and the CNC engraving machine are two of the most widely used machines in the woodworking industry. Even though they are used in the woodworking sector, these machines can be used to work on metal, stone and many other substances. If you are looking to improve the output of your production techniques, it is ideal that you get both of these machines for your business. You should also learn about the differences between these machines so that you can determine the use case for them and then be benefitted from them.

The CNC engraving machine makes use of computer technology to carry out the cutting and engraving process for the manufacturers. The shape that needs to be worked on can be engraved into the hard surface with high precision and accuracy. It is often used for decorating various materials as well as for putting the label of the brand on the surface of different materials. Since the machine works with computer-aided technology and CAD-CAM software systems, it can produce fairly accurate results for any type of engraving work that needs to be done. There are many types of CNC engraving machines that you can find in the market. These include CNC laser engraving machines, CNC engraving tools, CNC router engraving machines and CNC milling engraving machines. Most of the CNC engraving machines that you will find make use of a hot laser for carrying out the engraving process. There are also those that use rotary tools and electric tools for the same purpose.

The CNC router machine is a tool that can be used for the purpose of cutting, milling and drilling materials. The CNC router machine can deliver awesome results for woodwork, mouldings, signage and thermoforming just to name a few. With the help of these machines, it is possible to achieve quick intermittent cuts done at rather high speeds. Many types of materials such as aluminium, wood, plastics, composites and foams can be worked on and processed with the help of the CNC router machine. Additionally, there are some materials like ABS, PVC and polypropylene foam that cannot be engraved with the CNC engraving machine but they can be worked on with the CNC router machine. While the laser engraving machines are capable of delivering better precision during the engraving work, the CNC routers can deliver a speedier performance for most of the materials that are used with them.

The laser engraving machine is typically used for producing items that involve direct laser engraving for flexographic plates, direct photopolymer laser imaging, flexographic cylinders, laser engraving of the anilox rolls as well as for sub-surface laser engraving (SSLE). The CNC router machines are mostly used for producing items like door carvings, wood panels, interior as well as exterior decorations, signboards, mouldings, wooden frames, musical instruments and various types of furniture items. In addition to these, the CNC router machines are used in thermoforming of plastics through automation of the trimming process.