|
|
|
|
 Notes
from Forney's Woodshop...
Periodic thoughts about
woodworking, furniture, cabinets and the use of CNC routers...
John Forney is a woodworker in Marion, Ohio who has been in the
business for more than 30 years. John
shares tips,
tricks, jigs, fixtures, techniques and random thoughts about CNC
and the woodworking business.
[Visit John]
|
|
CNCs in Woodworking
In addition to high-volume furniture and millwork companies, novice
and master craftsmen alike are embracing CNC technology in their
workshops. Once a taboo subject in the fine woodworking
establishment, the sheer number of possibilities and advantages that
CNC routing brings to the table is hard to ignore. Craftsmen are
quickly realizing that the CNC process doesn’t jeopardize their
pieces' authenticity; it only adds to quality and uniqueness of the
finished product.
For instance, precise-fitting assemblies that are difficult to
produce using conventional tools can be created on the CNC. Dados,
rabbets, arches, inlays and even 3D relief carvings can be cut
quickly and efficiently using CNC technology. Designs that are too
time consuming or impossible to create using traditional woodworking
tools are now possible. For example, knock-down furniture
assemblies are very time consuming to design and get perfect without
a whole pile of jigs and templates. Instead of physical templates,
the CNC uses digital versions that you create in software. You have
the ability to try out your design and assemblies on your computer
before you cut into your material. You can quickly modify your
design on the computer to adjust fit, or take existing designs and
transform them into new products. With the proper hardware and
software, you can take your existing 2D & 3D furniture parts and
convert them to a digital format that the CNC understands. This
digital version of your parts can be transformed to produce any
number of sizes and shapes of your original design. One furniture
assembly now becomes an entire line of furniture!
CNC Advantages in Woodworking Markets
The CNC process also allows you to quickly and easily tailor your
products to a given sector in the marketplace using a value-added
strategy. Let’s say you create a generic end table as part of your
furniture line that you typically sell at one price point. You can add a 3D
relief appliqué to the same table with little effort and then sell the table
at a significant premium. The appliqué can be any design that you choose depending
on your target customer. The CNC could just as easily add a v-carved
design or border to an otherwise plain panel as well, increasing
your profits with very little effort on your behalf. With a small
amount of creativity, you can considerably expand your
product offerings and increase your customer base.
Arts, Crafts and CNC
Crafts people of many types are also taking advantage of the CNC
capabilities. They use CNC to turn out a higher quality
product, to offer more products to their customers and to create unique
products that competitors may not be able to produce by
hand. The time savings resulting from adding a CNC router also
provides a distinct advantage, even if CNC is only used for initial
shaping of materials or for providing unusual decorative features. This means more time to
think of the next season’s product line and less time invested in
physical labor.
[If you have and interest
in 3D cutting or carving, please view this introduction to 3D
and CNC.]
A Few of the Woodworkers Using ShopBot CNCs
 |
Bella Design
Lucien Casartelli, Macedon, NY
Unique fabrication and limited-edition production |
 |
Elk Creek
Woodworking
Tom & Deborah Twark, Forest, VA
High-quality furniture frames, architectural millwork and custom
woodworking |
 |
Phoenix CNC
Creations
Ron van Gaalen, Tecumseh, Ontario, CANADA
Custom 3D carvings, plaques, signs and architectural millwork |
 |
R & K Woodworking
Randall Ouellette, Vergennes, VT
Custom Production Woodworking |
 |
ChildWood Products
Dick McGuire,
Verdigris, OK
Heirloom Children's Furniture |
 |
Beacon Custom Woodwork
David Buchsbaum, Atlanta, GA
Custom Cabinets |
 |
Country Casual
Ed Goldstein,
Gaithersburg, MD
Teak Garden Furniture |
 |
John Fouillard
Regina, Saskatchewan,
CANADA
Clocks and More |
 |
Burch Company Wood Studio
Warner
Burch, Durham, NC
Custom Furniture and
Interiors |
 |
Country Toys
The Dixons, Olalla, WA
Quality-Built Wooden Toys |
| |
Please
contact us if you would like to be added to this page |
A Recommended Woodworking CNC
Hardware:
It's
hard to specify a CNC tool that will be right for all woodworkers
because the nature of the work can vary so much. So here we specify
what we consider is a basic woodworking CNC based on our
PRSalpha 96x60. Besides a high performance PRSalpha,
this CNC system includes a 4hp spindle. If you will need to hold
down sheet goods or other work suitable for a
universal vacuum,
consider adding a 16.9hp vacuum pump as an efficient hold-down
solution. These components are all
production oriented and will provide fast efficient cutting. Depending on how heavy your cutting will be, you may want to
consider a 5hp spindle for increased cutting power. If you need to reduce the cost of your
initial woodworking CNC, consider a
router instead of a spindle, and
consider a PRSstandard system rather than the higher performance,
PRSalpha.
Software:
The ShopBot PartWorks Suite (CAD/CAM) design software that is included with every
new ShopBot is an excellent way to get started with CNC. This
software will handle many types of CNC design of interest to
woodworkers. For production work where material-efficient
layout or nesting of parts is required consider the ArtCAM Insignia
software that includes extensive design editing and advanced nesting
features. There is a cabinetmaking module that can be added to
Insignia for integration with cabinet design software such as KCDW. If your interests are in 3D work, you can take the approach of
copying existing parts with a digitizing probe in order to create
your cutting files, or you can use 3D design software to create new
objects. There are many choices in 3D design software, but
ShopBotters have had considerable success with ArtCAM Pro, which is
the leading system for turning 2D design ideas into 3D shapes,
parts and patterns. ArtCAM Pro includes Insignia in addition to its
remarkable 3D shaping and sculpting features. Another 3D software
package, Aspire by Vectric, offers full-featured functionality at an
affordable price point.
|
ShopBot Woodworking Tool:
●
PRSalpha 96x60ShopBot
- Includes steel and extruded aluminum table (96x60)
- Includes ShopBot Control System Software & ShopBot
PartWorks
Design Software
- Includes Z-zero Plate & XY
Proximity Switches
●
4hp HSD Spindle
(includes spindle speed controller, priced as 230v, 3phase)
●
Starter Bit Kit (8 useful cutters to get you
started; for spindle or router)
ShopBot Woodworking CNC =
$21,285
Change to PRSalpha 120-60 (10' X 5') Price =$23,785
Add
16.9hp Vacuum
Hold-down system (priced as 230v, 3-phase, regenerative
blower);
add $6,495
Add 1.5hp Delta Dust Collector;
add $1,200
Add Aspire
Design Software for 3D machining/carving; great price as
PartWorks upgrade
[If you're on a real
budget,
read 'Reducing Costs of
your CNC system']
[Click here for a detailed,
printable, PDF version of ShopBot's current price list] |
ShopBot Resources for Woodworkers
Talk ShopBot Forum
ShopBot CNC Resource Links
Web Resources for Woodworkers
WoodWeb
ISWonline
Business Resources for Woodworkers
WoodShop News:
http://www.woodshopnews.com
Furniture Design & Manufacturing Magazine:
http://www.fdmonline.com/
The
Woodworker’s Gazette:
http://www.woodworking.org/WC/gazette.html
Please
contact us if you would like to be added to this page
 |
