Applications

CABINETS - Making cabinet components on a CNC router has become a common practice today. The technology of manufacturing cabinet boxes, doors, drawer fronts, shelves and even countertops with a robotic tool is now well within the reach of smaller shops. Using CNC technology, cabinetmakers are now able to increase production throughput, while minimizing material handling. [David Buchsbaum's Cabinet Making WebColumn, Notes from the Sandbox]

WOODWORKING - In addition to high-volume furniture and millwork companies, novice and master craftsmen alike are embracing CNC technology in their workshops. [John Forney's Woodworking WebColumn, Notes from Forney's Woodshop]

SIGNS - ShopBots are used in signmaking to carve images in wood and foam, to cut plastic and aluminum letters, and to intricately machine the all sorts of graphic objects and letters. Full 3D cutting capabilities allow cutting and machining of practically anything. [J.D. Isles' Signmaking WebColumn, Lincoln Logs]

BOATS - Boatbuilding is a natural for utilizing the benefits of CNC technology, and the first ShopBot was developed as a boatbuilder's tool. In boatbuilding ShopBot CNCs are used for cutting frames, plywood panels, and all manner of interior and exterior parts. They are used in wood, fiberglass, and aluminum production processes. [Boatbuilding Guest WebColumn]

INSTRUMENTS - Luthiers of all disciplines can now supplement their traditional woodworking tools with CNC routers. While the CNC may not duplicate all of the specialized processes involved in instrument making, it brings new capabilities that can transform an ordinary shop to an extraordinary one.

MANUFACTURING - ShopBots are used in production, from Boeing's F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet to WoodMode's custom cabinets.  Production operations from drilling and trimming to more complex milling or machining are easily customized and incorporated into cellular production operations.

REMODELING/BUILDING - CNC tools provide builders and remodeling professionals with new capabilities to produce distinctive work. Carving, trim, arches and various architectural forms can be reproduced for remodeling work or created for new designs.

ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK - with the development of powerful and easy to use software and a CNC router, just about anyone can carve beautiful parts, even if they are not a world-class hand carver.

PROTOTYPING & MODELING - A CNC tool can be used in many ways for prototyping, reverse engineering and modeling. As a rapid prototyping tool, a ShopBot can machine foam, wood, plastics, and aluminum to efficiently create prototype and reproduction parts.

SHOPBOTS IN EDUCATION - CNC tools and ShopBots are becoming a focus for new types of technology training in educational settings. As the “traditional” model of vocational training has waned, many school systems are adapting with newer technologies.

Developers/Integrators/Hobbyists/Experimenters/OEMs - If you're a developer, experimenter, hobbyist, or potential OEM customer ... you've found the right place. This page explains various ShopBot CNC Control System modules and components for those interested in creating or modifying their own tools or robots, or for using our systems in manufacturing other products.